Lyell McEwin Hospital - Ward Services Volunteer.

A friendly conversation. A helping hand. A reassuring smile. When someone is in hospital, these simple acts of kindness can make a world of difference. Whether you're spending time with a patient who would appreciate company, helping visitors find their way or supporting staff with practical tasks, every shift makes a meaningful difference.

Volunteering as a General Ward Volunteer offers you the opportunity to:

• Make a genuine difference to patients during their hospital stay.
• Help reduce loneliness, anxiety and isolation through kindness and conversation.
• Support families and visitors during what can be a stressful time.
• Become part of a supportive healthcare team.
• Build confidence, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Gain valuable experience in a hospital environment.
• Give back to your local community in a rewarding and meaningful way.
• Meet new people while making lasting connections.

Your role is centred around improving the wellbeing and comfort of patients through companionship and practical assistance. This may include:

• Providing friendly conversation and social interaction.
• Spending time with patients who have few or no visitors.
• Reading books or newspapers to patients with vision impairment.
• Assisting patients with recreational activities such as puzzles, colouring, cards or other diversional activities.
• Assisting patients to complete meal menus.
• Helping open meal packaging and drink containers (volunteers do not assist with feeding patients).
• Supporting falls prevention initiatives by providing observation and companionship, as directed by staff.
• Walking with ambulatory patients when clinically appropriate and approved by staff.
• Recording interactions with long-stay patients to assist continuity of volunteer support.

Volunteers also help make hospital visits easier by:

• Welcoming visitors and helping them locate patients.
• Providing directions to hospital services and facilities, including cafés, gift shop, parking, ATMs and public amenities.
• Answering general enquiries and assisting visitors to navigate the hospital.
• Helping maintain comfortable patient and family lounge areas.

Volunteers provide valuable non-clinical assistance that allows staff to spend more time delivering patient care. Duties may include:

• Preparing patient admission packs.
• Assisting with patient experience surveys and quality improvement activities.
• Photocopying, filing, shredding and other administrative support.
• Restocking ward supplies including PPE, clinical consumables and stationery.
• Preparing various ward resource packs.
• Tidying storerooms, patient areas and staff spaces.
• Replenishing tea, coffee and kitchenette supplies.
• Assisting with other non-clinical tasks as requested by ward staff.

We're looking for people who are:

• Friendly, compassionate and patient.
• Excellent listeners with strong communication skills.
• Comfortable talking with people from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences.
• Respectful, empathetic and non-judgemental.
• Reliable, proactive and able to use initiative.
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Able to maintain confidentiality and respect patient privacy.
• Comfortable working in a busy hospital environment.
• Flexible and willing to assist with a variety of non-clinical tasks.

Experience working with older people or an understanding of dementia is welcomed but not essential.

Shifts are available: Monday to Friday Volunteer shifts generally operate between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, with most shifts lasting 3 to 5 hours. Regular weekly or multiple-day commitments are welcomed.

All volunteers receive comprehensive orientation and ongoing support to help them feel confident in their role. You'll work alongside experienced hospital staff and receive guidance on:

• Hospital orientation
• Infection prevention and hand hygiene
• Workplace Health and Safety
• Patient privacy and confidentiality
• Professional boundaries
• Ward-specific procedures

You will always work within a clearly defined non-clinical volunteer role and under the guidance of hospital staff.

For many patients, it's not just the medical care they'll remember—it's the person who stopped to chat, listened to their story or simply made them smile. As a General Ward Volunteer, you'll help create a hospital experience that is not only safe and efficient, but also caring, compassionate and connected.

If you're looking for a rewarding way to give back to your community while making a real difference in people's lives, we'd love to welcome you to our volunteer team at Lyell McEwin Hospital.