Tens of thousands of people have volunteered to help the NHS over
the last year, according to new figures.
From people in their late teens to those in their late eights
volunteers have helped with tasks such as directing loved ones
around hospitals, collecting medication or basic admin tasks.
Around 70,000 people volunteer with the NHS and spend an average
of a fortnight helping the NHS each year.
In West Hertfordshire, Maja Jeffree, aged 17, and , aged 87 volunteer by playing
board games with patients, distributing books from the mobile
library and delivering newspapers.
Alan has volunteered in the NHS since his wife, Shelia, passed
away a decade ago, and has clocked up more than 1,000 hours
volunteering over the last decade.
Alan said of Watford General Hospital: “They really looked after
my wife, so I decided to apply to become a volunteer. I love it.
I get to meet different people; it keeps me young and fit.”
Alan usually gives up around nine hours a week spread over three
days.
“It's special to me because I get to meet people, understand what
they are going through and it reminds me how lucky I am that at
my age I still do things I love, like volunteering. That's the
best part of it.
"Instead of sitting at home, just volunteer and help people. Even
if you just make cups of tea, it's helping people. There's plenty
of places to volunteer. It gives you purpose to come out and help
people. If you can help someone, just go and help them. You see
so many people who are ill, and just to be here to help them is a
reward in itself.”
NHS England figures published today during national Volunteers
Week shows that 71,828 people volunteered in NHS trusts in the
last year donating over 6.4 million hours of their time.
London was the region with the most volunteers at 14,072 followed
by 13,685 in the Midlands and 10,026 in the North East and
Yorkshire.
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing
Officer for England, said: “This Volunteers' Week, we
want to say a huge thank you to every one of our 70,000
volunteers who make such a valuable contribution to the NHS and
its patients.
“There are so many different volunteering roles that people can
take part in whether they're old or young which can help you
learn new skills, meet people, and even give you a taste of what
it would be like to join our fantastic workforce.
“If you are interested in volunteering in the NHS, you can find
out more information by visiting the NHS volunteering website and
hear about opportunities near you."
Maja aged 17 was inspired to become a volunteer by a friend and
now spends one to two days a week volunteering on the
wards.
Maja said: “It feels amazing to be able to help the NHS this way.
You never know when you may need to use the services and it's a
great way to support the nurses and doctors too who are working
extremely hard all the time.
“The biggest highlight of volunteering for me has been meeting
new people and volunteering with my friends. We have a good laugh
and do a good thing at the same time.
“It is incredibly rewarding seeing the patients' faces light up
when I ask them if they would like a tea or a biscuit and knowing
that the five-minute conversations I have with them make all the
difference to their day.
“My advice to any volunteer would be to just put yourself out
there and take it all as it comes. The memories, the people you
meet, and the skills you gain by volunteering are invaluable –
it's an amazing opportunity and I think anyone who can do it,
should do it.”
