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OVER SIXTY YEARS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
HISTORY:
Leagues of Friends
enjoy a unique history amongst healthcare volunteers. Their direct
ancestors were in existence long before the formation of the NHS in
1948. During the first half of the century, with widespread poverty and
deprivation, healthcare in the UK needed strong support from voluntary
organisations such as Hospital Associations and Contributory Schemes,
Ladies Associations, Comfort Guilds, Linen Leagues, etc. These groups of
volunteers not only built and maintained local hospitals, but also
provided directly aspects of care such as clean clothing and laundry for
patients.
When the NHS was
introduced these groups were naturally concerned as to their role in the
new system. Many wanted to carry on helping the organisations with which
they had built such strong links.
Through the help
of the then representative body for voluntary hospitals, the British
Hospitals Association, they approached Aneurin Bevan for the answer. His
reply was immediate - there would always be a place for personal and
voluntary services in hospitals. As a result, fundraising and caring
services would continue to play a role providing extras for the comfort
of patients.
On the 24th March
1949, the British Hospitals Association called an historic meeting of
representatives from Leagues and similar bodies at the Friends House on
Euston Road, London. A motion to form the National League of Friends was
immediately passed with the 45 Leagues present becoming the first
members. The National League of Friends continued to grow as the
movement and it's members expanded. The range of support services
provided by the leagues grew and in turn encouraged the formation of new
Leagues.
In 1961 the title
changed to the National Association of Leagues of Hospital Friends, and
again in 1998 to the National Association of Hospital and Community
Friends, to reflect the increasingly important role of community
volunteers under the League Banner.
From 1952 until
her death in 2002, HRH Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother gave tremendous
support to League of Friends volunteers. In March 2003 the Association
were delighted to welcome her grandson HRH Prince Andrew the Duke of
York to the role of Royal Patron
TODAYS NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION AND ITS MEMBERS.
In 2006 the
association changed its name to Attend and is collectively the largest
voluntary organisation working alongside professional staff in the
health services. Through it's members it provides the widest and most
comprehensive range of care, support and fundraising services to
patients, ex-patients, their families and carers. The Association's 800
plus member groups, consisting of over 160,000 individual members, are
today provided with a wide range of services such as:
· Specialist
Advice, Information and Support
· Beneficial
Group Schemes
· Quarterly
Newsletters packed with information
· Grants
and Awards
· Local
Support Networks
· Training
and Conferences
· Advocacy
and Mediation Services
· All
forms of Insurance
· Networking
peer experience and best practice
· Membership
of the Association is open to all hospital or community based voluntary
organisations that work to improve life for those that are disadvantaged
by illness, age or disability and for their carers and families. Over
the years Attends Groups have become a powerful feature of the
Healthcare system in the UK, composed of 36,000 active volunteers who,
each year provide over 7.5 million hours of dedicated service in today's
NHS.
· Because
groups are autonomously organised locally, their activities are very
much need-based. Friends provide services not only in hospitals, but
also in hospices, nursing homes, supported accommodation, GP practices,
day centres and in the home. Their work supports patients and
ex-patients and those who need extra attention and help, including
people with physical difficulties, bearing difficulties, mental health
problems and older people.
· Examples
of activities and services include:
· Community
based social and support services for disadvantaged people.
· Hospital
shops, Ward trolleys and Tea bars.
· Visiting
and befriending schemes in hospital and in the community.
· Welcome/guiding
services in the hospital.
· Taking
patients to and from hospitals/day centres/surgeries
· Raising
in total £36m annually for equipment, buildings and environmental
improvements for primary care and secondary services.
· And
much more!
· The
National Association's extensive range of services and benefits, direct
practical support and dissemination of best practice appreciably
enhances Attends effectiveness and efficiency. The Association also
provides a collective voice and by acting as a focal point for the
movement engenders a feeling of unity among its members.
· "ATTEND"
IN THE FUTURE
· With
ever increasing demands on the NHS and social services, the
resourcefulness and ingenuity of Attend is already being used to fulfil
new needs in areas such as primary care and social services. This vital
growth of the movement, will be encouraged and led by the National
Association so that Friends will continue to play an integral and
important part in the provision of effective care to those who need it
most.
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