The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is seeking 250 new volunteers in its anniversary year as it celebrates 250 years of providing care and treatment to the local community after seeing its first patients in 1772.

Volunteers are being sought right across the hospital with a push on recruiting volunteers in Older People’s Medicine, the Emergency Department and the Settle in Service.

Norfolk’s older population is served by specialist wards in Older People’s Medicine who are seeking volunteers as companions to older patients, particularly those with dementia. These volunteers support patients at mealtimes, helping them to get physically active again, or providing puzzles or games which tackle loneliness and enrich the patient’s hospital stay.

Another team which is actively seeking volunteers is the Emergency Department where there are roles dedicated to wayfinding, providing refreshments, taking telephone calls and linking-up patients with their relatives.

If volunteers would like to support the hospital in their own communities, we are recruiting volunteers to help settle patients in at home on their day of discharge from hospital.

Sally Dyson, Voluntary Services Manager, says: “We lost many volunteers through the pandemic because they weren’t able to come on site and many found other volunteering roles. Now we’re taking a fresh approach and looking at what support patients need and matching that with the hours that volunteers can provide in a flexible way that fits in with people’s lifestyles.

“The are many ways in which volunteers can support us, either on the hospital site or out in the community where they can support patients as they return home from hospital, settling them in and signposting people to sources of help.”

“We also support patients at the end of life with the Butterfly Volunteers and relieve stress for staff and patients with the Pets as Therapy Dogs and our volunteer drivers help patients to get home again or transport equipment and belongings.”

Anyone who is interested in becoming a hospital volunteer can get in touch with the team on volunteers@nnuh.nhs.uk or call 01603 286060.