Publish date: 5 March 2024
Our Voluntary Service team has grown with the recent appointment of its new Voluntary Service Administrator, Ben Cross. Ben who previously worked within EDMS (Electronic Document Management System) at the Trust, now has a key role in the onboarding of new volunteers, being their first point of contact and ensuring they feel welcome as they join our team. With a huge team of volunteers across the Trust including 320 who are based at Victoria Hospital, Ben’s role will bring his people skills to the fore.
He says “There’s a role here for everyone so we try to match people to what suits them best but also take into consideration what else they’re looking for, whether that’s friendship, feeling they are giving back something to the NHS or just the knowledge they are helping and supporting others. I love interacting with people and the volunteers have made my job easy by being so welcoming”.
As there’s no substitute for hands-on experience, Ben is trying out all the volunteer roles himself so that he understands what each role entails and how he can best support volunteers. With a wide range of roles including ward helpers, ED volunteers, trolley helpers or pet therapy helper, there is a lot to pick up and new processes to navigate.
Away from the hustle and bustle of volunteer work within a busy hospital, there are also get togethers for the volunteers, which Ben and Catherine Henshaw, the Voluntary Service Manager organise.
Catherine adds “We appreciate all our volunteers and organise regular socials every 6 – 8 weeks, whether that’s going bowling, having a quiz or enjoying a meal out together – we plan our outings based on what the volunteers suggest. Ben is a real people person and I know he’s going to be a huge asset to the Voluntary Service here. I’m delighted to welcome him to the team.”
If you want to know more about the Voluntary Service or know someone who would like to volunteer, please email bfwh.
