Despite being a smaller site, Moorfields at Bedford offers patients a wide range of outpatient clinics, complex surgery and a diagnostics hub. Staff describe our volunteers at this site as part of the fabric of Moorfields, but in return, volunteering also gives something back to them: a very special community.
Because they cover different shifts and don’t see each other during volunteering, our Bedford volunteers organise a coffee morning every month. We joined them in April and chatted about why they volunteer at Moorfields and what it’s like to be part of the Bedford crew.
“After I retired as a nurse, volunteering was my way to come back to the Moorfields family. I have been on both sides of the system: as a nurse it was my responsibility to deliver the best possible treatment and service, but as a volunteer, my sole purpose is looking after the patient. I love being able to help staff focus on delivering an excellent service because they don’t have to worry about who looks after the patient.” – Moira
“I started volunteering after the amazing treatment I received at Moorfields myself and have been involved in clinic and admin support here at Bedford for many years. It’s nice to be able to support on different things.” – Gaynor
“What’s really special is that Moorfields [at Bedford] is very communal. Everyone is respectful and generous about learning from each other. When you go into theatre, you have any culture in the world, working together in the same room as one. It’s really wonderful to be part of this team.” – Adrian
“The handholding role is something incredible, especially because holding someone’s hand is not something that comes natural to all patients. When people are anxious, I put them at ease by saying: ‘Look at it like I am a friend’. Jan Kuszlewicz was my inspiration – I want to follow his ethos of giving: I’m happy when I see patients are happy.” – Andrew
“What I love about volunteering at Moorfields is the team spirit. The medical staff truly appreciate the role volunteers play in helping patients feel calmer and taking the time to sit down with them. They [Moorfields staff] are incredible and always put the patient first, so they understand how spending time with patients is very much needed.” – Naomi
A special thank you to the wonderful Pauline who is taking a break from volunteering. We can’t wait to welcome you back!
A true community: St. Ann’s at Moorfields
Moorfields operates out of 20 different centres, and each and every one of these is unique. Friends are present at 10 sites, but we’re always looking to expand our operations to better support staff and patients. This March we took a peek behind the scenes at St. Ann’s, during a World Glaucoma Week awareness event.
What makes St. Ann’s special? When you walk through the doors, it instantly feels like a community; it’s a welcoming environment with lovely and approachable staff, and personal touches such as artwork by a patient in the hallway.
St. Ann’s is proof of how kindness and excellence shape patient experience. A survey conducted in October and December 2025 found 96% of patients would recommend St. Ann’s to anyone who needs similar care, and 100% would recommend the centre for surgery.
Patients at St. Ann’s can get cataract, glaucoma and medical retina treatments, including surgery. Despite being a smaller site, it’s very busy; the team see about 200 patients a day on average.
Everyone goes out of their way to put patients at ease and guide them to and from their seat. But there isn’t always enough time for those who need more. When we asked staff what could make the St. Ann’s experience even better, they all agreed: regular volunteers!
“Volunteers are key in improving the patient flow, but also in building community: a chat whilst you’re waiting can make all the difference.”
The sense of community is something close to heart for the staff at St. Ann’s. When their colleague Gino suddenly passed away in 2024, the team led an initiative to plant a community garden to remember him. Friends funded a memorial bench and some additional tables to help create an outdoor space to support the staff’s wellbeing.
Wellbeing goes beyond the here and now. As much as our volunteers support staff, volunteering itself can also be a form of support, meeting new people and building community. We spoke to a colleague at St. Ann’s, who was keen to give back to the trust to develop new skills.
“I was a technician for 3 years and then moved into an admin role. But I like learning and getting skilled in different areas. Volunteering offers that opportunity.”
We’re excited to keep providing opportunities to connect patients, staff and the general public at St. Ann’s and through Moorfields in general! Do you want to support this wonderful site as a volunteer or are you a staff member wanting to volunteer? Get in touch with our office or email moorfields.friends@nhs.net.
Work on Moorfields and UCL Centre for Eye Health (Oriel) in St Pancras, Camden, is progressing well and the centre will welcome its first patients in summer 2027.
All services at Moorfields Eye Hospital City Road, the children’s services and Moorfields Private on Bath Street, will move to the new centre.
Our volunteers are supporting the Oriel programme team to help transition our staff, students, and patients to the new site. They will be out and about in clinics at City Road, sharing key information with patients. This will include information about how to get to the new site and what facilities will be available.
The team will also encourage patients to take part in other engagement activities, including wayfinding, and digital services. We’re keen to hear feedback from as many patients as possible to help us create a centre that is accessible for all.
Our Oriel volunteers are vital to the relocation, and will continue to provide support once we’ve moved in. We asked a few of you to share your thoughts about the move and role of volunteers.
What made you want to become an Oriel volunteer?
Kiran: “I’ve been volunteering with Friends for five years and have a background in project engineering. I was part of another large move, so I got really excited when I heard about Oriel.”
Ian: “I have an eye condition myself and understand how important it is for the first experience with an unfamiliar place to be a positive one. Volunteers are key to creating that positive environment and that is great to be involved in.”
What are Oriel volunteers working on right now and how does it help patients?
Kiran: “We want everything to go as smoothly as possible, so we need to make patients aware of the move and collect their feedback at these early stages. It will make everyone’s life easier once we move.”
Ian: “There is something extraordinary about Moorfields, because volunteers get involved across the patient experience. It’s a complex transition, and having trained volunteers in place will help communicate updates clearly.”
What excites you most about volunteering at the new centre?
Kiran: “A new environment will present challenges and it’s a joint responsibility – Moorfields, UCL, the charities and all others involved – to make sure we leave a good first impression. But we are ready for it!”
Ian: “Whether you’re staff, a patient or volunteer, there is an emotional attachment to this hospital. We get to be part of preserving the spirit of Moorfields, but also in taking things forward. There are so many opportunities!”
If you would like to find out more about the new centre, visit the Oriel page on the Moorfields website or email moorfields.oriel@nhs.net to sign up to the Oriel newsletter.
If you are a volunteer and would like to get involved as an Oriel volunteer, get in touch with Liam Bays, Oriel Project Delivery Manager (liam.bays@nhs.net).
