Articles and Speeches

Help from Edward VII
04-Aug-06, Windsor Express Article.

Last week I visited the King Edward VII Hospital in Windsor. It was may job to serve refreshments to patients and it was an uplifting experience as I witnessed once again the great contribution made by staff and volunteers alike.

I was pleased to be offered a tour of the Helena Day Ward which is unique and special to me. It is the only ward in the area to provide care for some of our most vulnerable and elderly people, many of whom are suffering with mental health challenges. It was fulfilling to see a group of elderly people learning to enjoying physical activity and socialising once again and, above all, some respite from their isolation in the armchair at home. It is no wonder that so many people have been determined to keep the ward open despite numerous threats from Whitehall and they can count me among their number.

The hospital volunteers give freely of their time and energy so that a hospital stay becomes more pleasurable experience in the presence of flowers and art from the fundraising activities they undertake. I have previously written about the good will of voluntary workers who quite often find themselves taking up the slack where the state falls short. So I was delighted to have this view reaffirmed by the volunteers at the hospital on my visit. I commend them, and the hard-working staff, for the valuable work that they do.