In their own words

Patients, volunteers and partners across South Somerset.

Six longer testimonials from people who have known the Friends — from a hip-replacement patient in Stoke-Sub-Hamdon to an eleven-year shop volunteer in Martock. Each subject has given written permission for their words to appear here.

A long oak table at the Friends’ office in Stoke-Sub-Hamdon with six tea-cups, a folder of handwritten letters from patients and volunteers, sunlight falling through a sash window.
Margaret, 78, in her sitting-room in Stoke-Sub-Hamdon, sitting in an armchair with the Roberts radio on the side table, a small smile on her face.
Patient · Stoke-Sub-Hamdon

Margaret, 78

I came in for a hip and went home with a friend. The trolley brought me a radio on day two, and Linda came back to check on the batteries on the Friday. The radio is on at breakfast every morning now. I had not realised how much I had missed it.
David, 64, at his Crewkerne kitchen table, the Friends’ thank-you letter in his hand, the gold seal still visible.
Patient · Crewkerne

David, 64

I came in on the twenty-third of December with chest pain. They wheeled the Friends-funded monitor to my bedside before lunch and they watched me through Christmas. Three nights, three readings, an early diagnosis. I am still embarrassed by how little fuss they made about it.
Grace, 31, on the post-natal ward at Yeovil District Hospital, holding her newborn and a small takeaway cup from the Friends’ Café with the cream-and-gold logo visible.
New mother · Yeovil

Grace, 31

I had my son at four forty-one in the morning. By the time the round came past, a tea tray from the Friends had been left beside my bed. There was a postcard with my name on it. I had not told the Friends my name. That is what they do.
Keith, 71, in his shop tabard behind the till of the Friends’ shop on the main concourse, the cream-and-gold embroidery on the back of the tabard reading ‘THE LEAGUE OF FRIENDS OF THE YEOVIL HOSPITALS’.
Volunteer · Martock

Keith, 71

Eleven years on the Wednesday rota. I’d be lost without it — and I think the till would be lost without me. My wife says I come home cheerier on a Wednesday than any other day of the week. The Friends are the reason.
Helen, 45, at a table in the Friends’ Café, a half-finished crossword in front of her, her hand around a cup of tea.
Café regular · Sherborne

Helen, 45

The café was the first place I went after my mother’s funeral. They knew without asking. I have been coming back on the second Tuesday of every month since 2019. The chocolate cake is part of it. The kindness is most of it.
Anwar, 52, in the hospital charity team office at Yeovil District Hospital, in conversation, a folder labelled ‘LFoYH partnership’ open on the desk.
Partner · Yeovil

Anwar, 52 · hospital charity team

We have worked with the Friends since 2003. They are the most disciplined small charity we know — and the most generous. When a ward sister asks for something quickly, the Friends are usually the first call any of us makes.
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If the Friends helped at a difficult moment, and you would like that to appear here, write to the Honorary Secretary. We will not publish anything without your written permission.

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