NTHNHS: Health and Wellbeing Magazine - Issue 1, October 2021

Volunteering and wellbeing

Our Trust has more than 300 fantastic volunteers in various roles who dedicate their spare time to working with our patients and supporting our staff.

The role of a volunteer is continuously evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of our Trust and our staff. Most recently, our volunteer coordination team has expanded roles out to include end of life companions and on-call volunteer responders.

Each volunteer has their own reasons for committing to the Trust; to gain work experience for their future career, to give something back to the NHS or simply to fill their time with a good cause.

“I think volunteering has been the single most valuable thing I have ever done.”

Whatever their reason, there’s a common thread that unites the volunteering team – they gain more out of volunteering than they give.

Ann McCabe is a retired 77-yearold end of life companion, working closely with patients who are receiving palliative care. When asked why she took on the role, she said: “I’m giving something and I’m getting something in return.

“I go home every day knowing that I’ve pleased somebody, knowing that I’ve chatted to somebody who needed a lending ear. Volunteering is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Ann’s role is supported by the palliative care team who have taken her through a bespoke

training package. She also has access to chaplaincy and other health and wellbeing support services if she feels she needs some emotional support.

On the flip side is 17-year-old Kieran Gill, a clinical volunteer and aspiring doctor.

He carries out various tasks in his proud duty. But his favourite task is simply keeping the patients company and continuously learning more about how to talk to patients for his bright future in medicine.

Kieran said: “Being in hospital can be very lonely and distressing so I feel privileged to spend time with patients, put a smile on their faces and improve their stay in whatever way I can.”