OVER FIFTY YEARS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOSPITAL & COMMUNITY FRIENDS.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
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 and Brick Leagues. 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.
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.
TODAYS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AND ITS MEMBERS.
In 2001 the National Association 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:
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 our Member Friends 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 Friends 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 Friends activities and services include:
The National Association's extensive range of services and benefits, direct practical support and dissemination of best practice appreciably enhances Friend's effectiveness and efficiency. The Association also provides a collective voice and by acting as a focal point for the Friends movement engenders a feeling of unity among its members.
"FRIENDS" IN THE FUTURE
With ever increasing demands on the NHS and social services, the resourcefulness and ingenuity of Friends 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.