Volunteers will help brighten up hospital patients’ days

Perth’s award-winning hospital radio station is looking for volunteers to visit and chat to patients.

For 28 years Hospital Radio Perth has been broadcasting to patients at Perth Royal Infirmary, but just as importantly they have been visiting patients too.

Chairman John Watson said the importance of the volunteers shouldn’t be underestimated.

“Our goal and our passion has always been to provide a patient-focussed radio service to those in Perth Royal Infirmary,” he said.

“These days, patients may have no relatives near at hand or may be a long way from home. If you’ve had no visitors, the chance for a blether with one of our members can be very welcome. While we are always looking for budding broadcasters, what we really need is a few more people willing to offer a couple of hours once a week to go round the hospital, chatting to patients and collecting any music requests.”

Visiting can be arranged either in the early evening or during the afternoon and any requests collected will be played in that evening’s request show.

Mr Watson, who has been involved in hospital broadcasting since 1982, said: “I still get a buzz when we hear from listeners how our visitors and our radio service has brightened their day or how a particular song has reminded them of some special time in their lives, it can be quite poignant at times.”

He can be contacted at chairman@hrperth.co.uk or a message left at 01738 440044. To find our more, listen to the service or apply to join at their website: www.hrperth.co.uk