Voluntary and paid vacancies

Volunteers' stories

Befriender Lauren

Lauren, 23, is a befriending volunteer with NHS Lothian and Master’s student at University of Edinburgh studying International Development. She is hoping to move into a career in the charity sector after finishing her studies and started volunteering with NHS Lothian in April 2021.

Why did you choose to volunteer as a befriender with NHS Lothian? 

I’ve always enjoyed volunteering and I thought this role would be a great way to help the NHS and contribute in some small way. I’m quite chatty so it wasn’t too far out my comfort zone and befriending was something I could fit in around studying. I was hoping to make a difference to someone else, but I also thought it would be a nice way for me to make connections in a new city and meet someone from outside the student ‘bubble’.

What did you think about the volunteer training?

The whole process was really good - the training made me feel really well prepared and helped me think about things I might not have otherwise. It made me think about the challenges of the role and how to support the person I was matched up with. Even though it seemed a bit scary at times, I wasn’t worried because I know that I can always ask someone if I need help or have a problem. 

What have you enjoyed about getting to know your befriending client?

The first time we spoke, I could tell we were going to get on. Our conversations have been really interesting, especially because we are different ages and from different backgrounds. Even though it’s been challenging at times to know the right thing to say when someone’s having a hard time, I feel I am really making a difference and doing good. 

Midlothian Community Hospital ward helper Chelsea

Chelsea is volunteering at Midlothian Community Hospital. As a ward helper, she does all sorts of things on her weekly visits to Loanesk Ward, helping with meals and drinks, tidying up plates and dishes, filling out meal cards, restocking supplies, spending time with patients playing games, chatting and even pampering with a little nail painting. Chelsea has noticed the positive impact volunteers have had on the mental health of patients.

Listens and comforts patients

“Many inpatients have been there since May, confined to one ward, and it takes a toll on their emotional and mental health. One of my roles as a volunteer has been to listen to and comfort patients on a weekly basis; a blether, a laugh, a cry, a good story, musical stimulation, pamper days (varnish/nail painting for the ladies). It creates a sense of community during their treatment, keeping them from climbing walls.”

Patients grateful

Chelsea has volunteered in other places before, including the stimulated patient programme, so some of our doctors and nurses may recognise her from workshops and exams. Describing the best thing about volunteering at Midlothian Community Hospital, Chelsea said: “As I thanked patients for giving me a bit of time with them, I'm always met with such gratitude; that they had a great time and were very glad for the company, and excited to see me on the next shift. I saw the good that even listening was doing for their morale, and it really is the best bit - when you see and feel you're making a difference. I've met some really interesting people and each time I go in I always have a laugh somewhere!”

Stuart's career change after volunteering

Stuart was 53 when he decided to take a career break.  After more than 30 years as a Chartered Accountant working in senior roles in large companies, Stuart planned a 12-month break to recharge.  All plans for travel and events were cancelled as the UK went into lockdown just weeks after Stuart began his career break.  With time on his hands and a desire to help Stuart applied to volunteer with NHS Lothian after seeing politicians asking for volunteers.  

Career break

Stuart volunteered with NHS Lothian for 10 months and during that time contributed approx. 300 hours of support for patients, visitors and staff at St John’s Hospital.  For 10 months, Stuart was a welcome guide two afternoons a week supporting patients and visitors to find their way in the hospital and encouraging good practice to reduce the spread of covid such as mask wearing and use of hand gel upon arrival at hospital.  Stuart also supported the staff wellbeing lounge for several months, ensuring the space was well stocked, tidy and was a warm and welcoming environment for tired staff to relax.   Alongside both of these roles, Stuart was also a volunteer shopper for 5 months.  In his role as volunteer shopper Stuart collated requests for essential items and small items that would make the hospital stay more pleasant from patients, purchased the items, sanitised the items, packed and labelled them and delivered them to the wards.   Stuart noted "every shift was different; there was always a question you hadn’t been asked before or a problem to solve to keep it interesting. I left with a spring in my step after each shift feeling I had made a little difference." 

New priorities

As the end of Stuart has planned 12 month break approached he began to think about returning to work.  "Volunteering definitely influenced me in that I wanted to work for an organisation that cares and is there to care for people." With this in mind, Stuart applied for and was successful in securing a role as a business financial controller with Test and Protect.

Would recommend volunteering

Stuart said he would recommend volunteering with NHS Lothian to anyone. "It will be first point of call when I am not working again.’" He said the best thing about the experience was "the sense of helping people. Those interactions where you might have made a difference."