Latest news

Marie Pearson receives the Order of Mercy

Published by Helen Platt on Mon, 03/08/2026 - 12:26

Marie Pearson, who volunteers with the Friends of Oaklands Care Home in Essex, has received the Order of Mercy in recognition of her outstanding voluntary efforts.

Specialist subjects:

Dementia

Department:

Membership

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NHS Volunteering Guidance – Response from Attend

Published by Helen Platt on Fri, 31/07/2026 - 21:43

In July 2026, we were approached by NHS England to provide a response to an updated version of the NHS Volunteering Guidance. The team at NHS England have been working on the update for some time and it is now in its final stages with plans to be published in the autumn. Our response below notes the importance of considering independent organisations such as Friends Groups in a timely way and to not assume one-size-fits all when developing the framework. We have suggested how the framework could better embrace Friends groups – their contributions, their heritage, legacy and independence - in a way that celebrates the first line of the NHS Constitution “The NHS Belongs to the People.”

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Meet our Chair, Stephen Redman MBE

Published by Helen Platt on Fri, 31/07/2026 - 21:28

Alongside his day job as a Christian Minister in the city of York, Stephen wears many hats including volunteering with Amarna House Care Home and now Chair of the Attend board. The following is a conversation with Stephen talking about his life, motivations and experiences as a volunteer.

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A Tribute to Baroness Audrey Emerton of Tunbridge Wells and Clerkenwell DBE

Published by Debbie Baverstock on Mon, 02/03/2026 - 08:40

Some lives leave a mark so deep that institutions change shape around them. Baroness Audrey Emerton lived such a life — one defined not by visibility or fanfare, but by the steady, unwavering force of service. She showed, across a lifetime, what it means to build a better world quietly, persistently, and with extraordinary moral clarity. She never sought attention. She sought impact. And she achieved it again and again.

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Pam Morton OBE Eulogy

Published by Helen Platt on Wed, 08/10/2025 - 12:54

We were sorry to announce in July, the passing of Pamela Morton OBE, our great friend and Attend Vice President. We feel the space already left by this loss of a force of nature in the Friends movement. However, she will constantly be remembered for her witticisms, and through anecdotes. David Wood had the great honour of speaking at Pam’s funeral in York and included below is a copy of his eulogy to her, which we hope reminds us all of some of the many memories we have with Pam.

Governance:

Trustees

Department:

Membership