Chris Atkinson – Volunteer Coordinator

Since stepping into this newly created role in May 2003 we  have recruited 200 volunteers across 23 areas of the hospital. Basically I made this job what I wanted it to be; it was my baby.

I work from 10am till 2pm, Monday to Friday, and I’m studying a post graduate diploma of not for profit management.

Being in charge of interviewing and placement of volunteers I take full responsibility if I make the wrong decision when recruiting  new volunteers; although in my eight years I’ve only had to ask three or four to leave.  Sometimes I do make a mistake and someone doesn’t fit in. I take full responsibility and do what I can to fix the problem.

I see all potential volunteers’ motivations as equally valid; we just want reliable, safe, trustworthy people in the hospital.

My job is a positive one, people are making a difference. Complaints in the emergency department have dropped by about 50% since volunteers were put in place.

Compliment forms are continuously coming in with positive comments about our volunteers; the biggest thing is making hospital staff aware how important these people are.

What they don’t realise is that a lot of the volunteers are retired health professionals with some helpful skills, not just people with no jobs.

These lifts have become my second home, I’m up and down in them all day, chasing up volunteers and making sure they are happy.

We do have some incidents where upset, confused and frustrated visitors take it out on our volunteers; it is my job to make sure we sit down and talk about what has happened as these incidents can be upsetting. While 95% of visitors appreciate the help of volunteers there’s unfortunately always one or two that don’t appreciate what they are doing.

My relationship with volunteers isn’t anything special but I do take the time to sit down and take interest in their personal lives, listen to their stories. Taking interest in them means they tend to stay longer as they are enjoying what they are doing.

Most of our volunteers are over the age of 65; it’s not only something to do, but somewhere for them to meet people they can relate to. We have groups of volunteers who meet outside in coffee groups; lifetime friendships are created.

The ladies at the help desk are quite close and often do things together outside of volunteer work. These ladies are characters; you’ve got to watch them.

We also have a number of students who give up their time when not studying; like all volunteers they just love to help out.