The Royal Free Hospital
Phyllis Spiro and Jenny Ziff
Phyllis Spiro and Jenny Ziff started volunteering because they both wanted to give back to the hospital that gave excellent care to their loved ones. This motivated them early on but now they come back every week because they enjoy the atmosphere at the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust.
Phyllis has given an incredible 22 years at the hospital, while her friend Jenny has contributed 15. During their long service they have seen huge changes at the trust but the thing they love most about volunteering is seeing that their small efforts make a difference both to patients and to staff.
Both women have helped out in various areas at the hospital, from tea trolleys to the enquiry desk. Volunteering at the Royal Free has become second nature to them; they know every inch of the hospital.
Mary Kennedy
When Mary Kennedy, the housekeeper, arrived at the ward on Monday 23 February, she had a million things on her mind. When she saw the volunteer arrive, she was delighted: she had been hoping that there would be a volunteer that day.
She said: “I have seen patients’ morale improve because volunteers simply sit next to them and talk about anything. The smallest touch from a volunteer can sometimes make the biggest difference to a patient’s wellbeing.”
St Mary's Hospital
Charles Rodier
“When I retired I wanted to do something worthwhile, and give something back. My sister was a nurse for many years, and she advised me to volunteer at my local hospital three years ago. I started volunteering in the Fracture Clinic on the first floor doing some filing and moved to the shop which is part of the Friends of St Mary’s as a volunteer sales assistant.
I am pleased that I can do a bit to help others, seeing some people in hospital make you realize how lucky you are. The shop is very successful and whatever we make is donated to the hospital to help improve patient care. My advice to all new volunteers is to only take on what you can easily handle.”
Ann Jacobs
“I am retired and I used to be alone at home all day. A friend of mine advised me to join my local hospital as a volunteer. Since May I have been volunteering two days a week as a sales assistant. I really enjoy my role, people are very nice. The most important thing for me is that I have gotten back my self esteem. I believe that the success of the shop makes a big contribution to the hospital and to the patients.”
Jilly Charalambous
“I was born and have lived in the surrounding areas of St Mary’s all my life. When I started to have some free time, I decided to give something back to my local hospital. I volunteer at the outpatients’ canteen making sandwiches, rolls and work at the tills. It is a great hospital where I enjoy meeting new people. I volunteer 4-5 hours a week.
I don’t have set hours, so I volunteer when available and when I am needed. As part of the Friends of St Mary’s we make a lot of money for the hospital which then in turn helps to support both the visitors and patients.”
Charing Cross Hospital
Nina Hedley – Charing Cross Hospital information desk
Charing Cross is a general acute hospital that provides a full range of adult clinical specialties. It houses the serious injuries centre for west London, a result of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust's expertise in critical medical care.
“I started volunteering a year after retiring from the BBC where I had worked for 23 years. I wanted to work with children with Down’s syndrome but at the time hospital didn’t offer this service for volunteers. So instead I took the position of receptionist at the information desk where I have now been for 26 years! I very much enjoy my role and love the things that are arranged for volunteers at the end of each year such as river trips or parties.”
Dorit Haines – Charing Cross Hospital information desk
“I was retired and had the free time so I volunteered.” Dorit Haines has been volunteering for the last 34 years and during that time she has had a variety of roles at Charing Cross Hospital. She has worked on the wards, befriended patients, worked in the gift shop and is currently working on the information desk. Dorit has said that she continues to volunteer at the hospital because she finds it “interesting to deal with patients and members of the public.” She also volunteers at her local church on Saturdays at the soup kitchen, on Tuesdays which is fruit and vegetable day and still manages to find time to be part of the church choir.
Pennine Care Trust Steven
In the last two years Steven made the transition from volunteer to becoming a paid member of staff for Oasis café at Stepping Hill Hospital, and this is his personal account.
“I trained as a chef after leaving school and have worked in this field for most of my life. Due to anxiety and depression, I became unemployed, but after a spell in hospital felt I needed to get my life back together. At the time, I was put in touch with various organisations and subsequently went to presentation given by the Volunteers coordinator from Pennine Care NHS to a local mental health group, After this I decided that I would like to work as a volunteer and contacted the coordinator who suggested that because of my experience, I may like to try working at the Oasis café at Stepping Hill Hospital who offer a variety of opportunities for people to be involved as volunteers. It was just the sort of thing I needed ,the staff were very supportive and I quickly settled and became confident working on the counter which is something I didn't think I would be able to do for a long time.
Last November a paid assistant manager’s post became available which I was persuaded to apply for, although I didn't think I was ready for it at the time. I was overwhelmed that the Oasis team thought that I had the qualities to fulfil that role. At the interview I felt confident in answering the questions because I had already gained the experience and knowledge of the cafe setup. I work for 20 hours per week which is just what my GP had recommended for my wellbeing. I also contacted Job Centre Plus to inform them I was coming off incapacity benefit and subsequently received a job grant of £100 and a "back to work" grant of £40 per week for the year. This means that I am financially better off than I was when I was on benefits. I think also that the big difference in taking this job is the extra responsibility, but this hasn't been too daunting and I have had support all the way.
The volunteering role as a café assistant was a positive experience which enabled me to go forward in the knowledge that I can do the job. I was also given the opportunity to take a volunteers accredited course and I gained a lot of knowledge from the content of the course as it was relevant to my work in the café. For example, many of the customers are receiving mental health services and they sometimes want a friendly face to talk to and perhaps unburden themselves. The course gave me an understanding of mental health issues and the boundaries surrounding them.”
My journey as a volunteer
Going through serious problems with my own mental health over the last six years has given me a strong desire to help others having difficulties with their mental wellbeing. Because of this I started volunteering for Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust in August 2007 as a photography group assistant for The Painting with Light Photography Group. This came about because I participated in a 12 week photography course which was instigated by The Recovery and Inclusion Team in March 2007 and held at Stockport Day Centre. I’ve been a member of Stockport Day Centre for two and a half years now and through their help and inspiration, along with that of ARC (Arts for Recovery in the Community), I’m finally my way again.
The aim of the photography course was to plan and produce a calendar entitled “A Journey Towards Recovery” representing images of Stockport using themes of “journeys, hopes and dreams”. Trough the course, I stated rediscovering a passion for photography that I thought was gone forever. I had to overcome a lot of fear to get out there and take the photographs for my contribution to the calendar. But taking a risk and beating my fear of leaving the house (my “safe” place) was incredibly rewarding for me. I had a wonderful time getting totally lost in the feeling of creating pictures.
I discovered that it’s possible to feel excited and passionate about something again. It definitely started a journey towards recovery for me as photography is in my heart. I made some lovely friends within the group and was given the chance to help out more as a volunteer as I naturally seemed to be taking on more of a supportive role. Before my illness, I was a professional photographer running my own wedding and portrait photography business for 10 years, so my previous experiences were ideal.
Once I formally started volunteering for Pennine Care, I was given the opportunity to learn more about the role and undertook a six week course in May 2008 entitled “Mental Health Services – Introduction to Volunteering” which is accredited by The National Open College Network. I passed with flying colours and was very proud to receive my certificate at a Volunteer luncheon held at the trust headquarters. I’m also very lucky to have the constant support of my supervisor Gill Wharton who is the Volunteer Coordinator for Stockport.
Gill is always there to help me through, especially when times aren’t so good and I feel unwell. I had a very bad patch towards the end of last year and I very nearly didn’t take the opportunity to start a new course. Thankfully, through Gill’s encouragement, I did go for it and I’m so glad I did. It’s a City and Guilds NVQ level3 course entitled “Preparing to Teach Adult in the Lifelong Learning Sector” (PTLLS) run by Stockport Continuing Education.
It’s a challenging step for me but I’m really enjoying it. With Gill’s support, I’m taking a short break from my volunteering whist I’m an the course as I’ve learnt that it’s important for me not to take too much on at once. My long term goal is to get back into employment, using my skills and experiences to help, encourage and support others to lead the lives they want to lead.
Being a volunteer for Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust has been invaluable to me and I’ve started to feel a new sense of worth. The safe and nurturing environment had given me the opportunity to recover and develop at my own pace, in ways I hadn’t thought possible. I can now see that there is light at the end of the tunnel after all.
The Healtherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals
Irene Holland
“I retired five years ago and gradually became very bored, I was a secretary and computer literate so I decided to approach Wexham Park Hospital where I met Tricia Wright, and she set me on the road to different aspects of helping around the hospital. I could have returned to work but volunteering suits me much better as there is no pressure, and I also feel a good sense of satisfaction trying to help around the hospital.
I have done many admin jobs around the hospital, and I also help Tricia out when she needs some admin assistance. I have also done a great deal of formatting and typing for Paul Deeming the Chaplin of the hospital. I also work as a cashier in the WRVS shop on a Sunday. This is also very interesting and I meet all sorts of interesting people. Once again there is no pressure as there would normally be with the general public, and we all know how awkward they are. They do know we are all volunteers so their attitude is extremely pleasant.
I gain from being a volunteer a great deal of personal satisfaction and hopefully putting something back for all I have taken out. Meeting lots of good people like Tricia.”
Sarah Bridges
Sarah is volunteering as a Breastfeeding Counselor for Wexham Hospital on the post natal ward, where she gives advice to new mothers that feel confused from the mix information they receive. Sarah gets real buzz out of helping new mothers regain confidence in their own ability’s, she said “I have found the perfect job.” Her role involves giving emotional support to new mothers to make their life a little bit easier by reassuring them on any worries they might have. She offers practical support by explaining and training them to breastfeed the right way, so they don’t feel any pain. She also provides information packs and offers a listening ear. Sarah mentioned that by speaking to the mothers face to face, she is able to understand better the problems each of them is facing and get the opportunity to give personalized advices. Sarah is currently the only Breastfeeding Counselor Volunteer at Healtherwood and Wexham Park Hospital, however, the voluntary services team is planning to recruit more volunteers to help out. Sarah said, “I believe that my role is very important for new mothers and their babies.”
Tricia Wright, Patient Information & Voluntary Services Coordinator
Our volunteers at the Trust contribute in many varied ways to our special environment of friendliness and empathy to all.
- Lise plays an important part in making parents feel a little less anxious about their children when they come to our Children's ward. She also helps the ward staff in small ways, making their lives a little less stressful.
- Sarah offers invaluable support to new mums, encouraging them to breastfeed their babies. As a mother herself she knows what it is like to have a new baby. She is there to reassure and help so that mums have every support whilst establishing breastfeeding their babies.
- Irene has provided invaluable clerical support throughout the Trust when staffs are under pressure and need some extra help sending out letters, filing, etc.
Without the help of our volunteers, we simply could not offer the wide range and high quality of services patients have increasingly come to expect. Volunteers provide the icing on the cake making our patients' experience whilst in hospital that bit more comfortable.
