NNUH awarded grant for specialist volunteer team

NNUH has been awarded a charitable donation to develop a dedicated volunteer support service for elderly and frail patients or those living with dementia.

The additional funding will enable the new volunteering service to increase capacity and provide a specialised team of 50 volunteers who will be up skilled to offer mealtime support, therapeutic massage and activities such as memory box and reminiscence exercises.

Sally Knights, NNUH Volunteer Services Manager said: “We have been continuously seeking ways in which to support our elderly and frail patients or those living with dementia and cognitive impairment and are delighted to be able to offer a dedicated volunteer service which would complement and enhance the work of our medical professionals and integrated dementia support team.”

Liz Yaxley, NNUH Integrated Dementia Services Manager added: “This will be of great benefit to our patients and particularly those with dementia. The volunteers will be in addition to, and enhance, the great support service we have in place through professionals such as the dementia support workers and Healthcare Assistants on the wards and in outpatient clinic areas.”

Emma McKay said: “We owe a huge debt to all our volunteers as they provide a valuable service for both patients and staff we are always looking to recruit new volunteers. Their support enriches the lives of patients and staff across both hospitals and we are very grateful to them.”

The service will be implemented, co-ordinated and evaluated by a new post of “Older Peoples Medicine Volunteer Co-ordinator” who will also report on the value and impact of the service.  The volunteers will receive bespoke training organised through the integrated dementia support team.

Volunteers will be based within all areas of older people’s medicine and will also offer support in the emergency department, where they will meet, befriend, reassure and accompany patients to further investigations for the duration of their visit.

If you are interested in joining the Elderly and Frail support volunteer team or for more information please contact the Volunteering Office by emailing volunteers@nnuh.nhs.uk or telephone 01603 286060.