Call for volunteers in Edinburgh to take to the wards
Could you be the friendly face that makes all the difference to a hospital patient’s day?
Royal Voluntary Service is launching brand new hospital trolley services in the Outpatients Department at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh and at St. John’s Hospital in Livingston and is looking for cheerful, enthusiastic volunteers. It is also looking for additional volunteers for established trolley services at Liberton and Astley Ainslie Hospitals.
The Big Trolley Push is a nationwide volunteer recruitment campaign by volunteering charity, Royal Voluntary Service. Thanks to generous support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the charity is expanding its iconic hospital trolley services to reach more patients in more wards, more often.
Volunteers provide great customer service on the move, taking trolleys loaded with reading materials, healthy refreshments, treats, toiletries and other essentials around hospital wards. They make time to stop and chat with patients, helping ease the anxiety and sometimes loneliness experienced during a hospital stay, particularly by older people.
In return, volunteers enjoy being social and active in their local community, meeting new people, being part of a friendly team and supporting the NHS. Volunteering is flexible with hours to suit each individual.
Husband and wife trolley team Jill and Arthur Martin have been Royal Voluntary Service volunteers for many years. Jill says: “After retirement, I found I had spare time on my hands, so rather than get a part-time job, I thought I would give something back to the community by becoming a volunteer at our local hospital.
“It’s good to be able to help other people, especially when you know that there are a lot of lonely people, some of whom never see anyone else for days at a time.
“Meeting people, having a chat and seeing a smile on the faces of patients is lovely. I find it rewarding and would recommend volunteering to anyone.”
Arthur says: “There are lots of people out there who could do a little, which if you add it all up, becomes a lot.
“You don’t have to give a huge amount of time and it’s lovely to be appreciated by patients and by the charity.”
Andrew Roberts, Head of Retail Operations (North) at Royal Voluntary Service, said: “Our trolley volunteers are real NHS heroes and thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, there will soon be lots more of them.
“As well as offering essential items to make patients’ stay more comfortable, they bring real joy, especially to those that have little or no company. Seeing a friendly, familiar face who has time to chat can make all the difference to a patient.”
Chris Stirling, Site Director, Western General Hospital, said: “For many years, Royal Voluntary Service has been a familiar, friendly and welcome presence at the Western General Hospital, with its highly valued café and trolley services enhancing the experience of patients, visitors and staff.
“Throughout 2018 we have been celebrating the Western General’s 150th anniversary. A constant theme of the hospital’s 15 decades of healthcare provision is the pioneering and continuous endeavours of its staff to further improve services. In this special birthday year for the WGH, I’m delighted and grateful to see Royal Voluntary Service doing the same, expanding its trolley service and continuing to play an important and much appreciated role in the life of the hospital.”
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said: “Being in hospital can be a difficult time, especially for older people or those who don’t have friends and family nearby to visit them.
“We are really pleased that thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, there will be even more volunteers on hospital wards, bringing day to day essentials and the chance for a friendly chat to people’s bedsides.”
Royal Voluntary Service (or WVS as it was originally known) has supported the NHS since its inception. The charity’s trolleys were introduced onto hospital wards in 1946 and over the years have become a familiar and welcome sight for patients, visitors and staff alike.
Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with over 20,000 volunteers supporting thousands of people each month in hospitals, at home and in the community.
The simple acts of kindness volunteers provide, whether popping in for tea and a chat, helping out with a lift to a GP or social appointment or running chair-based exercises on hospital wards help make communities stronger and relieve the pressure on overstretched public services. The charity is also one of the largest retailers in the NHS, with its network of cafes and shops providing a valued haven in hospitals.
To find out more about becoming a Royal Voluntary Service hospital trolley volunteer in the Outpatients Department at the Western General,Liberton or Astley Ainslie Hospitals, contact
Service Managers Alyson Hutton on 0131 537 2564 or Samantha Campanella on 07827 939447, email alyson.hutton@
For enquiries about becoming a trolley volunteer at St. John’s Hospital in Livingston, contact Service Manager Patrick Delargy on 01506 524276 or email: patrick.delargy@
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