Can you spare time to volunteer in a care home?
We couldn’t do what we do without our amazing volunteers. Whether meeting and greeting people when they arrive at our hospitals and helping them get to where they need to be; helping our patients to eat and drink well to aid their recovery; or making sure patient notes and records are collected and delivered, we’re indebted to the selfless time and dedication they give to enable our people can focus on supporting our patients.
But did you know that we also work closely with local care homes to help residents remain independent, and reduce an avoidable hospital admission? Our care home volunteers play an incredibly important role befriending people, including those with a range of health conditions, frailty, and in some cases dementia.
Volunteering coordinator Nick Payne is organising a week of events in September to share more about the benefits of volunteering and encouraging people to sign up.
He said: “Our care home volunteers are our unsung heroes. There’s lots of research that shows social interaction combats loneliness and isolation and is important for health and wellbeing, and spending time talking to people who live in care homes and encouraging them to take part in activities has enormous benefits and can even reduce them being admitted to hospital.
“We are incredibly grateful to our team of amazing volunteers who give up their time to help in our hospitals, but we are desperately looking for more people to help support our care homes. It’s a really rewarding and varied role, and ranges from talking to people, helping at mealtimes, playing games and event helping them to use digital technology so they can keep in touch with their friends and family. You don’t need to have any experience as full training will be provided and you can give as little or as much time as you are able.”
Sam Ebden, Registered Manager at Pendennis Care Home, said: “As a care home, we find the NHS volunteers who come to us and spend time with our residents an amazing addition to their daily lives. The volunteers spend time chatting, assisting with activities, and providing company during mealtimes with the residents, and the fact they are a new face means that they make different connections with our residents.
“I would say to anyone thinking of becoming an NHS volunteer in a care home to give it a go and make that difference to someone’s day.”
Nick will be at:
- Paignton Library on Friday 12 September from 9am to 1pm.
- Tesco in Newton Road, Newton Abbot on Monday 8 September from 9am to 3:30pm
- Paignton Library on Tuesday 9 September from 9am to 1pm
- Newton Abbot Library in the Passmore Edwards Centre, Market Street on Wednesday 11 September from 9am to 1pm
- Morrisons in Totnes Road, Paignton on Thursday 11 September from 9am to 3:30pm
Volunteering is a great way to make a big difference and meet new friends, gain a new experience, enhance your CV or college and university applications, and to support our NHS and your community. All our volunteers are trained and supported in their roles.
If you are 16 or older, and want to help enhance the experience and care of our patients, please contact our volunteering team by calling 01803 656272 or see our volunteering pages.