This week, we welcome back our wonderful Northern Health volunteers.

The hospital halls and wards haven’t been the same without the smiling faces and cheerful personalities of our volunteers, with many of our staff commenting on how much they have been missed during the holiday break.

Senior Coordinator Engagement, Henni Wade, says, “everyone was asking me where the volunteers were and when they were coming back, because they’ve really missed their presence – not just their happy, smiling faces, but also their assistance with everything behind the scenes, like putting together hundreds of administration packs a week.”

“Some people were also getting lost around the corridors because the volunteers weren’t there to help them find their appointment rooms or friends or family members staying at the hospital,” she says.

Speaking to the volunteers, it was very clear they couldn’t wait to come back. When asked if they missed the hospital whilst on holidays, it was a big resounding “Yes!” from the group.

The volunteers said what keeps them coming back is the friendships, the smiles from the people they help, and making a difference in the community.

Henni says the whole hospital system works better with the help of the volunteers, as they have various tasks and schedules during the day, which contributes to seamless flow of patient care.

“Sometimes, it’s difficult to realise how much the volunteers contribute to the hospital and our community and how much they help until they’re not here,” she says.

One in particular, Brian Hoctor, a Northern Hospital volunteer driver, demonstrated true Christmas spirit at the end of last year.

When he heard one of the winners from our annual Northern Health Foundation Christmas raffle was having difficulty getting to the hospital to pick up her prize basket, Brian jumped at the chance to make the special delivery to her home.

In between picking up patients and dropping them off for appointments, Brian made the trip to see Phyllis (picture below) to personally deliver her prize.

Henni says, “This is just another day for our volunteers…doing wonderful things that make a real difference.”

“Our volunteers are an integral part of how the hospital operates and our mission to provide trusted care.”

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