Rezmin Islam, a maternity volunteer at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust is a finalist in the Volunteer of the Year Award category at the annual Our Health Heroes Awards.
Rezmin started volunteering in October 2022. Despite running her own online retail business and caring for her 3 children, she manages to volunteer twice a week in the Liverpool Women’s Hospital Maternity and Gynaecology Service, supporting staff, patients and visitors.
Rezmin helps those who do not speak English as their first language to access hospital services, supporting them to understand the difference in practices between the NHS and their own cultures.
Recently, Rezmin helped a mum in distress who’d gone into early labour.
Concerned about the lady’s wellbeing, Rezmin helped put her at ease, allowing her to talk openly in a safe place.
It later transpired that the mum didn’t have anything for the baby, and she didn’t know how to get help. Rezmin responded by approaching the hospital charity, who provided much needed equipment including a pram, Moses basket and baby clothes.
Rezmin supported another Bangladeshi couple during labour and birth earlier this year, keeping the husband fully informed throughout. The husband said, without Rezmin the process would have been unbearable, especially when his wife was rushed to theatre.
“Rezmin is one of our most reliable and valuable volunteers,” says Gillian Walker, Patient Experience Matron.
“She is dedicated to supporting our women and babies and works extremely hard when on duty to relieve pressures on staff, which can significantly improve their working day and wellbeing.
“The wealth of cultural knowledge that she brings and shares, has undoubtedly enhanced the experience for many of our service users from marginalised backgrounds. She is such a pleasure to have on the ward, always smiling, graceful, kind and caring. We are blessed to have her.”
Please show your support for Rezmin by casting your vote here: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/awards/vote-volunteer/
The Skills for Health Our Health Heroes Awards is sponsored by NHS England, NHS Employers, NHS Shared Business Services and more. Gold, silver and bronze Volunteer of the Year Award winners will be announced at a special ceremony held in London on 16th April.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About Skills for Health Our Health Heroes Awards
Skills for Health have been championing the voices of the UK healthcare workforce since 2002. As the Sector Skills Council for Health, we have collaborated with thousands of NHS and healthcare providers to develop solutions that improve skills, jobs, and roles to achieve better patient outcomes
Our Health Heroes was created to champion real people, who are at the heart of our healthcare system. Now more than ever we need to celebrate and say ‘thank you’ to the thousands of unsung heroes up and down the country.
Now in its eighth year, we can't wait to welcome some of the incredible shining stars of the health and care sectors, to a glittering awards ceremony at QEII Centre in London as we reveal the winners of the Our Health Heroes Awards 2024.
Our Health Heroes Awards 2024 is supported by NHS England, NHS Employers, NHS Shared Business Services, NHS Race & Health Observatory and more.
www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/awards/