There were plenty of smiles across University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) when Ben, a friendly King Charles Spaniel therapy dog, and his owner Ken paid a special visit to patients, visitors and staff. Ken volunteers with Ben once a month to visit UHL, offering companionship, providing comfort and brightening the day for those they meet. On their most recent visit, they spent time in Maternity and the adult and children’s emergency departments, bringing smiles and a

Make a difference. Build new skills. Give back to your community. Becoming a gives you the opportunity to work side‑by‑side with regular police officers, bring the skills and experience from your day job, and make a real difference in your local community. Leicestershire Police Specials are volunteer Police Officers with the same powers as regular officers. You’ll typically commit around four hours a week (or more), supporting frontline policing across Leicester, Leicestersh

Selfless volunteers supporting young people in care A group of volunteers who help vulnerable children in care has seen their numbers hit the century mark. 100 Independent Visitors are now registered with Leicestershire County Council and offer practical and life-changing support. The in-house voluntary scheme allows approved adults to spend a few hours a month with young people in care doing fun activities, such as walking in the park, going to the cinema or eating at a rest