STAFF and volunteers providing charitable services at Winchester's hospital who were previously told to leave by managers will now stay.

As reported in the Chronicle, dismayed volunteers from The Royal Voluntary Service were told they would have to leave Royal Hampshire County Hospital in October, some after working there for more than 30 years.

The charity works across Hampshire to offer support to elderly people and have been involved at Royal Hampshire County Hospital since 1941.

For 76 years they have provided a trolley service and a newspaper round, as well as a shop inside the main reception at the site on Romsey Road.

The decision would have affected 60 volunteers and three part-time paid staff.

Now, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have confirmed an agreement with RVS to continue running the shop and trolley service.

RVS will continue to gift to the Trust, in lieu of rent, the same sum it has done previously.

Alex Whitfield, chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals, said: “We are delighted that the RVS will continue to have a presence at Royal Hampshire County Hospital and are looking forward to working closely with the charity in the future.

“Everyone at the Trust really appreciates the important role carried out by the RVS and their hard-working group of volunteers and employees, so we are really pleased to have this agreement in place.”

The Hampshire Chronicle asked the Trust what had led to the decision but a Trust spokesman declined to elaborate.

Kate Bull, executive director of retail for Royal Voluntary Service, said: “We remain committed to our volunteers at Royal Hampshire County Hospital and to continuing to serve patients, visitors and staff at the hospital.

“It’s great news that an agreement is in place and we look forward to working with the Trust, continuing the relationship enjoyed by both sides for so many years.”

Originally founded in 1938 as the Women’s Voluntary Services for Air Raid Precautions, Royal Voluntary Service is the largest volunteering organisation in British history.

It was initially formed to help recruit women into the ARP movement assisting civilians during and after air raids by providing emergency rest centres, feeding, first aid, and assisting with the evacuation and billeting of children.