Voluntary Services GWH, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Swindon (2026)

03/06/2026

Melv

Melv chose to volunteer at the hospital after retiring, wanting to give something back to the NHS for the care and support he had received over the years. Having spent much of his working life lorry driving and in construction, volunteering at a hospital was something completely new and at first, a step outside his comfort zone.

As a Patient Befriender in our Medical Assessment Unit (MAU), Melv has grown in confidence and found his place. “I love my department – it’s a very good place to be. The staff are excellent, and they’ve all been so welcoming. I can’t fault them.

I enjoy meeting patients and having a good chat. There are a lot of people who feel lonely, and sometimes just taking the time to talk makes a big difference. I’m a bit of a banter person—that’s what it’s about. No two shifts are the same. Some days are calm, while others are very busy, with patients needing support across the department.”

Whether it’s offering refreshments, helping where he can, or simply spending a few moments with someone who needs company, Melv values being able to make a positive impact.

His advice to anyone thinking about volunteering is simple: “Just go for it. There are so many different roles, something for everyone. The people are great, the staff are supportive, and there’s nothing not to like.”

03/06/2026

T-Level Volunteers

Jacque and Nashoma are just 2 of the 34 T-Level Healthcare students who joined our volunteering programme in 2025.

In partnership with New College Swindon, Cirencester College , and our Early Careers Team Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Voluntary Services GWH delivered a specially created 20-week T Level Year 1 Healthcare Volunteer Program. This program provided students with the opportunity to have up to 120 hours of hands-on experience at our hospital, rotating through 10 different wards and areas to gain valuable insight into the services we offer as an NHS care provider whilst developing key skills in communication and teamwork.

Volunteering with us isn’t just about learning, it’s about making a real difference in the community and we’re so proud of the contribution made by our T-Level students!

Jacque

“I chose to volunteer at GWH because I wanted to act as a role model to other teenagers my age. I also wanted to give back to the community and gain experience of what it feels like to work in a healthcare environment, while gaining some extra skills.

Volunteering at GWH was part of my college course, T-Level for Health; however, it was something I’ve always wanted to do but didn’t know how to approach.

What I mostly love about volunteering at GWH is that it feels like a second home, where everyone accepts you and puts a smile on your face the moment you enter the Volunteer Hub.”

Nashoma

“Hi, my name is Nashoma and I am one of the Volunteers at Great Western Hospital. I chose to do volunteering as the opportunity came up through our college to do it for my T-Level placement. Before that, I had always wanted to have a role at Great Western Hospital, so this was the perfect opportunity for me.

I love volunteering here as it has really given me an insight into working on different wards and seeing staff in action. There is also a great amount of satisfaction that comes with volunteering, as I meet so many amazing patients, and helping them is really rewarding.

The Voluntary Services team is fantastic! They are extremely supportive and encouraging. I’m looking forward to continuing my journey with them!”

03/06/2026

Meet Vicki & Karen

After retiring, sisters Vicki and Karen decided they wanted to give something back – and volunteering felt like the natural next step. Having spent a lot of time in hospital supporting their mum in her later years, both saw first-hand just how much small acts of kindness can mean.

“We really appreciate how important it was to have that extra help. Just a friendly face, a chat, or something as simple as a cup of tea can make such a difference to someone’s day.”

As Active Responder Volunteers, Vicki and Karen support teams across the hospital wherever they are needed. From helping patients to appointments, delivering items, or assisting on busy wards, no two shifts are the same – and that’s exactly what they enjoy.

“We love the variety. One day you might be on a ward, the next doing a pharmacy run or helping someone get to where they need to be. It gives you a real overview of the hospital, and you get to meet so many people.”

It’s the interaction – we love chatting to patients and getting to know the teams. You really feel part of something, and sometimes you can see how much the help is needed. Staff are so appreciative, and it’s lovely to feel you’re making a difference.

It’s not just giving someone a drink – it’s making it how they like it, taking a moment to talk, and helping them feel like a person, not just a patient.”

Their advice to anyone thinking about volunteering? “Just give it a go. It’s so rewarding, and you’ll find something that suits you.”

Working side by side, this fab pair bring energy and teamwork each shift: “We both like to be busy and just get on with things. We really love it and that’s what makes it so worthwhile.”

02/06/2026

Mandy
Volunteer Long Service Award Winner 2026 – 15 Years

“Why do I enjoy volunteering? I like knowing that I make patients’ hospital visits a little easier. It can be quite stressful coming to the hospital for a procedure or appointment, not knowing what to expect or where to go. So if I can show them or take them where they need to be, I know it helps.

I had that experience myself when I came in for an operation on my ankle. A lovely lady helped me find my way, and I thought what a nice thing to do. So, after I retired, I became a Volunteer and have enjoyed it for 15 years.”

02/06/2026

Meet David & Popcorn

At The Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , our Pets as Therapy (PAT) Volunteers and their therapy animals provide comfort and companionship to our patients, our visitors, and our staff.

PAT visits from are proven to boost mood, reduce stress, and support recovery, with even brief interactions helping to calm anxiety and improve wellbeing. Our PAT Dogs also aid emotional engagement, reduce loneliness, and support people with a range of needs, creating meaningful moments of joy and reassurance.

This is David’s story about why he was inspired to become a PAT Volunteer:

“I became a Volunteer after my wife spent six weeks at GWH as a patient. During her stay, I was permitted to bring our dog, Popcorn, in to visit her on the ward. I noticed, when I brought her in, how other patients reacted to Popcorn’s calm, gentle presence.

After my wife later passed away, I knew I wanted to give something back, so I made it official and began volunteering with Popcorn as an official Pets as Therapy Volunteer. We have now been visiting the hospital for around six months.

A good day is hard to put into words. It’s a quiet but powerful feeling that comes from knowing we’ve made a difference, even if only for a few minutes. Whether it’s calming stressed staff, lifting spirits on a ward, or helping a patient reconnect with the world around them, Popcorn has a remarkable way of opening those doors.

One moment that stands out was in the Emergency Department, where a patient who had been unresponsive for hours suddenly awakened after Popcorn gently touched his hand. Within minutes, he was talking about his dogs, allowing staff to begin treating him properly. Moments like these remind me why I volunteer.

I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t enjoy it — and Popcorn clearly enjoys it too. She brings comfort, connection, and a moment of respite to patients and staff alike, often without realising just how much she’s helping. Volunteering, for me, is about those small moments that make a real difference.”

02/06/2026

Teresa
Volunteer Long Service Award Winner 2026 – 5 Years

“Volunteering has given me so much more than I ever expected. For me, it’s about gaining new skills, meeting new people, and having a chance to give something back to my community. Knowing that I’m making a positive impact, even in a small way, means everything.

At the end of my shift, if I’ve helped just one person, I’m happy. That satisfaction stays with me. I have a genuine desire to help others — that’s what led me to join GWH in the first place, and I can honestly say I have no regrets. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Volunteering gives me a real sense of purpose. I’ve made new friends, met so many wonderful people, and gained far more than I ever imagined. I love what I do, and I love the people I meet along the way.

After many years of volunteering, I can truly say I still really love it. To anyone thinking about giving it a go — just try it, like I did. You might be surprised by how much it gives you in return.”

01/06/2026

Meet Volunteers Jackie & Clive

Jackie
“I have been volunteering at GWH for about 18 months, and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I got the idea after a relative had surgery at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where there was a notice board highlighting their Volunteer Team. When I got back to Swindon, I checked out the GWH website and applied.

There is always something to help out with, and the more we Volunteers can cover tasks like the tea trolley or restocking supplies, the more time the medical staff can spend on direct patient care.

As a Volunteer, I feel supported in each and every shift by my shift buddy, the ward staff, and also the Volunteer Services Team.

Volunteering has been a great experience for me. An introvert by nature, it has helped my people skills to grow, and I am now much more comfortable striking up conversations with patients and staff. This also brings benefits elsewhere in life, including my day job.”

Clive

“My reason for volunteering was because during the Covid pandemic; I really wanted to contribute to helping out in some way. I applied and started towards the end of the restrictions. I really enjoyed it, as it’s totally different from what I do for a living. I work in construction, and I’m often on my own or with just one other person, so working with the general public was very new to me.

Going into the waiting area to see a sea of faces was quite an experience. I like to have a bit of a laugh with some of the patients, especially if they have been waiting a long time.

I have found the past four and a half years very rewarding, especially when a staff member says, ‘thank you for your help this evening.’ Finally, it’s lovely to be recognised every week, and I’ve made lots of friends and acquaintances.”

01/06/2026

Celebrating 1 Year of the Volunteer Butterfly Service at GWH

We are proud to mark the first anniversary of our Volunteer Butterfly Service initiative at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

12 Butterfly Volunteers provide gentle companionship and emotional support for patients nearing the end of their life. Delivered in partnership with our End of Life and Palliative Care Teams, Voluntary Services together with the Anne Robson Trust offer this compassionate service in the hope that no one has to face their final days alone in our hospital.

Over the past 12 months, the impact of this service has been astonishing:

• 1,550 visits to end-of-life patients with 785 hours spent at the bedside
• 695 end-of-life patients supported
• 770 family members and visitors supported

Our Butterfly Volunteers offer:

• Quiet companionship for those who may otherwise be alone
• A calming presence, sitting alongside patients or simply holding their hand
• Reading to patients or playing gentle music
• Emotional support and a listening ear for families
• Guidance and signposting to bereavement support

Just some of the feedback we’ve have received about our Butterfly Volunteers from patients and their families:

"You’ve really helped me feel less alone."
"Thank you for being there when I couldn’t do it alone."
"It’s such a beautiful service you offer."

One family shared:
"Knowing that someone was with him brought us so much comfort… even when the ward was busy, we felt reassured that he was being treated with kindness and dignity. The Butterfly Volunteers made a difference to him, and to us, and we can’t thank them enough."

To every Butterfly Volunteer at our Trust and to those throughout the UK, thank you. Your kindness, compassion, and dedication truly embody the very best of care and you are making a difference every single day.

01/06/2026

🌟Volunteers' Week 2026 is here! 🌟

Today marks the start of National Volunteers’ Week in the UK, and the Voluntary Services Team at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ready to celebrate!

Our incredible Team of Volunteers offer their support patients, visitors, and staff every day, helping in so many ways and bringing kindness, compassion, and joy to those who need it most: they truly make a difference.

To kick things off, watch this video and hear from our Voluntary Services Manager, Vickie, as she shares more about the amazing impact our Volunteers have across the Trust.

26/05/2026

Happy 3rd GWH Anniversary to Dinky Ponies!

Sarah and her fabulous team of ponies (plus her amazing helpers) have come to visit patients, visitors and staff at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for three years!

Since May 2023 those dependable D***s have visited us a total of 28 times!

All of these visits have been an ineffable addition to the support that is offered by Volunteers at the Trust and it is wonderful to see how much joy, humor and comfort they bring to so many people.

Thank you so much Sarah! ❤❤❤

We also want to send our love and appreciation to Poppy (21 visits), Tinks (7 visits), Gracie (5 visits), Charm and Evie (with 2 visits each) and Georgie. Big Loves, Abbey... we will meet you one day!

Thanks too to those who have provided help on these visits. Anita, Molly, Chloe, Kitty, Tabby, Darcy, Henry, Santa, Katy T, Craig and Charlotte - thank you.

Voluntary Services GWH

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