Good Hope Hospital is looking for volunteers to support the mental health liaison team in providing top class care for patients. 

The Rapid Assessment Interface Discharge Mental Health Liaison Service (RAID) support adult patients with mental health problems including dementia, and wish to recruit locals keen to spend time with patients.  This would involve taking part in activities ranging from arts and crafts, to music sessions and getting together to enjoy afternoon tea in the activity rooms with patients on wards 9, 11 and 12.

Vicky Baynes, mental health nurse for RAID, said: “We are looking to recruit and develop volunteers who are able to befriend and support patients with dementia on the wards. It’s a great opportunity for enthusiastic individuals and one which will prove to be very rewarding.

“Boredom and frustration are probably the most common causes of challenging behaviour in people with dementia, particularly if they are in an unfamiliar environment.  The activity rooms provide space for reminiscence therapy, which is helpful as patients can often remember the distant past more than recent events.  Using these activity rooms also enhances patients social interaction, can improve their eating and drinking habits, aid their mobility and could reduce the risk of falls too.

“All volunteers have regular dementia training and support from both the Hospital’s volunteer service adviser and RAID.”

Volunteers need to be aged 18 upwards and will need to commit a minimum of three hours per week for 12 months. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact Angela Butts, volunteer service adviser on 0121 424 7379 for further information.