Volunteering in focus: Jane shares her experience
One of our volunteers – Jane – talks about her volunteering experience with East Coast Community Health Care (ECCH)
Jane started volunteering for East Coast Community Healthcare in November 2023 and gives two hours a week of her time at Beccles Community Hospital where her role is to provide conversation and companionship to in-patients on the rehabilitation ward there.
With nurses being incredibly busy on the ward, Jane told us that the benefit of volunteers is that they can provide a “friendly face that can stay with (someone) for a while.”
She told us, “There’s not much I can physically do for people, because that’s a nurse’s domain. But I listen to (patients’) stories and see if I can do anything for them.”
Jane explained that in her role she might not always see the same patients week on week, so it’s important to be able to build a rapport and engage with people quickly. “You have to jump in with both feet from the beginning because you may not see that person again.”
She talked to us about the parts of the role that can be challenging. Her advice for new volunteers: “Sometimes you might see people who are very poorly. You’ve got to be cheerful and have a positive attitude.”
We asked Jane what she enjoys most about her volunteering role, “I’m a curious person and I love hearing the stories… these wonderful stories about foods (someone) liked as a child, going to school and the war. Things they probably haven’t talked about for years and years. I find it’s as nice for me as I hope it is for them. I think you’ll get out as much as you put in.”
Voluntary Norfolk is currently seeking volunteers for ECCH and other services we provide. Have a look at the ways you can help in your community here:
