Voluntary Services

Weston Area Health NHS Trust is very fortunate in having such a dedicated army of volunteers to complement and assist the staff throughout the trust which in turn aids the wellbeing of our patients. They are highly valued by staff, patients and visitors for the help that they give and work very much as part of the whole Trust team.

Who are our volunteers?

Many of our volunteers have retired, some are former patients wishing to ‘pay back’ for the care they have received, others may want to use volunteering as a ‘stepping stone’ to paid employment, but all have one thing in common, the valuable gift of time.

Current vacancies - March 2023

Volunteer profiles

David Jones and Lorraine Owen

David Jones and Lorraine Owen joined the Trust as volunteers last year and both work for the support office. The support office receives telephone requests to collect and deliver paperwork between many areas and departments throughout the Trust.

David said: “I was advised to volunteer to build my confidence in the workplace. It is great being part of a team and is one of the best things I have ever done – I just wish I had done it sooner.”

Lorraine wanted to give something back to the hospital and says “it’s a great reason to get you out of bed in the mornings”.

Photograph 1 (L-R): David Jones and Lorraine Owen, WAHT volunteers at Weston General Hospital. 

Thelma Cording

"I started voluntary work in the hospital in October 1994. I have worked in the print room from the day it opened in 1994. I also did filing in pathology for a number of years. After leaving work with nothing to do (I am easily bored) I took up voluntary work so it has worked both ways.

“I don't get bored and have been very happy in the hospital working with nice people, it has seen me through good and bad times."

Photograph 2: Thelma with volunteer colleagues in the print room – Thelma is second from left.

Mary Coombs

"I was a patient for two months at Weston General Hospital and during that time needed help with being fed. After convalescing for years I felt the need to volunteer at the hospital to help the way I was helped by staff and volunteers. I look forward to coming each week. I love to see people get better as a volunteer mealtime assistant helped me to get better by helping me eat."

What do they do?

Typical tasks include:

• The hospital Front Desk: greeting visitors and patients to the hospital.
• Hospital Wards: helping ward clerks, nursing staff and befriending patients
• Print Room: photo-copying, binding etc.
• Clerical: supporting the clerical staff around the Trust, in the hospital and at our Children’s Services offices
• Fund raising: helping to raise money to make a difference to the patients stay in hospital.
• Supporting our hospital gardens: ‘Green Teams’ helping to maintain the many courtyards within the hospital grounds

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  • Mealtime Assistants: assisting patients at mealtimes
  • Book Service: visiting the patients with the book trolley

Are you interested in Volunteering at Weston Area Health NHS Trust?

Please see our Volunteering page for more details. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SECTION IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR STUDENTS SEEKING WORK EXPERIENCE.  PLEASE SEE SEPARATE WORK EXPERIENCE SECTION