Evinda Cagin - summer programme volunteer, Barnet Hospital Seventeen-year-old Evinda was one of six young people selected to be a part of the charity’s summer volunteering programme at Barnet Hospital. Evinda volunteered from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday in a variety of our currently available volunteer roles. She volunteered more than 50 hours of her time on the hospital wards, providing teas and coffees, companionship and activities for patients and also as a meet and greet volunteer at the front of the hospital. This is what Evinda had to say about her experience in the hospital this summer: I spent two weeks in my summer holiday volunteering at Barnet Hospital as part of the Young Volunteers Programme. The whole experience has been very eye-opening. As soon as we entered the wards with our purple uniforms, members of staff quickly recognised us and expressed gratitude. It was my first day volunteering and hearing this made me realise that the volunteers form the Royal Free Charity have done such a great job with the support that they have provided not just for the patients but for the members of staff too. Coming to the hospital I did not know what to expect. Whilst volunteering I used skills which I didn’t initially think I would use, one being my second language – Turkish. I helped with translation and support for a lady who didn’t speak English very well. Seeing the smile on her face after realising that I spoke the same language as her made me feel glad that I was able to help out. At the hospital I spoke to many patients, offered them tea and coffee and helped people find their way around the hospital. Being able to speak to patients and provide them with comfort during a time where visitors were not allowed due to COVID has been very rewarding. Knowing that we – the volunteers – have made (even the smallest) change in their lives just by talking to them and getting to know them brings me joy.
Instead of feeling tired after a long day of volunteering I felt proud, content and lucky to be a part of such a positive and uplifting team. I hope to continue volunteering and continue to do the good work myself and the rest of the team have been doing.
0 Comments
|