North Devon District Hospital managers launch volunteer recruitment drive

The Trust which runs North Devon’s hospitals is looking for more volunteers to help deliver the services it provides for patients.

The Royal Devon University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs North Devon District Hospital, currently has 396 volunteers, including 76 in North Devon, who gave a total of 28,355 hours’ service last year supporting staff to help deliver a better experience for patients.

The Trust is now launching a six-week programme to recruit new volunteers to carry on this valuable work. Volunteers help out both at the main hospital sites and also at clinics, such as the mobile vaccination unit at Tesco Extra at Barnstaple and Bideford Eye Clinic.

The Trust says there are many benefits for volunteers, including: connecting with others, making new friends, increasing social and relationship skills, increasing your self-confidence, and providing a sense of purpose.

A survey of volunteers found that 97 per cent said the experience had met or exceeded their expectations, while feedback included ‘Volunteering has given me a new lease of life’ and ‘I enjoy being useful again’.

Volunteering can also provide an opportunity to practise important workplace skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, task management and organisation. 

Recruiting for new volunteers is now open for regular roles in North Devon, including a dementia support volunteer on Fortescue ward at North Devon District Hospital, meet-and-greet volunteering at the hospital, pressure ulcer prevention volunteer, a therapy services (mobility) volunteer at South Molton Community Hospital, a ward support volunteer on Tarka and Roborough wards at North Devon District Hospital and patient safety partners. 

In total, the Royal Devon hopes to recruit 25 new volunteers. Details of all these roles can be found on the Royal Devon’s website. 

In addition to regular volunteering roles, the hospital Trust is also looking for volunteers for occasional roles, such as a music volunteer for Fortescue Ward at North Devon District Hospital. 

Fortescue Ward specialises in the care of older people and people with dementia. The ward is looking for a volunteer musician who can play to patients on an ad-hoc basis. If you are a pianist, there is an electric organ and stand already on site.

Also being recruited are members of the readers’ panel, who ensure that patient information leaflets are easy to understand. This can include patients whose first language is not English, or who may have sensory needs. Volunteers in this role give up two to three hours per month. This role can be done from home.

Catt Kinsey, voluntary services manager at the Royal Devon, said the current recruitment window would be open until mid-July, or longer in the case of roles with the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity, (formerly known as Over and Above).

According to Catt, the work of volunteers is invaluable. 

“They make such a huge difference,” she said. “I think the key is, they're having those interactions that a lot of the time medical staff don’t have the capacity to do. So it might be playing cards, sitting with someone, making a cup of tea or directing someone around the hospital. 

“It's all those things that enhance experiences for people who might be having potentially the worst day of their lives, so it just makes things a lot easier. They are all amazing individuals. I just wanted to say a real thank-you to them, because it is such a pleasure doing this role and getting to meet them all. They're amazing."

What’s it like to volunteer?

After retiring in 2011, former nurse Frances Paul now contributes to North Devon District Hospital as a volunteer.

A familiar face in the foyer at the hospital, as well as at Bideford Community Hospital, Frances regularly gives up her time to support patients, and to help raise valuable funds for the Royal Devon Hospitals Charity.

She said:  “I really enjoy meeting different people and it’s nice to know that you are helping others.

“I volunteer a couple of days a week and often get stopped in the street by people saying they recognise me.”

Frances added: “It’s lovely being able to volunteer for the hospital charity and to know that the money you raise is going back into hospitals in North Devon to help make them the best they can be.

“It’s nice to feel appreciated too and the charity team always welcome me with a smile and a cup of tea, and sometimes even a biscuit!”

One of North Devon District Hospital’s original nurses when it first opened in 1979, she returned to Raleigh Park as a volunteer in 2017, helping to feed and take books to patients staying on the wards.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, Frances returned to meet and greet patients at North Devon District Hospital and Bideford Community Hospital. She also began helping out in the hospital charity’s Rose Lane shop in Barnstaple, and started manning the charity’s stand in the hospital foyer in 2022.

Potential volunteers can find out more about helping out at the Royal Devon by visiting the website https://www.royaldevon.nhs.uk/ patients-visitors/volunteering/ 

Those without internet access can telephone 01271 322334.

Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign held from the first Monday in June to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers.

Launched in 1984, this initiative has been running for over 40 years.

Find out more online:  https:// 

volunteersweek.org/england