Peter Douglas
EASTERN Health is saying thanks to its 900-strong team of volunteers, who make invaluable contributions each and every day.
As part of National Volunteer Week, from 9 to 15 May, Eastern Health will pay tribute to volunteers such as Jill Blackwood (pictured), who has been a volunteer at Angliss Hospital’s emergency department for more than five years.
Ms Blackwood’s role includes providing comfort to patients and families in the emergency department.
“I’ve been a volunteer at Angliss Hospital’s emergency department for five and a half years,” she said.
“My role includes providing comfort to families in the emergency department.
“This can involve making them cups of tea and coffee, or giving children colouring books and pencils.
“It can also be as simple as talking to them.”
Ms Blackwood said the most rewarding aspect of volunteering was being able to help people.
“A hospital emergency department can be pretty stressful, so it’s good when I can make patients and families feel a bit more comfortable and a little more at ease,” she said.
“I would definitely recommend volunteering to others; it is very much appreciated by the nurses.”
From working in the kiosk, to providing support in hospital emergency departments, Eastern Health offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities throughout Melboune’s east and outer east.
