Extremely highly valued by patients and staff alike, Tauranga and Whakatāne hospital volunteers are making an important
contribution to their communities.
Some of the hospital volunteers who give up their time for others, and who are being thanked for their contributions
ahead of Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu National Volunteer Week.
Volunteers at the two hospitals are being thanked by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) for those
contributions ahead of Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu National Volunteer Week 2021, 20-26 June.
BOPDHB Volunteer Regional Manager Lesley Grant said the volunteers are vital because they lift patients’ spirits and
improve their hospital experience.
“Our volunteers are smiley, happy people and they make such a difference to the patients’ and visitors’ days,” she said.
“They add that extra dimension to the care of our patients. They are totally patient-focused from the front door to
going home.”
Lesley added her gratitude to the many people who donate items for the patients. She also thanked those knitters who
“provide a constant stream of delightful items for our babies and children”.
The hospital volunteers do the little extras that busy staff often simply do not have the time to do. These include
things like sitting down for a chat, making a cuppa, giving out magazines and books, refreshing flowers, or helping with
a phone call, amongst other roles. What at first might seem like small acts make a big difference to the patients and
their whānau.
There are a range of roles for volunteers to choose from, and all of them go through a similar application process to
the staff. These roles include: concierges meeting-and-greeting people and helping them with enquiries; maintaining and
operating the patient entertainment trolley (magazines, books, puzzles, playing cards, etc); and approved Canine Friends
pet therapists, whose dogs provide some stress release for all.