Volunteers are often the heart and soul of any hospital, and QEII is no exception with passionate locals giving their time and energy to make a lasting difference for others.
This National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating and saying thanks to the incredible volunteers in orange who make an immeasurable contribution during what is often a tough time for patients and their loved ones.
Cheryl has been a compassionate support at QEII Hospital for more than 10 years, which she says is the perfect role for a chatterbox like herself.
“Every week when you come in there’s somebody different, and everyone has a different story to tell. They’re all interesting.
“A lot of them are elderly and their family isn’t able to visit as much as they like, so apart from the staff we might be the only person they speak to that day,” said Cheryl.
She volunteers alongside Chris in the Eat, Walk, Engage unit, where plenty of stories are swapped.
“It’s nice just to spend time with the patients and learn about their lives and what they’ve done. You think you’ll only spend five minutes talking to the patient but you’re there for 30 minutes.
“I always go away with a smile on my face every day, and hopefully I’ve contributed to a patient’s stay here at the hospital,” said Chris.
Mike is a veteran volunteer and agrees it’s the people who keep him coming back.
“They give me great satisfaction and put a smile on my face. Just to lighten their mood a little bit and have a laugh with them, I love that,” he said.
While the volunteers agree their focus is on helping patients, they also say it feels great to give.
“It makes me feel exhilarated. You’ll be amazed at how good it makes you feel,” said volunteer Barb.
“People come into the hospital and they’re a little bit nervous about their appointments, and if they’re not sure where to go I take them to their appointments. Really anything we can do to help.”
Thank you to all of our remarkable volunteers who make a real difference to our community at QEII Hospital.
If you’ve ever considered volunteering, there’s never been a better time to give it a go. More information is available online: Volunteering at QEII Hospital.