A volunteer, with over 65 years of service to Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL), has been honoured at the Greater Manchester Health and Care Champion Awards.
Barbara Lambert was one of four individuals presented with the Mayor’s Special Recognition Award at the event at the National Football Museum, Manchester, recognising each one for dedicating not only their working lives, but their later lives to helping care for others.
Barbara is currently the Volunteer Chair of the League of Friends at WWL’s Wrightington Hospital, but she also spent her working life at the hospital as a nurse during the same time as Professor Sir John Charnley, the pioneer of the total hip replacement.
Speaking on her experience at the event, and being presented with her award by Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, Barbara said: “It was an honour to attend the event with my wonderful husband and fellow volunteer, Ken, and Laura, Voluntary Services Manager, who nominated me, alongside other NHS staff. It was a complete surprise to learn I had been nominated for the award as I am someone who does not like a fuss - I don't expect reward for doing something I love and enjoy.
“I had only ever seen Andy Burnham on TV before; he was a lovely man and chatted to me about my nursing career and working with Professor Sir John Charnley.”
Barbara continued: “Working at Wrightington Hospital and volunteering enables me to feel in some small way that I am making a difference to people who are often nervous worried and frightened about their visit, operation, treatment. I have the time to spend listening and reassuring patients and relatives and when they say thank you or I’ve helped, that is the best reward anyone could ask for.”
Laura Milward, Volunteer Manager at WWL, said: “Barbara has the biggest heart and is such a phenomenal person always putting our WWL patients and the trust at the forefront of everything she does. We are lucky to have her as part of our WWL volunteer team and this award is so well deserved.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “It is fantastic to have the opportunity to celebrate our champions in health and care here in Greater Manchester.
“I was delighted to present Barbara with my Mayor’s Special Recognition Award, recognising her many years of contribution to health and social care. These people are the backbone of our health and care service. They have truly dedicated not only their working lives, but their later lives to helping others.
“Well done to all our winners and indeed, all of those nominated. Thank you all for going the extra mile and always putting those you care for first.”