Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is supported by a team of committed volunteers, working hard in the background to put a smile on patients’ face and ease their overall experience in hospital.
Today on Volunteers Day, meet some of the inspiring people who are making a difference.
Eloise
Dr Eloise Warrilow volunteers at University Hospital of Llandough each week, supporting the Mental Health Services for Older People through running art sessions.
Eloise runs fused glass art classes which keeps patients busy and gives them a sense of accomplishment during their hospital stay. “It is not what the patients make in the art sessions that is the most important thing, but how they feel” says Eloise.
The project has been hugely beneficial to patients, enabling them to explore their creativity and keep them entertained through the difficult times.
Eloise has also found volunteering extremely rewarding on a personal level: “My profession means I rarely meet people face-to-face anymore, so it is good to come to University Hospital Llandough and have that interaction with different people.”
Evan
Evan Pires volunteers as a patient befriender at the University Hospital of Wales.
Evan spends time with patients who may be lonely or bored during their stay. He chats with them and helps them with their phones, so they can communicate better with family and friends at home.
Recently, Evan’s mother was unwell and spent quite some time at the University Hospital of Wales. “I was taken aback by how hard these people work, and always with the highest levels of care and compassion.” Evan wanted to give something back and be a part of the hard work, so signed up as a volunteer.
“I find it incredibly rewarding to help people, it makes me feel happy and useful. Being a volunteer is a huge boost to my confidence and mental health.”
“I feel I have really helped some patients. Whether it's being a compassionate ear for a patient who is feeling depressed or just having a chat and a laugh with a patient to brighten their day.”
Anss and Raima
Friends Anss and Raima volunteer at University Hospital of Wales every Saturday together as patient befrienders.
The pair offer a friendly face to those who feel lonely and often chat to patients’ family members who are often upset after seeing loved ones unwell.
“One of the biggest advantages of volunteering is the self-fulfillment you get after you know that you have made a difference in someone’s life - whether it be small or big” Anss says.
“It’s really rewarding to see the patients smile and know that we’ve helped to cheer them up” says Raima
The pair feel like they have made a real difference to some patients: “patients get excited to see us every time we are on the wards.”
If you’d like to sign up as a volunteer, there are lots of volunteering opportunities available at hospital sites across Cardiff and the Vale.
A special shout out to all of our health board volunteers today, thank you for everything you do!
Visit https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/our-services/voluntary-services/general-volunteering/ to find out more.