The League of Friends at St Heliers
The name of the League was officially registered in 1949, reviving the many charities that thought they were unnecessary in the new National Health Service which was to provide free health treatment from 'cradle to grave'.
The original seed had been planted by farseeing Matron in the mid-1940s, who thought that 'civilians' supporting the hospital 'might be an asset'. Consequently such groups as The Ladies Linen League stepped in, assisting with such basics as 'nighties and knickers'! These were obviously greatly appreciated during the war years when 'get up and get under' became the cry when air raids began - i.e. get out of bed and go underneath it! When the National Health Service was established in 1948, such groups felt themselves unnecessary within a service providing free health treatment, but it quickly became obvious that the new service could never fully cover such an enormous undertaking. Subsequently in 1949, Matron called a meeting one summer evening in out-patients. Some of the original groups were revived and resumed fundraising as one group, with the name League of Friends being adopted in 1952. The instigator of these original plans died soon afterwards, but a group of her friends carried out her plans. The original subscription was 2/6d and there were 12 members.
They followed one basic premise, which was, 'the provision of amenities for patients and staff which could not be provided in any other way'. The first objective was to provide three hair dryers for the wards at a cost of £6 each. The Friends held unofficial Whist Drives and in three months the money was raised. The next and much more costly project was providing curtains around the patients' beds. Hundreds of yards of suitable material and miles of curtain riling were needed. It was an enormous project, but gradually the money was raised and, ward by ward, the fitting took place.
From the beginning, the Friends were greatly supported by the Senior Hospital Staff and the Matron attended all the meetings offering many ideas, one of which was the opening of a Tea bar. A very small area was provided. Literally, an area between two pillars in the out-patients department. A kettle was acquired and hot drinks and biscuits were sold. Later, flowers, confectionary and newspapers were made available. Over the years many developments have taken place. The Friends now have a thriving retail shop, a treasure trove of a charity shop, an extremely popular tea bar and an always bustling office. Also run by the Friends are refreshment services in various clinics, a telephone service,a hospital guide facility in the corridors and a group of volunteer drivers willing to transport incapacitated patients to appointments.
None of this would be possible without the group of incredibly generous men and women of all ages, from teens to nonagenarians who willingly give their time and expertise to the League of Friends within both St Helier and Sutton Hospitals. Wherever you seem to look, the Friends have helped, be it small or large. They have provided toys, pictures and seating in many clinics, blood pressure and ECG machines and rapid infusion units, to really large projects like the MRI scanner, the endoscopy unit and the HDU in the maternity department. All these things, among many others, are very welcome additions to those supplied by an always financially stretched NHS budget and always specifically requested by medical and nursing staff. There are currently about 1,800 members of the League of Friends with about 100 currently working within the two hospitals. All the members are valued and provide much needed financial support. Since the start, over £5 million has been raised and spent on numerous projects within the hospitals.
On the 13th May 2009, the League held its 60th Annual General Meeting at St Helier Hospital, when its celebratory cake was cut by the President June Whitfield CBE.
Created prior to 2011. Updated 2021
The League of Friends at St Heliers benefits from Attend membership, which includes comprehensive charity insurance cover. For more information, or to join, please click here.
