Amanda Lang
It’s Volunteers Week (1-12 June), an annual celebration of the
fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK
every year.
To mark the awareness week, in this edition of ‘Introducing’ we speak to one of our new
volunteers, Amanda Lang, who tells us the reasons behind why she wanted to become a
volunteer at the hospital, how she got involved and why it’s been such a rewarding
experience.
What inspired you to become a volunteer?
I grew up in Fife in Scotland, and I was always taught that it’s important to do things for
other people – to give your time where you can. As a child, I used to go to the Red Cross
with my mum and help out by making tea for people.
Fast forward a number of years and my mother, who is living with dementia, is now receiving support from a number of volunteers – people giving up their time to help. When I
realised just how much time they were giving to my mum it crystallised something in me
to action – I thought ‘surely I have some time I can give to help people too?’
How do you find out about the volunteering opportunity?
I just went out and found a bit more information – there’s plenty of advice on our website
(here). Having seen so many of our volunteers around the hospital I was aware that they
did loads, including helping out in the hospital gardens, manning the front desk, looking
after our hospital radio station – I knew there were many options and possibilities for me.
I then spoke to the Trust’s Voluntary Services Manager, Sue Tarpey, who provided, even
more, detail about how I could get involved as a volunteer and the types of opportunities
that were available.
Can you tell us more about your volunteering role?
I help out the ward staff at meals times with feeding our patients – they sometimes need
an extra pair of hands. The role is very new – I needed a little training before getting involved.
It takes around 45 minutes or so, and I pick the days I volunteer – I sometimes do it during
my lunch break or – everything is very flexible.
Do you work at the hospital?
Yes, I am Patient Safety Midwife – I’ve been here for more than three years in that role,
making sure pregnant women are being treated safely at the hospital, that we’re reaching
national standards, and investigating any incidents that do arise.
What do you enjoy about volunteering?
It’s incredibly rewarding to give some of your time to people in need – our patients really
appreciate it and so do our staff.
I’m also really happy with the welcome I’ve received from the ward team – it feels like
you’re really making a difference.
There’s also the added benefit of finding out more about other aspects of the hospital
and meeting and working with new people – sometimes we can isolate ourselves in our
own little ‘bubbles’ – so it’s good to escape that and do something new.
There is no pressure on your time either – you can volunteer as much or a little as you
want – the team will find something that suits you and fits in with your other priorities, be
that work commitments, family or life in general! If life changes at all I might find that I
need to change the way I am volunteering but there is plenty of scope!
Do you see your volunteering role developing in future?
I hope so! I’d like to do more befriending – which means sitting with and speaking to our
patients who are without visitors.
I think it’s important that patients without visitors do receive regular social interaction
and companionship – and our volunteers help to provide that, which is a great thing.
Finally, with it being Volunteers Week, what do you have to say to someone who is considering volunteering at the hospital?
I’d say ‘what are you waiting for’?!
Volunteering offers you the chance to give something back to the community and make a
real a difference to the people who visit, stay or work at this hospital.
Are you interested in volunteering at the hospital?
For further information, please contact:
Sue Tarpey - Voluntary Services Manager
Tel: 01934 647005;
Email: [email protected]
Or tweet us at @westonNHS