Evelyn Blumenthal, a Royal Free Charity volunteer since 2018, has been given a British Empire Medal (BEM) for outstanding services to hospital volunteering and caring for people with dementia.
Evelyn was working on the wards at the Royal Free Hospital in Pond Street, Hampstead, when the announcement was made.
She said: “I was really amazed to get the reward. I don’t think I am doing anything out of the ordinary.”
Evelyn joined the charity in 2018 after retiring from working at a hospice.
Since then she has clocked up 2,000 volunteering hours, leading on dementia-specific support for patients.
Through the charity’s dementia companionship volunteer programme, she has trained volunteers to provide care and stimulation to patients with dementia or those who are elderly and vulnerable.
Evelyn played a vital role during the Covid-19 pandemic as part of the charity’s check-in and chat programme.
She made regular phone calls to patients at risk of loneliness and isolation, offering a compassionate ear and signposting them to further support when needed.
One patient, Angelina, said: “I had reached rock bottom and Evelyn helped me overcome it. She played such a huge role in my recovery and left a footprint in my heart.”
Evelyn’s contributions extend to the Royal Free London’s ethical biobank review, where she provides feedback on research applications from an ethical perspective.
Royal Free Charity chief executive Jon Spiers said: “Evelyn is a familiar face at the Royal Free Hospital and this award will come as no surprise to anyone who has worked alongside her or benefitted from her exceptional care.
“Her dedication to caring for some of our most vulnerable patients, combined with her commitment to mentoring and developing new volunteers, makes her a superb role model for NHS volunteers.
“We are immensely proud of her.”
