Dave Holt – Unsung Hero Awards

Nomination

Award Category:

Volunteer of the year

Individual or Team Nomination?

Individual

Qualifying Qualities

In these challenging times, nominators were asked to show how the nominee had demonstrated the following qualities:

Exceptional work ethic - going above and beyond their job description, especially in the past 12 months.
Outstanding achievement/s in work or outside of the organisation where relevant.
Drive for innovation and proactive leadership in these challenging times.
High level of interpersonal skills, such as kindness, empathy, loyalty and thoughtfulness to staff and patients.
A resilience considering Covid to their role and to the health and wellbeing of their colleagues.

Nominators Answer

Nominee's story :

More than 745 hours given and literally 100s of miles walked to deliver and install 100s of pieces of essential IT equipment to keep our hospital operating smoothly … and that’s only since Christmas! ‘Superhero’ really is how we think of our amazing IT Support Volunteer Dave at Bedford Hospital. Dave joined us in April 2020 to do his bit and support patients and staff at Bedford Hospital, soon realising he had a vital role to play, he more than stepped up, putting himself on the front line to replace, install and upgrade essential IT equipment for online consultations and to ensure our doctors and nurses could access vital healthcare systems. “Dave has been the most valuable asset to the IT department in the last 12 months. At a time when staff attendance has been at an all-time low, Dave pulled out all the stops to assist ALL IT teams to deliver outstanding support,” says IM&T Analyst Bobby. “He has come in on his days off, always with a smile and a drive to assist in any way he possibly can. No request is too big or too little – Dave, like a runaway train, just goes ahead and ploughs through despite obstacles. “His smile, calm and professional demeanour is second-to-none and I for one would fully invest in cloning him as without people like Dave our department simply would have collapsed under the sheer strain and pressure he has helped to alleviate. “I’m sure everyone would agree that without volunteers like Dave and others, the wheels in this hospital would shudder and stop turning and I cannot think of anybody else more deserving of recognition and accolade for his continued support to our Directorate and the Trust.” In a world where we are all so reliant on IT systems to provide services and keep us connected, having someone like Dave to keep us all going both technically and holistically has been such a positive boost for our wellbeing. Our IT team could not have managed without him and glowing reports have flooded in about his wonderful work and his exemplary attitude and behaviour – he epitomises our Trust values: Teamwork, Honest and Open, Respect, Inclusive, Valuing People, Excellence and is available and willing to help anyone in need. He’s now so well known across the hospital that people actively ask for help from volunteer Dave. “Not only does he continue to help us every day, he is probably the nicest and most caring person I’ve ever met and I’ve enjoyed getting to know him and working with him over the past 15 months. No job is too big or too small for Dave and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him without a smile on his face!” adds IT Technician Bradley. It may not be glamorous, but what an amazing contribution Dave has made to supporting Bedford Hospital staff and patients, the NHS and his local community. In the words of my IT colleagues, Dave is simply ‘legend’!