With more than 300 dedicated volunteers already across its hospital and community sites, the trust is appealing for more helping hands.
Volunteers are needed to provide support on the wards, offering companionship to patients and assisting staff at mealtimes.
This role is described as both “enriching” and “rewarding,” providing an opportunity to learn new skills and gain experience in healthcare.
WWL’s patient activities’ volunteer coordinator, Melanie Cornish, explained the significance of ward volunteers.
She said: “Ward volunteers are an integral part of a patient’s care.
“They provide company and help get our patients moving and active again through a range of activities.
“The ward volunteers get to know our patients and what they like to do, so they can do anything from playing chess with them, doing pop quizzes to colouring or chair-based yoga.
“It’s also a great opportunity for our ward volunteers to learn new skills and gain experience in healthcare.”
Freya Bonner, a ward volunteer at Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, shared her experience.
She said: “I have been a ward volunteer for a couple of months now and have settled in easily.
“The staff are approachable and friendly, and the role itself is so rewarding.
“Having the opportunity to speak to patients from different backgrounds with lots of different stories is so interesting, and a great experience.
“I would recommend this role to anyone, WWL is a really special place.”
With the support of Melanie and other ward staff, volunteers are encouraged to engage with patients in fun activities, improve mobility and recovery, or simply be a friendly face to provide company and support.
Anyone interested in taking on four-hourly sessions per week or exploring other volunteering opportunities with WWL should contact voluntary services manager, Nadia Bousseau, on 07899 039 955 or at volunteer@wwl.nhs.uk.
