Tuesday 3 December 2024
Carol Knaggs (left) with Pauline Bardy, a fellow member of the elf service.
Hospital receptionist, Carol Knaggs, says she “saw a gap to bring fun and joy” at Foss Park Hospital in York.
She’s praised as “an amazing volunteer who goes above and beyond in supporting the patients”.
At Christmas, Carol throws herself into organising an annual fayre, to make sure it will only be community spirits visiting the hospital – whether that’s for Christmas past, present or yet to come!
Carol is part of a community of volunteers getting into the Christmas spirit
Carol (above) volunteers her free time to bring joy and raise funds at the hospital in York where she works.
Foss Park Hospital provides inpatient care and assessments for people experiencing mental health difficulties or dementia.
Once she clocks off from receptionist duties, Carol throws herself into her volunteer role.
Her current focus, organising a Christmas fayre that will take place at Foss Park Hospital on Wednesday 4 December from 10am – 1pm.
Carol uses her annual leave to volunteer at work
“Sometimes I take annual leave to work on the fayre.” Says Carol.
“I like to bring a bit of fun and joy. It’s something for people to look forward to.”
Like many volunteers, Carol finds meaning in spreading joy.
She says she hopes the event “adds an element of fun and connection, for patients and visitors, away from mental illness”.
Our trust has 248 volunteers. Carol is one of nine who also work at the trust.
Lisa Cole, inclusive community engagement lead at the trust, says: “We have some fabulous volunteers who are staff members, they tell us that they enjoy their volunteering as they get to do other types of roles in the trust often very different to their paid roles, that giving their time freely to help others really feels valuable.”
Community events are the gift that keep giving
Carol Knaggs (left) and Yary Espinoza with Evie the therapy dog in front of the craft stall at last year’s event. Carol decided to put her free-time, plus crafting and cake-making skills, to good use. She says: “I wanted to use my hobbies to bring joy into the hospital and for it to be a shared thing.”
While it’s clear that community events, such as the Foss Park Christmas fayre, have an immediate feel-good factor, there’s a positive long-term impact too.
Last year’s event raised £965.50 for Foss Park Hospital Charitable Funds, used to support patients and staff wellbeing. Which means volunteer organised events provide patients with access to wellbeing-promoting activities such as table tennis, crafts and games.
The fayre is one of many annual events hosted by volunteers in collaboration with patients.
Over the past year, events at the hospital have raised thousands of pounds. As well as giving back to the hospital community, funds from the events have been donated to charities, such as Ukrainian and Turkish earthquake appeals.
Patients work with activity coordinators to create one-of-a-kind crafts
The voluntary effort at the hospital has a far-reaching impact for patients.
Hospital inpatients are always invited to craft for stalls. In the lead up, activity coordinators for Ebor and Minster wards, Rebecca Steels-Hargreaves and Carla Kelly, have been working with patients to produce the crafts being sold.
Activities such as crafting, and community events, provide emotional support to patients who may be struggling with the impact of a dementia diagnosis, or overcoming mental health challenges.
At previous community fundraising events, patients from Ebor and Minster wards have created driftwood trees, reindeers and decorated ceramics.
The crafts are popular and have sold out at previous events.
Hand-crafted items and baked goods are also donated from the wider community, such as Carol and her family as well as other staff and volunteers.
In addition, there’s always a tombola. Carol says: “Local businesses have been kind to give us donations for the tombola and raffle which wouldn’t work without the donations so we appreciate their support.”
Unsung volunteers like Carol help create Christmas spirit across our communities
“At our Easter fayre, people were already saying ‘when’s the next event’” says Carol. And this sentiment taps into something important.
Efforts and time given by people voluntarily may be overlooked and taken for granted. However, it’s these things that can have a beneficial impact on the mental wellbeing of communities.
Lisa Cole, inclusive community engagement lead in the voluntary services team at the trust, said:
“Carol is an amazing volunteer, she is so generous working for the trust and is willing to give her free time to help improve the experience of patients and their families at Foss Park.”
Ramatoulie Saidykhan, voluntary services coordinator at the trust, adds: “Carol goes above and beyond in supporting the patients. She helps with the preparation and running of the Foss Park Hospital Activity evenings to help run them smoothly.”
“Carol also helps with organising other activities such as baking within the wards. Carol, in her capacity as a staff also helps with doing ID checks for newly recruited volunteers and they all feedback how nice and welcoming she is when they first meet her.”
Patients, family, friends and staff are welcome to attend this year’s Christmas fayre at Foss Park Hospital. It takes place on Wednesday 4 December from 10am – 1pm.
