What volunteers do?

The following list gives some idea of the volunteer services at Airedale General Hospital.

Shops. The hospital has two shops - one just inside the main entrance area of the hospital on level one, which is open seven days a week and one in outpatients on level two, which is open Monday to Friday. Both offer a wide range of goods to patients, staff and visitors. The shops are organised on a rota basis such as mornings, afternoons and evenings.

Library. The patients' library is open on Monday and Thursday afternoons and holds a wide range of books. Volunteers, working in pairs, take library trolleys around the wards for the benefit of the patients. The library is located on the upper landing above the main entrance.

Radio Airedale. A variety of programmes are broadcast from the hospital studio.

Chapel. Volunteers help to take patients to the Chapel services which are held on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings.

Chapel Name Collectors. Volunteers visit the wards either on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning to collect the names of patients who would like to attend any of the Chapel services.

Chaplaincy Assistants. Volunteers visit all the patients on a ward once a week to offer spiritual and pastoral care. Support and training is provided through the Chaplaincy Department.

Flowers in Chapel and Reception Areas. Fresh flower arrangements are also provided for the Hospital Chapel and Reception areas on a weekly basis. These are funded through the Friends of Airedale Hospital and Airedale New Venture.

Saturday Social. A social event for patients on alternate Saturday mornings in the Day Hospital, collecting patients from the wards, organising entertainment and providing refreshments. Special events are arranged at particular times of the year such as Easter and Christmas.

Transport Section. Drivers provide a valuable service by bringing patients and visitors into the hospital. At present we have one minibuse and four cars. 

Befriending Section. The Befriending Section provides informal companionship to patients. It is primarily concerned with providing a sympathetic ear and an opportunity for a friendly chat.

Guide and Information Section. Guides help to direct visitors in the hospital to the various wards, clinics and departments.

Fund-raising. Car Boot Sales are held in the West Car Park on the first Sunday morning of the month during the Summer (April to September). Outpatients Department Stalls. Volunteers have regular stalls in the Outpatient Department, selling bric-a-brac, and organise raffles and tombolas.

Trolley Shop Service. The Trolley Shop Service visits the wards each day carrying a range of sweets/drinks and sundry items.

Maternity Visitor Screening. Volunteers support staff on the maternity unit by supervising relatives and visitors during visiting times.

Assisting Patients at Mealtimes. Volunteers help patients who have some difficulty at mealtimes or who may need some encouragement to eat.

The Oncology Day Unit. Volunteers provide a welcoming service and refreshments to day-patients during their visits.

The Red Cross. Red Cross volunteers provide therapeutic hand-care for patients in many areas of the hospital both for inpatients and outpatients. Full training is provided by the Red Cross.