A new wave of volunteer recruitment at Noble’s Hospital and Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital has commenced to bolster existing numbers.
Volunteers play an increasingly important role in both hospitals, where they provide an ‘extra element of support’, says Alison Lester, Volunteer Service Manager at Noble’s Hospital.
There are a wide range of volunteer roles across the health service, with opportunities currently available in the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre, the Emergency Department and on wards as dining companions.
Recognising that good nutrition is an important part of the healing process, the Dining Companion Service launched in 2010 as a pilot project to offer patients companionship and additional assistance during mealtimes.
The Macmillan Cancer Information Centre provides advice and support to those with cancer and their family and friends as part of Macmillan Cancer Support’s mission to ensure that no one faces cancer alone. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Information Centre, ensuring that it can remain operational on a drop-in basis.
Volunteers in the Emergency Department will be able to undertake a variety of duties such as sitting with patients, showing relatives through from reception, and acts as simple as offering a cup of tea and a welcoming smile.
Alison said: 'We have a wonderful group of volunteers delivering exceptional services to patients; but we’re always looking to expand our numbers as demand grows for the extra support and help that our volunteers provide.
'Volunteering is extremely rewarding and makes a difference to patients. Volunteering offers the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people whilst providing a highly valued service to the community. I would encourage anyone who is interested to get in touch and find out more about the roles available and what these entail.'
Volunteering doesn’t require a permanent commitment, some people volunteer for short periods of time over a few weeks or months, others for years. The scheme is completely flexible with the option for an hour or two a week to a few days. Volunteering suits a wide variety of people such as those who have retired or who are unemployed, those in work but with some spare time, as well as those considering a career in health or social care. Full training and support are provided.
Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK, said:
'We are fortunate to currently have 160 committed and enthusiastic volunteers. They work day in, day out to provide exceptional support to patients and complement the work of our health care professionals and administration staff, not replace it.
'Our dedicated volunteers are instrumental in making a visit or stay in hospital as stress-free and as pleasant as possible. Whether it’s welcoming patients, helping them at meal times or escorting them from one clinic to another, these small gestures really do make all the difference.'
Anyone who would like more information should contact Alison Lester, Volunteer Service Manager on +44 1624 650720 or email Alison.Lester@gov.im.
