A VOLUNTEER at Basildon Hospital has spoken out about how worthwhile it is to donate his time as part of Volunteers Week.

Peter Hatch is a volunteer in Basildon outpatients and was awarded the trust’s Volunteer of the Year Award at the trust’s staff awards evening earlier this year.

He believes that volunteering at the hospital is vital and makes a huge difference to visitors and patients.

The grandad of seven said: “I used to bring my friend to appointments at Basildon Hospital and I’d sit looking around at all the people in the waiting area and I just thought ‘I’ve always taken from hospitals over the years, but I’ve never given anything back’.

“I made some enquiries, had a little interview and started. You can tell by the look on people’s faces as they walk through the door, whether or not they need assistance or help. I give people directions, or if they have a question I try my best to find the answer.

“Sometimes I might take a patient to x-ray and if they don’t have anyone with them, I stay and then take them back to outpatients.

“I really enjoy it because there’s responsibility but no pressure and the only payment I ever ask for is a simple thank you. And I think most volunteers would agree.

“We are there because we want to be there but it is nice to be appreciated. It is incredibly rare for anyone to ever be rude, people are usually just grateful that you are there to help them.”

Basildon Hospital will be celebrating its volunteers and the difference they make for staff and patients at Basildon and Orsett Hospitals during the national awareness week, which runs from June 1 to 7.

Jennie Deeks, head of patient experience, said: “We really appreciate the hard work and effort of all of our volunteers. They make such a huge difference to the workloads of the staff but more importantly, to the experience of our patients.

“Nervously walking through the front door of a hospital to be greeted by a smiling face, or to have someone who has the time to sit and have a chat with an inpatient, it really does make all the difference.”

If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering email joanne.fear@btuh.nhs.uk or to become part of Basildon’s League of Friends email ritalof@hotmail.co.uk