NHS Dumfries and Galloway is looking for volunteers to help out in wards at hospitals across the region, with a recruitment evening planned later this month.
More than 200 people in Dumfries and Galloway already spend some time each week, helping patients, family members and visitors. It’s hoped that the event at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary on the evening of Monday 26th February will bring more along to join them.
Whether providing peer support or just chatting with patients, ward volunteers improve patients’ experience in hospital, reduce isolation and loneliness, and complement the work of nursing and health care staff.
Margaret McGroggan is the volunteer co-ordinator for NHS Dumfries and Galloway, and she said:
“We are so grateful to our volunteers who come from all walks of life who have taken on a range of roles from care of older people to Breastfeeding Peer Support.
“They are highly valued and as an organisation we are committed to providing the best possible volunteering experience.
“The role of a Ward Volunteer is really rewarding and will help reduce isolation and loneliness for patients. This can be done through having a chat with patients, taking part in activities, for example playing cards, crosswords and providing a cuppa.
“For anyone who is considering becoming a ward volunteer there is so much to be gained from being part of this programme.”
Anyone interested in becoming a ward volunteer at DGRI or another hospital in Dumfries and Galloway should attend the event at DGRI from 6pm to 7.30pm on Monday 26th February. To register for the event, email [email protected] before the end of Thursday 22nd February.
For more information, or if you are not able to attend the event, email [email protected] or visit the NHS DG Volunteering web page https://www.nhsdg.co.uk/volunteering/
