Team QEH will be attending a special volunteering Wellfest event to help celebrate the difference voluntary activity makes across health and social care in Norfolk.
Taking place at the Duke’s Head Hotel, King’s Lynn, on Tuesday, 17 October between 11am and 2pm, representatives from across the voluntary sector, as well as health and social care organisations, will be on hand to show and celebrate the work of volunteers.
Among them will be our own Volunteering Team at the event which will be opened by North West Norfolk MP James Wild.
At The QEH we are looking to grow our army of volunteers who make a world of difference to the hospital by regularly sparing a few hours to help support patients, their families, and our dedicated staff in a variety of ways – from driving our new patient buggy to helping out on wards.
They assist patients, from calming the anxious on their way to an appointment, helping the pharmacy get medications dispensed to assisting people with their lunch.
Our volunteers are very much seen as being part of the Team QEH family and are celebrated. In fact, Jim Tripp, a volunteer at The QEH’s Rudham children’s ward for the past 25 years is known affectionately as the ‘Wednesday Wonder’ and picked up the John Voaden Volunteer of the Year Award at the Team QEH Awards this week.
He entertains children through play and activities, or by chatting to them if they are lonely or scared. He reassures and supports parents on difficult days and has made a difference to many
Team QEH is now actively looking for more volunteers to join us. Whatever your skill set, and however much or little time you can give, there is a volunteer role here for you at Team QEH. You can apply today online (before Friday 3 November) or find out more from the team at Wellfest.
Wellfest has been organised by the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System which sees NHS hospitals, GPs, mental health and community health services, local councils, care homes and social workers, voluntary and community organisations and others – joining forces to agree and plan for local people’s needs.
Volunteers from a host of organisations will share how the skills gained during their previous careers have been put to good use as well as hearing how volunteering has improved confidence and support back to paid employment.
The event will feature interactive stands and displays with opportunities to speak to current volunteers about what they do in their own words, meet local Pets As Therapy dogs or even take up the opportunity of having a therapeutic hand massage.
Jules Alderson, Workforce Transformation Volunteering Programme Manager at NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said: “Volunteers are the life blood of our communities who play such a valuable role in supporting our local communities and their hard work and commitment is very much appreciated.
“We hope the event will provide an opportunity to reflect and say ‘thank you’ to all volunteers as they continue to support our health and social care organisations. We also hope it will spur others into action, to find out more about the benefits of volunteering and how they can get involved and support.”
For more information about Wellfest, please visit: https://improvinglivesnw.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/ or contact Jules at: nwicb.workforce@nhs.net
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