Volunteers making a real difference A team of volunteers who offer their time to help the chaplaincy team at the University Hospital of North Tees have described why they got involved.
Stop smoking specialist advisor Alison Johns, stop smoking facilitators Leanne Watson and Debbie Elliott
Smokers encouraged to declare V for victory The trust’s stop smoking team and occupational health and wellbeing encouraged smokers to declare V for victory on No Smoking Day, to mark winning the battle against quitting smoking. On No Smoking Day more than one million smokers were expected to decide to quit smoking and the team were there to help across Stockton and Hartlepool. Stop smoking service manager Pat Marshall said: “Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to stop smoking. For some people it is about making a lifestyle change – to be healthier or get fit, or to save money and, for others, it’s about the way their smoking affects the people close to them, such as their family and friends. “No matter what their reasons, if people are thinking about quitting
Health and wellbeing advisor Maureen Wales
smoking, their best chance of success is to visit one of their local stop smoking sessions. Last year we saw thousands of people at our clinics and we want to continue to see more. “We offer friendly and non-judgemental help to smokers at a number of stop smoking clinics held throughout Hartlepool and Stockton. We tailor the support to every individual person to give them the best possible chance of quitting.
No Smoking Day is a great time for smokers to make a positive change in their lives and quit smoking. “Quitting smoking isn’t always easy. People who receive help and support from their local stop smoking service are much more likely to successfully quit and are four times more likely to stay smoke free. “No Smoking Day is a great time for smokers to make a positive change in their lives and quit smoking. “If people stop smoking, they will soon feel fitter, will save money, will have better skin and teeth and will reduce the risk of any serious smoking related diseases.” If anyone wants to quit smoking they can find out about their local stop smoking sessions in Stockton and Hartlepool at www.nth.nhs.uk/stopsmoking or phone (01642) 383819.
The volunteers support the chaplaincy team every Friday morning – with each volunteer being given a ward to help in where they offer support to patients and pastoral and spiritual help to those who want it. One of the volunteers, Margaret Wright, enjoys the challenge and variety that the role brings. She said: “Every Friday is different, which is one of the things I love about volunteering here. We speak to a whole range of different people and it’s really interesting. “We are really there to just support people, if they want that support. Many don’t and that is fine but we are there if they do want someone to talk to.” Anita Fowell, who also volunteers, said: “The role is a real challenge and there is also a great rapport between all of the volunteers. “Another very positive part of the role is that we get to work on the same ward every Friday, so we get to know staff and patients well and become familiar around the ward.” Another volunteer, Veronica Morgan, said: “I have always loved to help people. “We are in a position where we have the time that staff members don’t have to really sit with the patient and speak to them for long periods. Some patients find it easier to talk to us – we don’t wear uniforms and we aren’t members of staff so patients think of us differently.” Hospital chaplain Lorraine Millar said: “Our volunteers are not only available to patients or visitors who need to talk, but are also there to offer spiritual support to anyone who needs it whether that be on a ward or in the chapel. They have a very valuable role here and they are a fantastic help to us.”
Left to right – Philip Bishop, Veronica Morgan, Anita Fowell and Margaret Wright Anthem | May/June 2014 19