NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s Volunteers To Hold Celebration of Learning Event.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s volunteers are preparing for their first ever Celebration of Learning event. The gathering at the Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries coincides with National Volunteer Week 1-7^th June and sets the scene to bring together volunteers from across the region together to share in each other’s achievements.

Working in Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary and Mountainhall Treatment Centre, volunteers aged 16 to 80+, from a variety of backgrounds, are making a difference every day to patients and staff.

Volunteer Roles include Welcome Guides, Ward Volunteers, Spiritual Care, Infection Control, Cancer Information and Support Centre and Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteers.

Volunteers are required to participate in NHS Dumfries and Galloway Core Training and have the opportunity to take up additional training devised specifically for volunteer roles, such as dementia training and wheelchair assistance training.

Caroline Sharp, Workforce Director for NHS Dumfries and Galloway said:

“Volunteers are greatly valued by our staff across the organisation for their commitment and dedication to making the experience for patients, relatives and carers in a healthcare setting the best it can be.   In addition they show care and concern for staff which often comes as a welcome surprise and is always greatly appreciated. 

“We are committed to ensuring that our volunteers are looked after, feel valued and are given the opportunity to learn new skills and take up training wherever possible.”

Margaret McGroggan, Volunteer Co-ordinator for NHS Dumfries and Galloway said:

“The  key aspects of my role are to recruit and train suitable volunteers who are committed and dedicated and who want to help make the patient experience better (this includes the family, carer or friends of the patient), it is also to ensure the experience for the volunteer is the best it can be. 

“I do a lot of work around training and events for our volunteers so that they get as much out of the experience as they give to their role.

“People take up the role of volunteer for a whole host of reasons including gaining valuable experience, improving employability prospects, socialising/meeting new people, bringing structure to the week and being active. For some it’s a way building up or regaining confidence and for some it’s very simply about doing good for others.”

Volunteer Co-ordinator Margaret McGroggan is working on the next round of volunteer recruitment for DGRI and Mountainhall, and has her sights set on recruiting volunteers for community hospitals throughout the region in consultation with staff in rural communities.

Margaret and her teams of volunteers will be hosting information stands during National Volunteer Week at the following venues:

• Stranraer Library:  Fri 1^st June 10am – 12noon

• The Hut, Newton Stewart: Fri 1^st June 2pm – 4pm

• DGRI Main Atrium: Fri 1^st June 18   10am – 4pm

Mon 4^th and Tue 5^th June 10am – 4pm

Wed 6^th June 10am – 4pm then 6pm – 7.30pm

Thu 7^th June 10am – 3.30pm

If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer come along, meet our volunteers and staff, and pick up an application form.