YOUR VOLUNTEER MANAGER
Name and job title: Aoife Middlemass, volunteer manager. Where can we find you: Macclesfield Hospital. Tell us a bit about yourself: I’ve lived in Macclesfield for 22 years. I’m married with three daughters who go to local schools and we all play for our local hockey club, Macclesfield. I’ve been involved with various groups over the years and, as a result, I have a large circle of friends and count myself very lucky. I’ve looked after East Cheshire NHS Trust volunteers for the past four and a half years. Describe a day in your life: Every day is different. I place admin volunteers in departments that need an extra pair of hands; I meet volunteers and set them up for training and I bob up to the wards to see how the lunchtime volunteers are getting on. I have an activity project that runs three mornings a week in the conservatory and sometimes I help out there if we are short of volunteers. I also carry out the induction of all new volunteers including ward mealtime helpers, welcomers, visitors and administrators. We have a variety of volunteer roles available, including fundraisers for the Trust’s charity ECHO and engagement volunteers who speak to patients in order to gather feedback for the trust. Most rewarding part of your job?: It’s wonderful to see a volunteer – especially a young person who started off nervous and shy – chatting with a patient. The difference volunteering makes both to patients and volunteers is terrific. Most challenging part of your job?: Staying in contact with volunteers – we have approximately 300 in Macclesfield Hospital! Most memorable moment of your career?: When a patient rang me asking if I’d name a charity he could donate to as a thank you for the support he received from volunteers during his hospital stay (I named our trust charity, ECHO). Why is volunteering so important?: It gives an insight as to how a hospital functions. It can help people decide if a career in the NHS is something they would like and it can help to build up a CV. It is very fulfilling and gives you a great sense of achievement, knowing that you have helped someone today. What skills do you need to be a volunteer?: You don’t need any skills to volunteer, just a willingness to help. If you have skills that’s a bonus but will train you. We welcome people from 16-years-old. Most important lesson you’ve learnt during your career? Clarification is key, make sure what you are saying or writing to volunteers is unambiguous. If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be? Make the most of any opportunity that presents itself and do the best you can in whatever role you are in. Work as hard as you can to give yourself the best chances you can. How can the local community get involved in volunteering? I hold a volunteer information session on the first Monday of the month at 6pm at Macclesfield Hospital. If you cannot make the sessions I can arrange to meet you when you are free. Email ecn-tr. volunteering@nhs.net or call 01625 661974.