Meet the team
Sarah Amexheta, Head of Charity
I am very proud to head up an incredible Charity. Every day we are lucky enough to meet people that wish to connect with us, it is a privilege to get to know our supporters and their reasons for giving. In addition to raising funds to support items above and beyond, we also run the volunteering program across the hospital. Whether you give time or money to support us, we are incredibly grateful, thank you!
Charmaine Norrish, Deputy Fundraising Manager
Charmaine.Norrish@ldh.nhs.uk, 01582 718978
As the Deputy Fundraising Manager I have the opportunity to be a part of the expanding fundraising team in an amazing local community charity. I have a retail and fundraising background, and feel very lucky to be living and working in such a diverse community. Part of my role is supporting the Corporate and Business community with fundraising and have worked with some wonderful local businesses in the last year and hope to expand our reach within this community. I always look forward to meeting our supporters and hearing their reasons for giving. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Karen Bush, Voluntary Services and Community Engagement Manager
Karen.Bush@ldh.nhs.uk 01582 497357
I’ve had the privilege of managing our volunteers for the last seven years and never cease to be humbled by the amazing people that I meet on a day to day basis. I am also part of the National Association of Voluntary Services Managers ( NAVSM) NEC, working to promote and support best practice in Voluntary Services Management across the NHS.Whether people give their time or donations, we are incredibly grateful to our amazing community for the support that is given to your hospital. If you would like to volunteer here, please get in touch , we would love to hear from you.
Deborah Allman, Voluntary Services Manager
Deborah.allman@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk 01234 795801
As Voluntary Services Manager, I am privileged to work with a fantastic team of volunteers – people from all sectors of our diverse local community who give their time to support patients, visitors and staff at the hospital. From offering a friendly welcome and wayfinding to helping ward meal service and supporting families when a loved one is nearing the end of their life, our volunteers are ready to help.It’s amazing what a difference a smile and a chat can make to everyone’s day in the hospital environment and the best reward is when they tell me it’s ‘the best thing they’ve ever done’. Our volunteers are a joy to work with.
Donna Pratt, Charity Hub Manager at L&D Hospital
Donna.Pratt3@ldh.nhs.uk 01582 497439/07800 711 370
The Charity have a shop based in the Maternity Unit at the L&D which I have the wonderful job of managing. The shop is growing every day and we will soon be launching a trolley service and an online shop alongside what we currently do. This is very exciting and will be a huge asset to the shop services.
The shop is a great place to work and the ideal place to promote the Charity and all that we do. I feel very proud and privileged to work for such an amazing charity, and with an incredible team.
Part of my role in managing the shop is working with an amazing group of volunteers who give up their time to support us. We are always looking for new volunteers. If you are over the age of 18 and would like to volunteer in either our shop or for the trolley service please get in touch.
Mhairi Emery, Volunteer Co-ordinator
I am the Volunteer Co-ordinator for the hospital and also lead on the student volunteering programme we have in place with a number of local schools. I am lucky to work alongside amazing people who donate their time to support the hospital and can see the enormous benefit volunteers have on our patients and staff.
Rachel Coakley, Grants and Trusts Manager
I re-joined the Fundraising team as the Grants and Trusts Manager and I am delighted to work with our brilliant supporters to raise vital funds for our hospitals and staff. I work with Charitable Trusts and Foundations who support a wide range of projects within the hospital and enable us to provide equipment and services that go over and above NHS provision. I’m looking forward to sharing more about our upcoming appeals and projects with our supporters.
Aakifah Begum, Grants and Trusts Officer
Aakifah.Begum4@ldh.nhs.uk 01582 718977
I am the Grants and Trusts Officer at the Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity. Through my role here at the Charity, I focus on supporting incredible projects through fundraising. It is a joy to work for the Charity and a team committed to establishing the best healing environment for patients, their families and friends.
Sabine Hazell, Schools Partnership Coordinator
As the Schools Partnership Coordinator for the Charity Team I am very lucky to meet people from lots of fantastic schools, colleges and universities, I have been amazed by the support we receive. I look forward to continuing the fantastic relationships that have been built and creating new ones. If you would like to book a visit for me to come and talk to your students about how you get involved and how we can work together to support the hospital Charity please get in touch.
Isabella Gilmore, Digital Community Fundraiser
Isabella.Gilmore@ldh.nhs.uk 07870 856981
As the Digital Community Fundraiser my role is to spread awareness of the Charity among the community, whether that be virtually (via various online platforms), or in person at different events, I will help to promote us to wider audiences, informing supporters of what we do as well as trying to raise vital funds that go above and beyond NHS Provisions! I will assist in all aspects of the charity including public engagement, helping promote any new projects or developments and supporting the day to day activities within the charity. This will also including creating, organising and co-ordinating my own events. It is an amazing role and I feel honoured to work for such an amazing charity. If you would like to support your local hospitals but not too sure where to start, please contact me!
Stephen Butcher, Charity Team Administrator
Stephen.butcher@ldh.nhs.uk 01234 795801
For me, volunteering has led to some very rewarding work and employment at the hospital. I have helped the team on the Critical Care Unit at Bedford Hospital as well as the Fundraising and Donations Team during the COVID-19 pandemic, gaining knowledge and experience in the hospital and seeing the dedication and commitment of staff at its very best.My role now centres around administration activities supporting both charity and voluntary services. My drive and passion, working within a truly dynamic focused team, is to administer the day-to-day tasks that bring efficiency, allowing others to focus on the delivery of welfare improvements to patients, staff, and visitors alike. Being part of such a caring team is a real privilege and a true blessing.
Angie Williams, Charity Hub Assistant
I began volunteering in the Charity Hub Shop, located within the Maternity Unit at the L&D, in November 2020. I have loved every moment and realised I had wasted 2 years of my retirement not really doing much! In March 2021, the permanent part time position of Charity Hub Assistant was advertised and I did not hesitate in applying. I was fortunate to be successful and I am now working as a permanent part of the Charity Team. It has been quite a transition from working in the shop to becoming an assistant supporting the shop and volunteers. The work is varied and involves sandwich and drinks ordering, keeping the Costa machine clean and topped up, as well as keeping check on stock supplies for re-ordering. I still help out in the shop from time to time but the varied work keeps me busy and I’m still loving it. Do not let obstacles get in the way from doing what your heart tells you to do. There are opportunities out there and they are everywhere.
Annie Tucker, Blossom Co-ordinator
I have recently been warmly welcomed into the team in my role as Blossom Co-ordinator and am feeling very excited about the Project. I have had heart-warming encounters with truly amazing volunteers at the L&D who are doing wonderful work here and I am honoured to be a part of the process. The Blossom Project provides not only companionship in one’s last days but also it supports the Trust values of providing the best quality of care and working together for the patients. We would love to chat with you if you are interested in joining us as a Blossom Volunteer.
Aruna Picton, Charity Assistant
Aruna.Picton@ldh.nhs.uk, Ext: 8289
I’ve wanted to work in the Third Sector for as long as I remember, and am so grateful to work for such an incredible charity. Helping the NHS means a lot to me as my parents are NHS nurses. As the Charity Assistant my role is to support my team in different ways, including speaking with donors, administrative tasks, supporting and organising events, and being available for public engagement. If you would like to find out more about our Charity or fundraising, please give me a call!
Jackie Agnew, Voluntary Services Administrator
Jackie.Agnew@ldh.nhs.uk, Ext: 8043
I am delighted to have joined the team as Volunteer Administrator. Although I am based at the L&D, I provide support across both sites.
Having lost my father and my late partner Andrew, who was a Charge Nurse at the L&D, I wanted to continue his legacy of caring and offer my time as a volunteer, so I joined the Team as a Mealtime Assistant. I fully understand the shortage of time available for staff to carry out essential jobs, such as feeding patients at mealtimes, or simply being able to sit with a patient and chat or hold their hand to calm them. I have seen, through my own experience, how valuable volunteer support is. My experience of the application process and the feeling of pride I got from my work makes me a compassionate cheerleader for volunteering. I am enjoying supporting the team with rebuilding the service post-Covid and help to provide support to our patients and staff where it is most needed.
Mojisola S. Adebola, Supporter Engagement and Events Officer
With diverse experience in the public relations, journalism, and non-profit sectors, combined with a passion for delivering compelling messages that resonate with audiences, I am excited to be a part of this amazing team at the Bedfordshire Hospitals Charity. I look forward to connecting with our selfless supporters whose journeys and reason for giving to or fundraising for our charity are the foundations of my being on this team. Rest assured that whatever you give; time, money, effort, or digital support, to further support and create awareness about the incredible things we do here, we will keep you informed on our progress, impact and challenges at all times.