Hospital volunteering showcase event
An event to showcase the different volunteering opportunities available at the Trust is taking place next month. The event will coincide with the end of Volunteers’ Week, which aims to celebrate the generous support made by volunteers across the country. Members of the public will be able to find out more about volunteering opportunities at the hospital, speak to volunteers from several departments and discuss the benefits of volunteering.
Volunteers’ Week takes place from 1 – 7 June and is a way of celebrating the contribution of millions of volunteers across the UK. On 1 June a special thanksgiving service will be held in the hospital Chapel and throughout the week members of the executive team will be shadowing volunteers to gain first-hand experience of their valuable roles.
We are marking the end of the week with a showcasing event taking place from 10am – 3pm outside the Benjamin Gooch Lecture Theatre, East Atrium, Level 1, on Wednesday 7 June. Volunteers from the Emergency Department, Older People’s Medicine, discharge and end of life care will be available to discuss their roles. There will also be a demonstration of therapeutic hand massages given to patients by specialist volunteers, and a visit from the Pets As Therapy (PAT) dogs.
Sally Dyson, Voluntary Services Manager, said: “Anyone can get involved in volunteering, from those who might want to sample some roles before thinking about a career in the NHS, to those who may have retired and want to remain active in the community. We have such a diverse range of volunteers. Anyone from any walk of life can volunteer, no matter their age or whether they live with a disability.”
Sophie Smith is a student who volunteers on the Older People’s Medicine wards. She said: “I enjoy volunteering very much as it’s so nice to chat to people and hear all the stories they have to tell. Every time I volunteer is different.
“I decided to volunteer with older people as my nan has dementia, which can be lonely, and just to be there to keep her company is so rewarding. I see the same with the people I talk to on the wards too. It’s so nice to see when they get better and go home.”
Sally Dyson added: “We are so grateful to our hundreds of dedicated volunteers who give up their time to help improve the experience of our patients and their relatives. We know there are huge benefits to volunteering, from socialising to building confidence. I’m really excited to host the showcasing event to demonstrate the brilliant ways our volunteers support us.”