Recently I accompanied a family member to Craigavon Area Hospital Accident and Emergency Department. As with most people in that waiting room we were feeling very vulnerable and on edge as we waited to be seen. As I sat there, I noticed a lady mingle through the packed waiting room in the most unassuming, quiet way. You would have barely noticed that she was there. I watched as she spoke to an elderly lady who was sitting alone, she stood back when an emergency bed was rushed through and then made her way through the waiting room again. She didn’t say much but for some reason her presence was so comforting. I noticed that her white poloshirt said “Volunteer”.
I thought about how amazing that was. That someone would give up their time to comfort people in distress. I was also very grateful that my family member had me and didn’t need the support of the volunteer. Or so I thought?
Quickly, as things often do in A&E, our situation escalated. Even though I would like to think of myself as a calm person, I panicked. I needed a wheelchair and I couldn’t find one anywhere. This lady quickly came to my aid and her and I went in search of a wheelchair. She instructed me where to look and she went in the opposite direction. We eventually met back at A&E after finding a wheelchair and she then went to alert the doctors in triage that we were coming through. In all this time I think she only spoke a few words of reassurance.
Thankfully all was ok with us as a family but when I returned home that evening and in the days to follow I thought of that lady and the impact she had on us and I’m sure on many others. I shared the story on social media and here we are. The Southern Health and Social Care Trust reached out to thank me for sharing and to tell me a little bit more about the Volunteer Service they provide.
The Southern Health and Social Care Trust believe;
'Volunteering is the commitment of time and energy for the benefit of society and the community, the environment, or individuals outside, (or in addition to) one’s immediate
family. It is unpaid and undertaken freely and by choice'
(Department for Social Development, Join in Get Involved, Build a Better Future 2012)
How to become a volunteer;
The SHSCT has three volunteer coordinators who recruit, train, and support volunteers on
their journey through volunteering. Aine Mulholland covers the Craigavon area, Karen McCabe covers the Armagh area and Katrina Lavery covers the Newry area. We also have a dedicated admin staff member, Rebekah Lee.
Volunteers are guided through the process by each of the coordinators, who meet with
potential volunteers to discuss what their interests are, what they want to get out of volunteering, and what skills they feel they can contribute to the role. Once they have
completed this discussion, and after discussing all the volunteering options with the
coordinator, they choose their preferred volunteering role. The volunteer then goes through a registration process, which involves completing a registration form, providing two references, and completes an Access Ni check. The volunteer completes essential training, either face to face, or online. They also complete safeguarding training.
The volunteer coordinator is with the volunteer every step of the way, ensuring that this is a smooth process, and completed as quickly as can be. Once this registration and training process has been completed, the volunteer is inducted into their volunteer role, by the volunteer coordinator. At this stage they meet the member of staff in their placement who supports them in this role (keyworker). The Keyworker (KW) is the main point of contact for the volunteer, they check in with the volunteer to ensure that they are happy in the volunteering role and if any issues or training needs arise they can discuss these with them.
The KW and volunteer coordinator meet with the volunteer at 6 weeks and annually to review their progress and to ensure they are happy in their role.
All volunteers receive;
● Out of pocket travel expenses
● Essential training
● A Volunteer Polo-shirt and name badge.
● Support from the Volunteer Coordinator and Key Worker.
● Celebration and Thank you events, where by all volunteers are invited to come
together to meet and network with other volunteers. These events can be picnics,
afternoon tea, celebration events during Volunteer week. SHSCT ensure that
volunteers are celebrated, thanked and recognised for all of their hard work and the
time that they donate to the Trust.
● Quarterly newsletter with updates and news, keeping all volunteers up to date and
aware of everything that is happening, as well as acknowledging and celebrating new
volunteers inducted into volunteer’s roles.
● Enjoyment and satisfaction of helping other people.
● Invaluable experience to use for career development, or university applications.
What roles can our volunteers do?
There are ten volunteering roles available, in a variety of different settings.
These roles are;
1. Activity support
2. Here to help/meet and greet
3. Macmillan
4. Spiritual support
5. Volunteer drivers.
6. Breast feeding peer support
7. Pets as therapy
8. Mealtime support
9. Befriender
10. Mentor
1. Activity Support provides interaction and support to patients/service users to help them
engage in activities to enhance their experience. The most popular of the activity support
roles are in the children’s wards, where volunteers come in once a week to spend time
playing and chatting with the young patients, providing a friendly face for them.
We also have Fit 4 U Activity Support volunteers. These volunteers assist and support adults
with physical/sensory disabilities at local leisure facilities to participate in physical activity
co-ordinated through Fit 4 U Project. E.g.Boxercise, boccia, bowls, kurling, fitness suite,
dance, archery, walking etc
2. Here to Help volunteers direct and assist visitors coming into the hospital. They help them
find their way around to their appointments and help put them at ease as they make their
way. This role is based in Craigavon and Daisyhill hospitals.
Meet & Greet in Emergency Department; This is a busy role, whereby the volunteers assist
patients coming into ED, direct them to various areas, help those who may not have heard
their name being called and chat to those who are anxious or on their own. Promoting well being hub; based in Craigavon hospital, volunteers provide health promotional information and direction to staff and/or service users within the hospital setting .
3. Macmillan Information Hub; volunteers in this role are based in the Macmillan hubs in
the Daisyhill and Craigavon hospitals. They support people to access the information and
resources that they require in the Hub.
4. Spiritual Support Volunteers supporting the Pastoral Care Team in CAH & DHH. They visit wards, meeting patients, providing a ‘listening ear’ or prayer support as appropriate. They pass on any specific requests to chaplains and to provide information about spiritual care or
chaplaincy Services to patients.
5. Volunteer Drivers assist the transport department in escorting service users to and from day time facilities.
6. Breast Feeding Peer Support supporting mothers to succeed at breastfeeding. This role is suitable for those who have successfully breastfed. The breastfeeding volunteers receive training, with another cohort being trained later in the year.
7. Pets as Therapy; the volunteers bring their pets into Trust settings to encourage service
users to interact and gain therapeutic benefits. There are currently two volunteers in this
role, with their two dogs. They currently visit wards in the Craigavon area.
8. Meal Time Support Volunteers; these volunteers receive training before commencing this
role. They help patients/service users enjoy their meal and receive good nutrition by
providing encouragement, assistance to cut up food, remove lids from food products.
9. Befriending volunteers support, chat with, and engage with patients/service users during
their time in hospital, day facilities or during planned activities. They alleviate the boredom
of being in hospital and provide someone who has the time to listen and chat to the
patients.
10. Mentor volunteers supporting young people and provide them with diversionary
activities. Volunteers in these roles support young people who are in foster placements, or
at home, providing them with a listening ear, meeting with them once a week, or a
fortnight.
SHSCT Staff choir; The volunteers service also support the SHSCT Staff Trust choir, which is
made up of past and current SHSCT staff member. This choir performs regularly, at Trust
events such as Christmas Carols, volunteer celebration events, and visiting wards
What People Say
Volunteer quotes;
“It has increased my confidence and helped me with opportunities for jobs”.
“I’ve attended various training courses. It’s helped build up my knowledge and skills and
awareness of different disabilities”.
“It has opened my eyes a lot and cemented my interest in a future career in healthcare”.
“I’m learning every day, there’s always something new and different”
Keyworker quotes;
“We are a better organisation with volunteers involved with the passion, experience and skills
they bring. They are here because they want to be and always have a smile on their face”.
“The volunteers in emergency department are an invaluable service, they are a great point of
contact in the waiting room. Patients and staff are benefiting greatly from their friendly
approach”
If you would like to find out more about becoming a volunteer please contact any of the addresses below:
Volunteering | Southern Health & Social Care Trust (hscni.net)
Visit the website;
I hope this blog helps raise awareness about the good people in our society and the great work that Southern Health and Social Care Trust is doing to support those in need. If anyone reading this has ever experienced the kindness of a volunteer please let us know.
I will never forget that lady who helped us. If she ever reads this I want her to know the
impact she had on us as a family at a very worrying time.
Love Caroline AKA Digg Mama
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