Hundreds of volunteers are needed to support staff and patients in the London North West Healthcare NHS Trust.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Around 350 volunteers are needed across four hospitals, carrying out a variety of roles. Picture: LNWHAround 350 volunteers are needed across four hospitals, carrying out a variety of roles. Picture: LNWH (Image: Archant)

The trust which looks after Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal, Northwick Park Hospital, St Mark’s Hospital in Harrow and Ealing Hospital, is looking to recruit around 350 people to fill key voluntary roles.

These include mealtime assistants, meet and greet staff, self check-in support, and patient companions.

Shirlee Hunte, voluntary services manager at the trust, said: “We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers for a variety of different roles. Our volunteers play an important role in helping to improve the experience of being in hospital for patients and visitors, enabling frontline, clinical and nursing staff to focus on providing patient care.”

Margaret Moore, 81, from Wembley has been volunteering since 1977, urged people to come forward.

Mrs Moore first lent a hand at Northwick Park Hospital, and has helped out with many roles over the years.

The former teacher now works on a Monday and Friday morning in the cardiology office.

She said: “My son was born at Northwick Park Hospital. It was a difficult birth and the staff looked after me so well. I wanted to pay the hospital back for the care they had given me so I started volunteering on Lister Ward doing anything and everything I could to help,” she said.

“As a volunteer I feel really appreciated for the work I do. I would recommend it to anyone,” Mrs Moore added.

If you feel inspired by Mrs Moore, or would like to follow her lead, the trust are looking for volunteers who can provide a welcome to patients and visitors, mealtime assistants who support patients during breakfast, lunch and dinner, and patient companions who can provide interaction and guidance.

Volunteers come from all walks of life, from a variety of different cultures, ethnicities and communities and are aged between 18 and 95.

To volunteer you must be eligible to work in the UK and to commit to at least four hours a week for f at least 9 months,

Ms Hunte added: “Volunteering at one of the largest integrated healthcare trusts in the country is a great way of gaining skills and experience for a future career in a hospital or healthcare setting.”

Visit www.lnwh.nhs.uk/volunteering or call 02088692425.