Celebrating Volunteers’ Week
National Volunteers’ Week, running from 1 – 7 June, is a chance to recognise the invaluable contributions of people across all sectors who offer up their time to volunteer across Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH).
There are around 1,000 volunteers who freely give their time and skills to volunteer across NUH. They cover different roles, which include: Meet and greet volunteers, cleaners, spiritual and pastoral care, helping with meal times for patients, gardening and tram volunteers.
All volunteers are fully trained for the role that they undertake, after a thorough interview and vetting process.
Like many roles, the requirements of the volunteer role has changed during the pandemic and it has seen them take on: Additional cleaning roles - which is vital to keeping our hospital safe, alongside filling up mask dispensers and hand sanitiser stations and ensuring everyone is being safe and social distancing.
Kerry Harper, Voluntary Services Manager, said: “Our volunteers are valued members for Team NUH and make an important difference to our patients, staff and visitors. Our volunteers are inspirational; they all have their reasons for wanting to volunteer and give back to our Hospitals, and they often go above and beyond their role to help in so many ways.”
The role of the meet and greet volunteers, is to offer a friendly welcoming point of initial contact and help for patients and visitors, with some of them based on Main Reception at the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC).
Nigel Bolstridge, who is a Meet and Greet volunteer said: “I’ve been a volunteer since October 2019 and I really enjoy it. It’s a rewarding role and as a volunteer I get to play a special part in someone’s journey while they are in the hospital
“Since the pandemic started, I have been doing all sort of things to help out including making sure the facemask dispensers are filled up and lots of cleaning.
Glynis Peil, who works on the main entrances at the QMC as a Meet and Greet volunteer, said: “I have been a volunteer for around six years after I left work. I enjoy how busy it can be and helping other people.
“I volunteer once a week on a Friday morning and I really enjoy getting to know the other volunteers.”
Glynis said in her spare time she likes to keep active by playing badminton, bowls and going to the gym.
- Our volunteers are vital and valued members of our team. That’s why we’ve launched an award category for them to be celebrated in! You can nominate a volunteer for an award here.