Volunteer Mary Grimes is celebrating a decade of helping patients at West Park Hospital in Darlington. (Image: Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV))

A ‘'selfless' volunteer has been commended for her decade of commitment, using her own personal experience to help others. Mary Grimes, a retired primary school teacher from Darlington , is an activities volunteer on Birch Ward at West Park Hospital, supporting patients through arts and crafts.

The ward, which is part of Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust, treats adults with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa - an eating disorder and serious mental health condition. Mary’s lived experience provides a unique and powerful connection with patients and offers them hope and understanding, and said volu

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