Lorna, Dementia Volunteer

Give your career prospects a boost by volunteering to help people with dementia

YOUNG people looking to secure a job in the healthcare industry could give their career prospects a boost by becoming a dementia volunteer at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

 

The trust runs schemes at all three of its hospitals, with a wide range of people giving up their time to interact with patients.

 

It’s a service that is greatly appreciated by patients and staff alike, but volunteers are also finding that the unpaid work they do with the trust can put them in pole position when it comes applying for jobs.

 

That was certainly the case for Lorna Creasey, who recently secured a paid role in the mental health industry after spending nine months volunteering on the Freshfield Ward at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester.

 

The 22-year-old, who read Psychology at Winchester University, volunteered throughout the final year of her studies. Just weeks after finishing her degree course, Lorna was offered a job working as a Living Well Support Worker at Coastal West Sussex Mind, while she has also embarked on a year-long internship with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

 

Lorna said;

I think volunteering made a massive difference to my career prospects because it can be difficult to get relevant, clinical experience. To be able to explain in detail how I had previously worked with dementia patients meant the employers knew I had enough experience to thrive in the role.

 

I would certainly encourage other people to volunteer at the trust. It was enjoyable, social, and everyone was so lovely and welcoming. It was a challenge but with so much support and training, it was one of the best things that I have ever done.

 

Julie Foot, Dementia Volunteer Coordinator at Hampshire Hospitals, added;

We are looking for volunteers all of the time and volunteering is a good thing to have on any CV.

 

Patients are always commenting on how much the volunteers make a difference to them. They are not always rushing around, so they can spend quality time with the patients, chatting, playing games and listening to music with them.

 

If anyone has made a New Year’s resolution to do some voluntary work, becoming a dementia volunteer is an enjoyable and rewarding way to make it happen.

 

Dementia volunteering opportunities are available at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital and Andover War Memorial Hospital.

For more information, email dementiavolunteers@hhft.nhs.uk

 

 

 

 


 

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