A new group of volunteers is providing invaluable support to patients and staff alike at Walsall Manor Hospital.

The Enhancing Ward Experience (EWE) team has been introduced by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to not only support the organisation but to provide an opportunity for those who are interested in an NHS career to find out more.

Twenty EWE volunteers started at the trust last week and they are involved in a host of tasks which include:

• Answering the ward phone and taking messages
• Supporting the Patient Experience Team to carry out video calls
• Answering the ward door and assisting visitors and healthcare colleagues
• Fetching items for staff such as medical records
• Befriending: sitting and talking to patients and/or playing games with them to help reduce their boredom whilst in hospital

Andrew Rice, Patient Experience Manager, said: “Our EWE volunteers have got off to a flying start and we are really pleased to have them on board.

“They are such a welcome addition to the teams on our busy wards and early feedback from our patients is also extremely positive.  We are immensely proud to have partnered with Juniper Training to deliver this volunteer programme. Juniper is an innovative, flexible and experienced provider ideally placed to support students, adults and employers in bridging the skills gaps between education and employment. It is hoped this will be a lasting of partnership of benefit to both organisations.

“We are continuing to recruit volunteers and would be pleased to hear from anyone who thinks they can make a difference in this way. And this Volunteers’ Week we’d like to say thank you to our EWE team as well as volunteers across our hospital and community services for the contribution they make to our organisation.”