Voluntary services team shortlisted for prestigious award
The compassionate care Namaste voluntary services team have been shortlisted for a prestigious award.
The team have reached the finals of the Helpforce Champions Awards 2022, in the Outstanding Team of the Year category.
The awards focus on providing national recognition of fantastic contributions to volunteering in the health and care sector. The team were recognised particularly for demonstrating compassion and giving their time to offer a listening ear to our patients.
There are currently 25 members of the team covering wards and departments, with four new volunteers joining soon. Their role includes sitting alongside patients to encourage conversation or to be with them to provide company, reading them a newspaper or a story, and playing music from a device. They can also help care for patients who have a learning disability, or are living with dementia, and offer one-to-one support sessions. Since the compassionate care volunteers’ project began in December 2021, volunteers have committed to 799.5 volunteering hours, and compassionately supported 1,974 patients.
Jayne Moscow, compassionate care/Namaste voluntary services coordinator, said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for a national award – our volunteers provide invaluable support to our hospital and it means so much to all of us to be recognised.
“Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers for your contributions.”
Phillipa Haslehurst, voluntary service manager, added: “We know how vital all of our volunteers are to support our patients, their families and our people. This is an incredibly exciting time to be shortlisted for the Helpforce awards as it recognises the success of a unique service that is planned to be shared across the NHS."
Sharon McNally, director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals and deputy chief executive, added: “I am delighted to see our wonderful volunteers shortlisted for an award. Their commitment to support our patients and our people is amazing and so appreciated by us all. Well done and good luck for the finals.”
Pictured: Some of the compassionate care Namaste voluntary services team.
Please contact jayne.moscow@nhs.net if you are interested in being part of the compassionate care (Namaste) team.