Volunteer Stories

Andrea Barcellos-Ward

Being a volunteer at RPA gave me the opportunity to contribute to my community, meet wonderful people and learn new skills. After the end of the work-day, I feel enriched and inspired to be a better person.

Peter

Why do you volunteer at RPA?

I have three reasons for volunteering - The first is my appreciation for the excellent care given when I was a patient.  I wanted to give something back to the hospital.  The second was my wish to remain active and involved after my early retirement from work, and to not let my skills and knowledge go to waste just because I was no longer in the workforce.  The third was a desire to keep my brain active and my intellect intact by relating to others and interacting in a non-social environment.   The non-social aspect has not worked as the other volunteers, the volunteer manager and some of the hospital staff have come to mean a lot to me on a personal level.

What kinds of roles do you do?  

There are so many opportunities to contribute through a range of duties.  I enjoy my work assisting with the Adolescent Care Unit, my work with patient surveys and assisting the Volunteer Manager.

Why is it important? 

I have been in a fortunate position for most of my life.  It is very important to me to give back any help I can to others, no matter how great or small the impact.

Do you have a story you can tell us about how you have helped a patient? 

I found it very rewarding to sit and talk to a young patient from a country town who had been admitted for surgery and was feeling somewhat alone and isolated.  Being able to make him laugh and relax for even a short time was memorable.

Leah Pearson

Why do I volunteer at RPA?

I feel good about helping people when they need it the most.

What kinds of roles do I do?

I help with a variety of roles! For example, I help in the library, I serve at the staff BBQ as well as at other functions. I enjoy meeting and greeting people in the main hall and at other occasions, I occasionally help with doing a stall or fundraise. I sometimes visit patients and deliver the occasional book or bunch of flowers or some toiletries or clothes.

Why is it important?

It’s important because it helps the hospital community. It contributes to the patients' well being and in an indirect way helps staff. It makes me feel useful and happy.

I feel I have in general offered a friendly hand and a smiley face and occasionally I entertain patients, guests and staff with a bright orange bird puppet. They think it is very funny!!