At MHM Wales, one of the most rewarding aspects of our work in Cardiff is the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of individuals and organisations, learning from one another along the way. Our close working relationships encourage fresh ideas and new perspectives, enabling us to make a tangible difference in the lives of the patients we support. In this blog series, I want to shine a light on some of the fantastic partnerships that help make the lives of patients—who are often facing incredibly tough times—a little brighter.
Part One:
The Power of Volunteering
This post is going to focus on the remarkable volunteers and students who support our work in St. David’s and Lakeside Hospital.
For our Wellbeing Activity Work project, we have two main avenues for recruiting volunteers and students. The first route involves individuals reaching out directly to MHM Wales with an interest in volunteering. Our Volunteer Coordinator, Michelle, then handles the necessary administration, including scheduling interviews. If a candidate is successful, we proceed with essential DBS checks before I conduct an induction at the hospital. This induction introduces the new volunteer to the Activity Team and hospital staff, setting the stage for their volunteering journey. Some of the incredible individuals who have supported us through this pathway include Ian, a professional author who dedicated one day a week to Lakeside Hospital for over a year. Ian used his writing expertise to collaborate with patients on creative projects, enhancing their experience with engaging and therapeutic activities. Our newer volunteers, such as Ginny, who studies Politics and Philosophy, and Olayinka, with a background in Health and Social Care, bring enthusiasm and provide meaningful support through regular one-to-one and group interactions.
“I got involved in volunteering because I really wanted to contribute to help improve the patients’ mental wellbeing during their stay. It meant a lot to me as I created meaningful friendships with patients that I still think about to this day. “ – Afsana Hussain, Wellbeing Activity Volunteer
The second route for volunteer recruitment is through Career Confident, an initiative based at Cardiff University that connects students from underrepresented backgrounds with placement opportunities to gain hands-on experience. Following an initial meeting, interested students are invited to an interview arranged by our Volunteer Coordinator. If the interview is successful, the necessary DBS checks and administrative tasks are completed, similar to our direct recruitment process. This collaboration has been invaluable, with students such as Mohima, Afsana, and Rujula completing their Psychology placements with us and leaving a lasting impact on the patients they’ve befriended. Afsana, for instance, found her time at the hospital so fulfilling that she increased her volunteer hours last quarter, contributing up to ten hours a week. Each student brings unique perspectives and skills, particularly in psychology, which has significantly enriched our work.
“We’ve found working with Mental Health Matters Wales to be a two-way collaboration. We get a lot out of it; our students get a lot out of it. The opportunities shared with our students are so constructive and we’re proud to count Mental Health Matters Wales as one of Career Confident’s allies.” – Aaron Graham, Career Confident Manager.
Our volunteers are vital to the success and reach of the therapeutic activities we deliver. They allow us to extend our support and enhance the quality of care we provide. What truly sets our approach apart is its reciprocal nature; it’s essential that volunteers gain as much as they give. I’m always clear that one of my duties in managing this project is to assist all team members, volunteers or otherwise, in achieving their professional goals. For our Psychology students, I regularly organise opportunities for growth such as shadowing experiences with doctors and joining in on ward rounds which will help them develop in their future careers in healthcare.
While volunteers are here to assist with group activities and lend an extra pair of hands, the real value lies in the sincere friendships they form with the patients. These connections offer comfort and companionship that go beyond standard hospital care, creating an environment where patients feel seen, heard and valued.
One example of this that comes to mind was from October when Olayinka spent some time with a patient in Lakeside looking through her photo album. She was so comfortable sharing memories with Olay and discussing the rich experiences she’s had in her life that when the session had come to a close, she didn’t want him to leave! Olay was so deft and gentle in his approach; he asked the right questions in the right way to ensure the patient was comfortable enough to open up and share. For this patient, the impact was clear as day to see; witnessing sincere interactions like these makes me so proud of the service we deliver. My colleagues and I gain so much from the volunteers who join us - they inspire and motivate us to continuously give our all and create the most supportive and enriching environment for patients we possibly can.
If you would like to get involved and volunteer with MHM Wales, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Michelle at michelle.williams@mhmwales.org.
Author
Gabriel Mandal
Wellbeing Activity Manager
Next: Part Two: The Power of Pets as Therapy
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