This week is Volunteers’ Week, a national event that runs from 2-8 June. It’s a chance to recognise, celebrate and thank our volunteers for all they contribute to our teams. We have volunteers throughout our community hospitals, mental health and community services, and they make a real difference by supporting staff and helping to extend the services they provide. Volunteers are often in a position to enhance the patient experience in ways which may be difficult for staff to deliver in pressurised working environments.
We have profiled a number of our volunteers here so you can read all about what they do and how beneficial they are to our communities.
Penny Wright, volunteer at North Cotswolds Hospital
My volunteer role is: To deliver mid-morning drinks to patients on the ward. I try to attend one morning per week (and I am never criticised if I don’t attend because of my holidays!).
I volunteer because: I live in a most beautiful part of the Cotswolds, I am retired and I like to feel part of the community of this lovely town.I also enjoy talking to people, and hearing of their amazing life experiences.
Penny Wright
My typical day of volunteering involves: Arriving at 10.20, checking with the staff at the desk if there are any problems, E.g. patients with dietary requirements. I then take the trolley round the ward, trying to be quick so that the drinks don’t go cold but going back afterwards if a patient wants to chat. I also deliver newspapers if the staff haven’t had the time to.
I would recommend other people consider volunteering because:
- The training is brief but relevant— Health and Safety regulations, Food Hygiene regulations, patient confidentiality, being aware of the needs of patients and knowing when to ask for help from the staff.
- The staff are very helpful and friendly.
- It is a joy to work in such a clean hospital!
- It doesn’t seem to matter when I ask a patient 3 times if they take sugar!
John Smith, Volunteer Driver with Childrens’ Community Nursing Team
My volunteer role is: Helping out the district nurses by collecting medicines and related kit direct from the community resource centre (at Springbank) and distributing it direct to the point of need at individual’s houses.
John Smith
I volunteer because: I am retired with time on my hands. I can’t justify playing golf all the time and take pleasure in helping out within the community I’ve grown up in. In addition it’s fair to say that the NHS have saved my life at least twice – and contrary to all the bad news stories about the NHS on the news they by far for the most part provide a fantastic and caring service for most of us whether we need it now or maybe in the future. This isn’t payback, I just want to do my bit.
My typical day of volunteering is: Drive into the community resource centre, say hi to the relevant staff who are always friendly and helpful, collect such medicines and kit that need to go to the families of children in need. Use my car in return for a fixed mileage rate. I could have anything between 3 and say 8 drops to do, sometimes takes me 2 hours, sometimes 4 or 5 hours if I’m venturing far and wide around the county. It’s not onerous and you soon get to know some of the regulars. On top of that I’m lucky enough that I can pick the day of the week that suits me.
I would recommend other people volunteering because: It’s great to give time freely to a worthy cause if you can, it does make a difference and hey, if you like a good tea, cake & sandwich session once a year you’ll get an invite in appreciation and the opportunity to find out what other volunteers are up to.
Alison Hennessey, volunteer at Forest of Dean Community Hospital
Alison Hennessey
My volunteer role is: Anything they need me to do really but I specialise in singing with the patients, doing basic crafting (card making, colouring in etc), playing bingo or even just informal chatting and keeping people company.
I volunteer because: I retired from my role as a Ward Clerk for the NHS in February 2024. I knew I would miss everyone terribly and also knew that I was keen to help or still be involved in some way, (as a Ward Clerk I used to do singing with and for the inpatients on high days and Holidays…like at Christmas for example, I felt that I’d to ‘give something back’ now that I would have more free time. I have a background in music and musical theatre and also run a ‘Singing for the Brain class twice a month for the Alzheimers society
My typical day of volunteering involves: Inviting some patients into the day room to do half an hour or so of singing. Sometimes I bring stuff to do a bingo game or two (the patients usually love that). As a crafter, I sometimes bring pages to do colouring in, or something simple to make. If no one wants to do any of those things, I may just pop into one of the patients rooms to have a chat…Some patients get little or no visitors. As an ex Ward clerk, when the ward is short staffed, I have been known to man the phones, main door and basic reception stuff to help out. No two days are ever the same and I do get a lot of satisfaction from knowing I have made a difference to someone’s life….being in hospital isn’t much fun, so I like to think I can help to relieve the boredom.
I would recommend other people consider volunteering because…Sometimes life can leave you looking inward all of the time, especially after retirement, which can be detrimental to your mental health. Looking outward and helping other people helps you to feel better- there’s always someone worse off than you. It’s rewarding and can be fun. I am lucky to already have a good relationship with quite a few of the staff, but everyone is really friendly and I think they’re always happy to see me, it’s nice to feel wanted. If you’ve always wanted to try it, give it a go…you’ve nothing to lose and a lot to gain.
Mary Macdonald, volunteer at Cirencester Hospital
Mary Macdonald
Mary MacDonald is in her 80s and has been a volunteer in reception at Cirencester Hospital for 26 years! She was honoured at our Better Care Together awards earlier this year, for Outstanding Achievement.
Colleagues say of Mary: “She is a stalwart, whatever the weather she rides her bike to the hospital for her shift. Patients, visitors and staff like Mary and value her support, patience and kindness. We are so lucky to have Mary has a volunteer at Cirencester Hospital.”
Here’s Mary’s summary of her role and what she does:
My volunteer role is: covering the Main Reception Desk at Cirencester Hospital.
I volunteer because: The people of Cirencester really appreciate the Hospital, I like being part of the team and I want to be able to help the community.
My typical day of volunteering involves: I meet patients as they enter the building, put them at ease and guide them to their destination.
I would recommend other people consider volunteering because: It’s a very worthwhile thing to do both for me and the community.
Mike Smart, volunteer at Cirencester Hospital
Mike Smart
My role is: To help on Coln Ward. It is a very friendly place to volunteer and the whole team are very welcoming.
I volunteer because: The reason I started to volunteer was a very personal one. The ward looked after my father during the final weeks of his life. Everyone was so kind, caring and compassionate. I thought this is an environment I can devote my time to.
My typical day of volunteering involves: As a volunteer on the ward, there are many things to do. I like variety so my time can vary from helping on the nursing station, answering phones, making beds, taking requests for the hospital radio, serving lunches and sitting and chatting with the patients. The latter is the most rewarding to me as I enjoy hearing about their life experiences.
I would recommend other people consider volunteering because: Volunteering to me is a very satisfying and enriching experience where I am recognised, appreciated, feel part of a team and add value whilst I am there. If this appeals, and you have any spare time, then I would recommend volunteering to you.
