Volunteers wanted at NNUH

Do you have what it takes to volunteer at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital? If so, we are looking for more volunteers especially those who can “Meet and Greet” visitors and patients to the hospital.

Our Meet and Greet volunteers will welcome and reassure patients, escort them to wards and clinics and explain other procedures such as how to pay for parking etc.

We receive many favourable comments from patients about the smiling faces on the outpatient reception desks as our volunteers always provide a warm and cheery welcome.

Across the whole of the Trust we have an active and competent tradition of volunteering in both a clinical and non-clinical setting of which we should be justifiably proud. Volunteers add value to the work of the professionals. They do not work instead of professionals, but give their time to make life more comfortable for people in difficult situations.

Collectively we have approximately 270 volunteers and about another 150 that come to us through the auspices of organisations such as St John’s Ambulance, Red Cross, Hospital Radio, NNAB, and many others that provide the hospital with over 1500 hours of help per week or 78,000 hours per year.

There are 33 different duties undertaken by volunteers on our wards and clinics. Volunteers help with everything from collecting X-rays to looking after flowers to chatting to a lonely patient with out relatives.

Our volunteers also undertake 15 different general duties in a non-clinical setting, such as stocking up on stationery supplies, delivering and redirecting mail or filing and photocopying.

Volunteering is a 2 way process. People offer their time and experience and in return it is important that our volunteers receive the support, training and information they need to enable them to continue to meet the challenges they face every day.

The NNUH voluntary services have been recognised nationally by achieving the Investing in Volunteers award.

It is impossible to put a price on the difference our volunteers make to our hospital and we can’t thank them enough for their endless support and commitment.

So if you have a spare couple of hours and are interested in volunteering at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital contact one of the Voluntary Services Managers on 01603 286060.

Next week 1 – 7 June 2007 is Volunteering Week – click here for more information.