Volunteer Programmes
The Friends of Devon County Hospital offer support to the patients and their visitors as well as the hospital staff. Our volunteers are enrolled in a number of programmes that make hospital stay for the patients and their loved ones more enjoyable but they also assist nurses and doctors at administrative tasks and help promote services such as sports therapy work.
Our volunteer programmes can generally be divided into activities inside and outside hospital. Inside the hospital, our team:
- offers information to the patients about the hospital and hospital care
- escorts patients and visitors to their destination in the hospital
- runs a retail shop which provides the patients, the staff and visitors with a variety of products from daily newspapers to magazines, soft toys, toiletries and other products that can make hospital stay more comfortable and enjoyable
- provides trolley service in order to enable disabled patients to buy products such as newspapers, magazines, drinks, etc.
- provides general information about the hospital via the telephone and online as well as inside the hospital
- organises workshops for children at the hospital
- enters computer data and provides clerical assistance
- plays music in the lobby
Outside the hospital, our volunteers:
- visit home-bound patients and offer them companionship and support
- assist caregivers
- provide transportation to the patients
- organise fund raising events
- offer support to disadvantaged children and their parents in the form of material goods and advice on where to turn for further help
Who Can Become a Volunteer of the Friends of Devon County Hospital?
We are happy to welcome anyone who would like to become a Friend but applicants must be at least 18 years old. No prior knowledge or experience in health care is required but it is highly desirable, especially for those who would like to participate in volunteer programmes inside the hospital. But we also need help in organisation of fund raising events as well as non-patient related jobs such as computer data entry and running errands.
Every new volunteer will receive training. Before starting to work with our team of volunteers, new Friends will receive training on:
- health and personal safety
- fire safety
- infection prevention
Every member of the Friends of Devon County Hospital is entitled to a free car park permit and refund for travel and other volunteering-related expenses.