At King’s, we have over 1,000 volunteers who help hospital life run smoothly. They show visitors the way to wards, help with mealtimes, provide emotional support to families in difficult moments, and lend patients an ear and a smiling face amidst long and difficult stays on wards, amongst so much else.
Today, on International Volunteers Day, we’re celebrating all our brilliant volunteers who help us provide the best care and support possible at King’s.
Today, we say thank you to amazing volunteers like Sandra. In 2022, Sandra’s husband died at King’s after a period of illness. She has volunteered on the Marjory Warren Ward for over a year now, the same ward where her husband died. She assists palliative care patients, providing them with comfort and levity, many of whom are receiving end-of-life care.
“I often knit things for patients on the wards, like pink love hearts or Christmas decorations, to bring them colour and comfort on the ward, and for them to know that they’re cared about. I also bring things like essential oils, to bring calm and pampering, or even just a cup of tea or coffee.”
“It’s very rewarding, I’m a caring person. Being at King’s, with nurses I know so well, is a big comfort to me. It helps me feel connected to my husband.”
On International Volunteers Day, we also say a big thank you to Lamia. Lamia has a disabled child, and caring responsibilities to him mean she cannot work either full or part-time. Volunteering at the hospital gives her the chance to spend time with others away from her home.
“I enjoy it a lot because I really like helping patients. You get to build up really great relationships with patients who are on wards for a long time, especially those who don’t have any family or friends coming to visit them. You bring a smile to their face when they see you, and they come to feel comforted by a familiar face.”
We also say thank you to Michael. Michael worked at King’s for 32 years in the linen room, before his retirement. But his dedication and loyalty to the King’s community remained strong, and he has now worked over 700 hours as a volunteer!
“Because I know the hospital like the back of my hand, it makes sense for me to show patients around when they come in. It’s very rewarding to help people and meet so many patients.
“Once, back when I was working in the linen room, I sang a patient a song on her way to surgery– I’m a part-time singer and I love singing Elvis. It really cheered her up before a difficult moment. It’s moments like that that make working in a place like King’s so amazing– you can make a big difference during a challenging time in someone’s life.”
To all our volunteers, thank you for dedicating your time, effort and hard work, we appreciate you so much!