Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG) are looking for volunteers to support patients and visitors in our new Emergency Department (ED) at Grimsby hospital, due to open later this year.

If you’re caring, friendly, enjoy being active and want to make a difference to people’s lives, this could be the perfect volunteering opportunity for you.

Julie Dobbs, Voluntary Service Manager, said: “The opening of our new ED later this year brings exciting opportunities for local people looking to volunteer.

“Our new volunteers will provide a supportive role to both our patients and staff. They will spend time with patients, helping to reassure them and stay in touch with their loved ones, offering them food and drinks during their stay. They will also act as an extra pair of hands for our staff, taking samples to our laboratories and answering the phone.

“Coming into the ED can be worrying and stressful. The main role of the ED volunteers will be to improve the experience our patients have when in our care.”

Many improvements and changes have been made to the hospital in recent months and years and our volunteers are as important as ever as they support patients and visitors during these changes and beyond.

Our volunteers are welcome to join us just a few hours per week, to a day here and there, suiting everyone’s individual preferences. This could be during weekdays, evenings or on weekends.

Volunteer, Jenny Johnson (pictured right), said: “Volunteering is a great way to meet people and help them when they are anxious. It widens your experience and is a great opportunity.”

Other volunteering opportunities are available within Grimsby hospital, as well as Scunthorpe and Goole hospitals.  Anyone aged 17 and above can volunteer. All volunteers undergo a DBS check and must be cleared by occupational health. Full training will be provided, and they will be supported by the Voluntary Services team.

To find out more, please contact the Voluntary Services team by email on nlg-tr.twvolunteering@nhs.net or leave them a voicemail by calling 03033 305 577.

You can find out more about volunteering at www.nlg.nhs.uk/patients/get-involved/volunteer/.