The Friends are not the only volunteers helping to support the hospital.
It has its own army of helpers who give up their spare time to lend a hand assisting with a variety of roles from chatting to patients to “behind the scenes” work.
Volunteer roles include:
- Ward support – going around the wards to get patients’ menu choices, and providing the extra tonic of a bedside chat.
- Equipment store – helping to log, label items for distribution including such as commodes, cushions, seats and mobility aid trolleys.
- Admin – helping fold and pack leaflets for patient information packs.
- Patient information – helping gather and input information about patient experiences to provide positive feedback and constructive criticism which is sent to the staff and management involved.
Volunteers are given training for the tasks they undertake. They are not asked to carry out personal care and are not taking the jobs of staff members.
It might only take a couple of hours a week, but it adds to the positive experience of patients and their families using the hospital.
To find out more contact Volunteer Co-ordinator Wendy Bryant at wendy.bryant@nchc.nhs.uk or call 01692 408050.