Volunteers Week 2023: 'Why I Volunteer'
1 - 7 June 2023 is this year's annual national Volunteers Week.
#TeamUHDB has marked Volunteers Week across our organisation with a range of events, including our Voluntary Services team organising a week-long programme of activities for those who volunteer at our site - including coach trips, helipad tours, and more!
Volunteers play an invaluable role across UHDB - and the NHS as a whole - helping our hospital sites with patient care, operational support, and so much more. Many who visit our hospital sites will have come into contact with a volunteer colleague in some shape or form - and Volunteers Week provides the perfect opportunity for us all to celebrate and express our gratitude for their varied, outstanding contribution to our organisation.
Volunteering empowers individuals and communities - providing an outlet to help those in need, contribute to society, and improve one's own wellbeing. Our volunteers at UHDB come from a range of different age groups, backgrounds, and disciplines - and work in a variety of departments across the organisation, but all share the same common goal: to support us in delivering exceptional care of patients.
Today, on the final day of Volunteers Week, we have spoken with a number of our fantastic volunteers about 'Why I Volunteer' - giving their time and energy to volunteer with us, sharing their stories on this special week.
Nightingale Macmillan Unit
At our Royal Derby Hospital site, one area that contains a large number of volunteer members of the #TeamUHDB family is our Nightingale Macmillan Unit.
This unit is a is a 20-bed specialist palliative care unit which provides care to patients with advanced progressive and life limiting illness: including patients with cancer and non-malignant diseases (such as motor neurone disease and end stage organ failure). Patients are referred to the unit for assessment and management of complex symptoms.
We had the pleasure of hearing from many of them during this special week to hear more about the work they do - some of whom have been at the unit for only a few months, and others for almost three decades!
Wendy Batters
Wendy has been working on the NMU for over nine years - and said that she loves 'giving the gift of time' to the patients in the unit, having the 'absolute privilege' to provide comfort in what is often a very challenging time for them.
"The unit is full of dedicated and caring staff, and importantly, hope.
"Many people have the misapprehension that an area like ours is a place of sadness - and of course there are times of great sadness for our patients - but this is such a happy place. Patients who come here find warmth, love, care and comfort - and we share a very special time with them.
"As volunteers we can assist colleagues in delivering the little, but essential things that they may not have the time to do otherwise, such as read a newspaper to a patient, dress their hair, take part in activities, or just sit and listen. That's the gift we give - time.
"I feel so proud to be an NMU 'Vollie'!"
Michele Fildes
Michele has volunteered at the NMU for 20 years, and couldn't agree more with Wendy, saying:
"I get satisfaction from knowing my little bit of time supports the nursing staff here, and that same time can be used by patients who may not feel they can 'offload' to friends or family members about their experience.
"Sometimes, a fresh face for patients, who aren't nurses or doctors, is appreciated - after undergoing many extensive treatments"
Michele was inspired to become a volunteer at the unit after the sad death of her father, who was cared for in the unit. After hearing him mention the 'Green Apron Ladies' and praising what they did, Michele felt she had to follow in their footsteps and give the same care to others that her father received - and became a 'Green Apron Lady' herself!
Bryn Woodward
Finally at the NMU, we spoke to Bryn, who has worked at the NMU for six years. Bryn said of his experience volunteering at the unit that, this was the "best role ever". He continued:
"After all the various jobs and vocations I have had, this is the position I've enjoyed the most. Being able to make even a small difference to patients and staff alike is the most rewarding experience.
"It truly is a privilege to be part of this incredible team."
Mary Cockburn
Mary has been volunteering at Royal Derby Hospital for four years, working in the Blood Clinic.
In this role, checks in patients to the clinic and is on hand to support the wider team in a variety of ways. Mary said she loves building a rapport with the patients and speaking with them before appointments, saying that she got involved to "give something back and to help the NHS - both its staff and its patients", and have a positive impact on patient care.
To those who were considering volunteering, Mary said: "Do it - spread your joy, and in helping others, you will get so much satisfaction back".
Jenna Langley
Jenna is currently a student, and has volunteered at Royal Derby Hospital's Ward 401 since September 2022 alongside her studies.
This role involves supporting the ward team and patients during mealtimes, whether that's serving the meals and assisting with feeding if needed, or just having a chat! Explaining what motivates her to volunteer, Jenna said:
"I wanted to work in a caring and compassionate role where I could make an impact to the patient experience, whilst learning new skills and gaining experience. Not only do I get to do all of that here, I also work alongside the friendliest of people and I'm so grateful for that.
"Putting a smile on the patient's faces with small gestures makes such a big difference to their care - and makes my day!"
Pets as Therapy volunteers
Across UHDB, volunteers work with Pets as Therapy to provide comfort and joy to patients receiving care. Two of our most popular 'furry friends' include Holly and Ozzy - two dogs whose friendliness and warmth make a huge difference to those at our sites.
PAT animals have a significant positive impact on patients, particularly those in our care who may be feeling anxious or overwhelmed as they await or recover from treatment. Holly and Ozzy are just two examples of our PAT animals who have provided comfort to people of all ages, from those awaiting paediatric care as well as our elderly patients.
Alex Coldron and Holly
Alex has been volunteering with Pets as Therapy at UHDB since 2019, with Holly, his golden retriever, passing her Therapy Dog assessment just before Christmas this year. Alex urged those considering volunteering to 'definitely give it a go'. He continued:
"I just want to help make people smile when they might have been having a really hard time. Even when we're just sat in the corridor, people look at Holly as they pass by and it's amazing to see their reaction.
"Pets as Therapy dogs are particularly helpful for those who have been in our care for a long time, and miss their pets at home, making everything feel that little bit more comfortable. 
"Whether they want a hug or to stroke Holly, or even to talk about their own pets, it's amazing to make a difference to patients and staff alike".
Ronnie Crawshaw and Ozzy
Veronica 'Ronnie' Crawshaw has been volunteering with her six-year-old cockapoo Ozzy across UHDB, particularly at our Queen's Hospital Burton site, since October 2022 - spreading happiness and positivity among staff, patients and visitors.
The impact of their work is such that, as part of this year's Patient Experience Week (which ran from 24-28 April 2023), Ronnie and Ozzy were voted as winners of our Patient Experience Champion of the Year Award by colleagues across the Trust.
Ronnie explained that she had seen the opportunity advertised, and that her love of people and the hospital environment, along with Ozzy's calm nature, made them the perfect PAT duo, saying:
"I had options to go to schools or care homes with Ozzy, but I just knew how much impact he would have on patients here, and with our staff. I just thought - what a lovely way to spend time volunteering, and to make a difference. Lots of us wish we could bring our dogs to work with us - so I feel very fortunate that I'm able to do this!
"I think we sometimes take the luxuries that we have at home for granted, including the pets that we have and the comfort they can provide, so when patients see him it really does brighten their day. For example, with our dementia patients, sometimes when they see Ozzy this can trigger a lot of memories for them - and they will start talking about a dog they had many, many years ago and that is so rewarding for everybody here."
You can look back to when we caught up with Ronnie and Ozzy at Queen's Hospital Burton just over a month ago in the video below: