Alan Stevens
On International Volunteer Day this 5 December, West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust celebrates the enormous contribution volunteers of all ages make to life on the wards.
Since the pandemic, the Trust – which runs Watford General, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans City hospitals – has been inundated by younger people wanting to give their time to Watford General Hospital. Latest figures show that 74% of the Trust’s volunteers are under the age of 25. They are driven, in part, by the desire to gain experience in clinical environments to follow a career in healthcare. Other motivating factors include the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new friends and develop their confidence.
Volunteers provide invaluable support to patients just by spending time together chatting and playing board games. They help with tea rounds and meal rounds, distribute books from the mobile library and deliver post and newspapers. Staff benefit too from their helping hands as volunteers help with general admin tasks or collect medication from the pharmacy for patients waiting to leave hospital.
Maja Jeffree, who is a 17-year-old sixth form student from Watford, started volunteering at Watford General in January. She was looking for work experience and wanted to learn while giving back to her local community.
Maja said: “I think the biggest highlight of volunteering for me has been meeting new people and volunteering with my friends, because we have a good laugh and do a good thing at the same time.
“My advice to any volunteer would be to just put yourself out there and take it all as it comes. The memories, the people you meet and the skills that you gain by volunteering are invaluable – it's an amazing opportunity and I think that anyone who can do it, should do it.”
And while Watford General Hospital has an influx of young people applying to be volunteers, the popularity of volunteering still holds strong among the older generation.
Eighty-seven-year-old Alan Stevens is one of the Trust’s oldest volunteers. He started volunteering 10 years ago following the death of his wife at the hospital. “They really looked after my wife, so I decided that I’d apply to become a volunteer. I love it. I get to meet different people, it keeps me young and it keeps me fit. It's the greatest experience of my life and the best job I’ve ever done.”
Aga Dychton, the Trust’s Head of Volunteering, said: “Our volunteers hold a truly special place in our hospitals, providing outstanding support for both patients and staff. Their positive impact is incredible – from providing comfort and emotional support to patients, to helping colleagues in daily activities – their contributions play a crucial role in creating a nurturing environment.
“Volunteering not only benefits patients and staff but also allows the volunteer themselves to grow and thrive. It boosts their confidence, develops their skillset, and allows them to connect and make friends with people of all ages. Thank you to all of our volunteers for everything you do!”
Watch a video of Maja and Alan sharing their experiences of volunteering with each other.