Recruitment drive under way for volunteers at Sheppey

A recruitment fair to launch a team of volunteers at Sheppey Frailty Unit was a great success, with eleven people completing the first stage of sign-up on the day (Monday 22 May 2023).

Many more took away promotional literature and leaflets advertising the call for potential volunteers to come forward and support the new ward run by Medway NHS Foundation Trust at Sheppey Community Hospital, Minster.

Helping the cause was hospital therapy dog Fred, who is himself a volunteer due to his role in visiting patients on wards to bring a smile to their faces.

Volunteers are needed at Sheppey Frailty Unit to bring companionship and support to patients, through conversation or light activities such as board games, to help make their stay a positive experience.

Zoe Goodman, Voluntary Services Manager, said: “We had lots of people expressing an interest and I was delighted at how many signed up on the day and completed the first stage in the recruitment process.

“Being a volunteer not only helps patients and our staff, it offers volunteers the opportunity to give something to their local community or learn new skills for a career in health or social care.

“We want to form a whole new team of volunteers at Sheppey, and we have made a great start, but we still need more. If you missed us on the day and would like to join us, please get in touch.”

Since opening in January 2023, Sheppey Frailty Unit has cared for more than 220 patients from Sheppey or Sittingbourne who would previously have been admitted to Medway Maritime Hospital.

Ward Matron Haley Wawrzewska said: “I’m really looking forward to having a team of volunteers working with us. We know that being in hospital can be a lonely and worrying experience for frail patients and we can see that having volunteers who can help them feel more at ease and comfortable would be a huge benefit to us all.

“I would really encourage anyone with time to spare and a desire to help others to think about joining us on this friendly unit.”

To express an interest in becoming a volunteer at Sheppey Frailty Unit, please contact Zoe Goodman on 01634 825246.

Volunteers will be subject to the usual recruitment processes in place at the Trust.

The Trust is working closely with Healthwatch Kent  to introduce this volunteer scheme at Sheppey Frailty Unit. Representatives of the group put the idea forward when the Trust carried out engagement with community stakeholders ahead of Sheppey Frailty Unit opening earlier this year.