Young volunteers provide an open ear to improve older people's health and wellbeing

Name Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Provider HelpForce

Across the country, NHS staff are under pressure. In addition, many patients - particularly those in later life - lack a support network or family to provide companionship. Well-trained young volunteers can play an important role in supporting patients and staff, and help relieve the strain on the health service.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is working with HelpForce, a new organisation working with volunteers to improve the health and wellbeing of people across the country, to help integrate young volunteers into the hospital environment, and develop and test new interventions.

What I've seen in the past few months is an immediate difference to the everyday wellbeing of people across the hospital - staff, patients, and the volunteers themselves. My colleague, Lynn McCormack, volunteer and charity development manager at Northumbria Healthcare, agrees. "For many years, our volunteers at Northumbria have been at the heart of what we do, tirelessly and generously giving their time to benefit our patients and staff," she explains. "Young people have an incredible amount to offer society and we're working with HelpForce as we're passionate about opening up opportunities to help volunteers develop and gain an insight into life in the NHS."