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This week, we’ve enjoyed taking you behind the scenes and sharing stories of the hospital volunteers, who generously dedicate their time and talents to us every week.  Their work has an enormous impact in our hospitals, and helps create a compassionate and supportive environment for patients, their whānau, visitors and hospital staff. 

Their work has an enormous impact in our hospitals, and helps create a compassionate and supportive environment for patients, their whānau, visitors and hospital staff. 

Reflecting on the team of over 400, Paula Richards, Volunteer Service Manager at Wellington Hospitals Foundation, says “Our dedicated and hardworking volunteers make a profound impact on patients, their families, and hospital staff. Whether they’re providing guidance, comfort, a friendly chat, or support to staff, entertaining, knitting, sewing, running the shop, enhancing medical training, or supporting our fundraising efforts, our amazing volunteers contribute to a strong sense of community and well-being in the hospital.”

In the final in this series we’re also pleased to introduce you to Bob, who has volunteered as a Hospital Guide at Wellington Regional Hospital for two years. Our Guiding Teams clock up many miles every week, helping patients and visitors navigate the confusing maze of buildings.  Last year the 23 volunteers who make up our Wellington team helped more than 24,430 patients and visitors find their way and get to appointments on time.

“People can be anxious and stressed when they arrive, but we’re here to help”, explained Bob. “It’s been great meeting my fellow volunteers and helping people get to their appointments. It gives me a great sense of satisfaction and perspective and reminds me of the importance of community and service.”

Originally from London Bob has fully Indian heritage, but has been living in Wellington for 21 years. He runs a small business arranging internships for university students to gain real-world work experience for credit.  In his spare time, he loves sports – cricket (both playing and watching), football and snooker. He also enjoys attending music festivals and camping.

Bob has always enjoyed volunteering but was too busy for many years due to his business commitments. When COVID hit and he was working from home for several years and realised he needed to get back out and create more opportunities to meet people.  For anyone thinking about becoming a hospital volunteer, Bob would say, “It’s worth it and is very rewarding!”

Interested in volunteering with us? 

He aha te mea nui o te Ao?  He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in the world?  It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.