Volunteers make big impact in East Riding & North Yorkshire NHS services

We’re currently working in partnership with Scarborough & Ryedale Carers Resource and Coast and Vale Community Action (CaVCA) to bring volunteers into and around the hospital environment and their communities, to help with a wide range of new and exciting roles.

This way of working is said to have a substantial positive impact on the pressures that come with the winter period in healthcare. This year, the teams involved have appreciated the number of volunteers coming forward more than ever, with the winter pressures being combined with those of COVID-19.

Elizabeth McPherson, Chief Executive Officer at Scarborough and Ryedale Carers Resource, said:

“Our most recent venture into partnership working is a true demonstration of how the voluntary sector and health professionals can achieve great things together. We have been privileged to work with volunteers for many years now, but never more so in the last 10 months, when we have seen the determination of so many to make a real difference in exceptionally challenging times. We look forward to updating everyone on this new development in the near future.”  

The Trust acknowledged that Scarborough & Ryedale Carers Resource and CaVCA have a proven track record of successful delivery of strategic and operational practices across the Borough of Scarborough and Ryedale District, and was keen to work with them in recruiting volunteers to the local services to help support the divisions at this time.

As well as working with East Riding services in Scarborough, Ryedale and Malton, this partnership extended its reach to the Whitby area, where the local community hospital has benefitted from the impact of additional volunteers.

Mel Bonney, Chief Executive Officer at Coast and Vale Community Action, said:

“I am delighted to be working in partnership with Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, to facilitate community volunteering with Whitby Hospital. During the pandemic, we have been stunned by the number of people who have selflessly given their time to support others in the Whitby area. We are confident in their willingness to come forward, to actively support their community hospital, its staff and patients over winter.”

As a result of the funding received to make this possible, the teams recruited two part time, permanent positions to elevate the service offerings. They also established a clear understanding of ‘need’ in each area, which helped them get the volunteers to the places that needed them the most.

The Trust has an ambitious target to recruit 20 additional volunteers from the communities in Scarborough, Ryedale and Whitby, who will engage in a number of specific but essential roles across 5 days; Monday to Friday.

Volunteers can expect to take on a role of activities from transporting patient equipment, to the distribution of vital PPE, family liaison and, where possible, supporting patients on the wards.

It is expected that the volunteers will become embedded into the clinical teams and benefit from the range of training, employee support and staff health and wellbeing programmes. In addition, the roles will provide essential experience and opportunities to pursue substantive posts if that is their ambition.

If you’re interested in joining the voluntary services in the areas of North Yorkshire outlined above, please contact Jo Swift jo.swift@cavca.org.uk or Jenny Rumney  jenny@carersresource.net.