National Volunteer Week 2020

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week 2020 and the theme of ‘Changing Communities. Changing Lives’ we thank and acknowledge our volunteer caregivers at St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital and find out from them why they love volunteering.

20 May 2020

Volunteer Coordinator Kerrie James has continued to support the volunteer team while they are not able to be physically on site and looks forward to welcoming them back when the restrictions are lifted.

“We hope our volunteers feel valued all year round, but National Volunteer Week is a wonderful opportunity to shine a light on the work they do and to thank each and every one of them,” Kerrie said

“Ask our volunteers what they love about St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital and what jumps out at you is their sense of community spirit, their fondness and admiration for our caregivers and their willingness to assist.”

“Our volunteers often tell me that they get as much out of volunteering as they give, that volunteering has a positive impact on them as much as it does on the people they are helping. As David says “doing for others becomes a real pleasure”.

“This is how volunteering changes communities and changes lives - through the gift of giving.”

This generosity of spirit aligns with the St John of God Health Care Mission and Service Ethos. St John of God encouraged people to “do good for yourselves by doing good for others” and that captures the essence of volunteering perfectly.

We look forward to celebrating with our volunteers when our full volunteer program resumes. In the meantime, caregivers are sending volunteers virtual waves and smiles as we #waveforvolunteers

Meet some of the St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital Volunteer team.

John

After a career in the resource industry, a desire to give something back to the community initially motivated John to become a volunteer in the Admissions Department. Eight years on it’s the people that made him stay including the caregivers, patients and fellow volunteers. “I’ve been a volunteer at St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital longer than any paid job, which probably says it all!” he said.

Olive

Volunteer Olive is so enthusiastic about her volunteer experience at St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital that over the years she has inspired three former colleagues from her career in banking to join the volunteer team. Olive likes the fact that there are many different volunteer roles to choose from at the hospital, and she especially enjoys helping in the Admissions Department. Olive said, “the other volunteers and caregivers I work with are wonderful and so friendly. I love coming to St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital to volunteer and help patients.”

Maureen and Maria

After 13 years as a volunteer in the Endoscopy Unit, Maureen says it is still such a pleasure to come to do her voluntary role. “I love working with such friendly caregivers and meeting and helping the patients, she said.” Her fellow volunteer Maria says she’s grateful for the opportunity to participate in a rewarding volunteer role saying: “It’s the people most of all. The nurses are wonderful with the patients.”

David and Sandra

Husband and wife team David and Sandra have been sharing their musical talents with patients and visitors for two years, and they describe St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital as “a friendly, welcoming and supportive environment with a great culture.”

Sandra says: “you are made to feel part of the team and not ‘just’ a volunteer, you feel your volunteering is valued and makes a difference.” David and Sandra say they have witnessed first-hand the outstanding care given to patients in the Restorative Unit and the Ursula Frayne Unit, a mental health inpatient service at St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital. “Everyone works together with the patients as the central focus.”

When the volunteer program was suspended due to the restrictions around COVID-19, such was their commitment to brightening the patients’ day that David and Sandra were determined to find a way to continue bringing the joy of music. A team effort from the volunteers, managers and the Hospital Management Committee created a solution that meant they could give open air music performances which the patients enjoyed from the safety of their rooms or communal areas while observing physical distancing.

To find out more about volunteer opportunities at St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital contact
Kerrie James
Volunteer Coordinator
Email: [email protected]