August 2003

Angela Stanley is one of three students hired to work the information desk at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre this summer. Here, she helps train Pat Michels who will be volunteering a few hours a week at the desk one the student positions end.

Volunteer program helps give back to hospital
Jennifer Dempsey - The Citizen
UPPER NAPPAN - Pat Michels is finally trying to get on with her life. Since losing her husband and best friend to cancer two-and-a-half years ago, there have been times when she has been withdrawn, depressed and reluctant to leave home.

But time truly does heal all wounds and the Amherst resident has realized that the time has come to move on. So when she heard that volunteers were needed for a new volunteer services program at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, she quickly jumped on the band wagon.

"It gets me out of the house and gives me the opportunity to give something back to them (hospital staff and nurses)," she said of the many nurses who were so kind to she and her husband during his long illness. "They were so terrific."

She is currently volunteering at the information desk a couple of days a week for a few hours. And while she admitted to being a bit nervous at first, she said it helps to know a lot of the faces circulating around the hospital.

"I feel right at home and I'm looking forward to the experience," added Michels whose children and grandchildren are all grown up now. She believes volunteering at the hospital will be very therapeutic and a welcomed change from her everyday routine which lately has basically consisted of knitting, making crafts and spending time with the family pet.

"It's just what I need right now," she said of the program which hopes to be able to convince some of her friends who are also widows to join. Angela Stanley is one of three students employed at the health care centre this summer. She worked, for the most part, at the information desk which she described as a great experience.

"I really liked it. I got the chance to meet a lot of nice people and everyone here has been so nice and friendly."

Stanley has also volunteered at the hospital gift shop and job shadowed in the lab in preparation of someday becoming a medical administrator. She said her work at the hospital, both as a volunteer and an employee, look great on a resume.

"I'm hoping it will help me get my foot in the door if I want to get a job here later in life," she admitted. "I've enjoyed my time here a lot. It's been a very good place to work."

Eventually, the volunteer services program will be extended to a variety of different areas including information desk, meal assistant program, friendly visiting, special event assistant, library services, palliative care and nursing unit support like patient/staff errands, marking menus and literature distribution.

But the information desk is being given first priority because the summer student position will soon be coming to an end. It is considered a very important area at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, a welcome centre of sorts.

"It helps reduce the apprehension of patients and visitors entering the facility by greeting them at a central information desk," explained Angela Best, coordinator of the volunteer services program which is a joint project of the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre and the Cumberland Health Authority.

She said the program is a perfect opportunity for anyone planning to make health care part of their future because it can provide volunteers with experience in a medical team environment first hand by helping out in the nursing units.

Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age and have three to four hours each week to devote to the program. All hospital volunteers are placed in positions consistent with their skills, interests and time frames.

"Volunteer work is a great way to pick up new skills, prove your motivation to work and develop solid references," added Best who is coordinator of volunteer services for the entire district which includes health care facilities in Upper Nappan (Amherst), Parrsboro, Springhill, Pugwash and Advocate.

The program is intended to compliment existing programs at the hospital. "It provides a meaningful opportunity for Cumberland County citizens to contribute to the health care and well being of people in the hospital."

Typically, teens volunteer for much different reasons than adults. Teens are usually interested in the health care field in terms of future employment and want to get a feel for it so it is very job oriented.

Many adult volunteers are either former patients themselves or are a family member of a patient so they can see the benefits of such a program. "Or some are new to the area and are eager to meet new people."

All volunteers must complete application forms and reference checks will be conducted which is the policy of many volunteer service programs these days.

Successful applications will be interviewed and provided with a half day of training. Whether it be a teen or an adult, all volunteers are required to wear both a special vest and a picture identification so that hey are easily recognized as volunteers and not health care workers.

The program is being piloted at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre but will be implemented at other sites following the completion of a needs assessment. "I'll be meeting with other sites to see their needs and implement the programs there. I'll be setting up meetings in order to fet them up and running."