The 400 existing volunteers give more than 60,000 hours of their time each year and make a real difference to patients’ experience.
The majority of the volunteers start as ward helpers, offering extra drinks and snacks, running errands and talking or reading to patients who do not have visitors. Others work as ‘meeters and greeters’ of the hospital, volunteer newspaper sellers or activity coordinators.
Erica Ford, from Cambridge, volunteers on F4, one of the medicine for the elderly wards. She said: “I had some spare time and as I live just up the road I thought might be able to help out for a few hours a week. It’s a very positive experience and extremely rewarding. All the old ladies on F4 are delightful and so are the staff.”
Catherine Baile said: “As a volunteer visitor I find there are always people who really appreciate having someone to chat or just to sit with them. Being a visitor is something that comes easily to me and I like to feel I’ve made a positive contribution to patient welfare. The team at the volunteer office are very warm and always pleasant.”
Giles Wright, head of volunteering & voluntary services at CUH said: “We are absolutely delighted with the results of the survey which gives us the confidence that what we are doing is right in terms of recruiting, training and guidance.
“Volunteers play a vital role in the hospitals helping to support staff to care for patients. We are always looking for people who are able to demonstrate our values of ‘kind, safe and excellent’ as well as being good at communicating.”
In the survey, 52 people, 15 per of the volunteer workforce, said they would recommend volunteering at CUH.
A recent report from the King’s Fund has highlighted the benefits volunteers bring to the health service, with survey respondents demonstrating the critical role they play in improving patient experience.
More information about volunteering at CUH
Image: Volunteers: Sue Nichols (left) and Erica Ford
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PR & Communications
Cambridge University Hospitals
For further information, please contact Adrian Ient, Media Relations Manager,
Communications Department, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ
Tel: 01223 274433 Email: adrian.ient@addenbrookes.nhs.uk
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