Celebrating the tireless dedication of Swansea Bay's army of volunteers

The tireless work of Swansea Bay’s dedicated army of volunteers has been recognised at a special pre-Christmas celebration.

More than 100 of them attended, representing the 300 or so people who volunteer in the health board’s hospitals and other centres in the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot areas.

(Main photo: Volunteer Services Manager Katie Taylor opens the event)

During the event at the Village Hotel in Swansea they were treated to a meal, a rousing performance by the Rock Choir, a quiz and a free prize draw with an array of lavish prizes donated by local businesses.

Opening the celebration, which was paid for by a generous legacy donation, Swansea Bay’s Volunteer Services Manager Katie Taylor said: “We really appreciate everything that you do.

“Today’s event is all about you. It’s about celebrating the difference that volunteers make each and every day.”

Christine Morrell (right), Executive Director of Allied Health Professionals and Health Science, is also Swansea Bay’s executive lead for volunteering.

“It’s a real privilege to be here this afternoon,” she said. “Volunteers play such an important part within our health service, in terms of patient experience, in terms of the added extras and the support individually to patients and to staff. We really appreciate it.”

She outlined the many and varied roles that volunteers carry out across the health board and outlined some success stories.

These included book trolleys, a neurorehabilitation peer support programme, audiology drop-in clinics, patient experience volunteer roles and the volunteer desks in Swansea Bay hospitals.

“Patients want people to talk to, someone friendly who can help with their problems,” Mrs Morrell told them.

“You play an extremely important part enhancing patient experience,  visitor experience and staff experience. I hope you get a lot out of it yourselves. Your passion, dedication and commitment are inspiring.”

Among those present was Maureen McAteer, who works as a receptionist in the Children’s Emergency Unit in Morriston Hospital but in her spare time volunteers in Neath Port Talbot Hospital.

Maureen said: “I’ve been a volunteer for more than 40 years, within my local parish, St Joseph’s in Neath, visiting the lonely, bereaved and housebound, nursing homes and hospitals.

“I joined the NHS just under 20 years ago and later on I thought I would like to do some volunteering within Neath Port Talbot Hospital.

“I pick up the book trolley from the library. Then I go around the wards to see if someone would like something to read. But what I often find is that a lot of patients just like a little chat – or a big chat sometimes!

“It’s lovely and I get huge satisfaction from it. I feel it is a privilege to carry out the volunteer role.”

Martin Ellis from Swansea took up volunteering 15 years ago, not long after retiring from a 50-year local government career.

He provides a voluntary transport service, taking patients and relatives to and from Ty Olwen and also to appointments when required. “I enjoy what I’m doing and meeting people,” he said.

“I get the satisfaction of feeling I’m beneficial to someone. I’m 81 now and it keeps you occupied. You’re meeting people and it’s interesting. I’ve made a lot of friends.”

(Pictured left to right are: Maureen McAteer, Martin Ellis and Rose David)

Rose David also took up volunteering after retirement but, as this was only nine months ago, she is a relative newcomer.

“I’ve always been interested in hospitals and I’m sorry I didn’t go into it as a career,” she said. “I can’t be a medical practitioner but at least I can help and be involved. It uses up my time usefully.

“I’m a  volunteer on Ward D, which is a 40-bed ward for generally older people who are recovering from operations.

“We have a named list of people to visit. We have a chat with them, help them do a jigsaw if that’s what they want, or get them books or magazines from the library – whatever the patient wants.

“You meet people who have such interesting stories. They tell you about their lives and I like listening. I’m so glad I went into volunteering. I love it, I really do.”

Swansea Bay Chief Executive Abi Harris has also paid tribute to the volunteers for the support they provide to the health board, patients, visitors and staff.

“We simply cannot put a price on the value you add, and we are sincerely grateful for all of your help,” she said.

You can watch a video slideshow of highlights of the event below.

Follow this link if you are interested in volunteering or how volunteers can help you and your area.