Nicholas gives up his weekend to support patients

Submitted by Lindsay Rutherford-Hoe, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

Nicholas Day began volunteering with the Trust in April 2020 in response to the pandemic. Since commencing in his role, Nick has soon become an integral part of the volunteer team, providing support to patients and staff on a weekend on ward 36 (short stay).

Nicholas began volunteering during the week and once during the weekend, however he felt his support as a volunteer was more beneficial over the weekend when there were less staff on the wards and quieter periods for patients to endure. Nick changed his volunteering hours to a Saturday and Sunday as he felt this is when his presence would be of most help. This is just one example of the care and compassion Nick has demonstrated since starting as a volunteer, always thinking about how he can make things a little easier for patients and staff.

As a volunteer on the ward, Nick will help the ward hostess serve meals to the patients, encourage patients to eat and drink and also help clean and tidy dirty dishes away. Nick will spend his time chatting with patients, sharing stories and listening to them.