Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
The Gift of Volunteering at Waikato Hospital
The Gift of Volunteering at Waikato Hospital
For 27-year-old Patrick Wu, volunteering is all about giving back to the community and meeting new people.
These are the main reasons he decided to become a Waikato Hospital volunteer in March this year, but are not the only benefits he has gained in his time providing service.
Volunteering in the Pre-Admission Clinic at Waikato Hospital every week for three-hour shifts, while there, Patrick can be found in the clinic office helping out with office tasks.
Patrick said another reason he decided to take up volunteer work was to get some experience in a professional setting, as he is currently a third year student studying a Bachelor of Business Analysis majoring in Accounting, at the University of Waikato.
Despite a busy tertiary study schedule and a part-time job at Sky City to help him get by, Patrick said he wouldn’t want to give up his volunteering role.
“I would recommend volunteering to anyone. I really enjoy the support I receive from the other staff and volunteers at the hospital and learning new things,” he said.
“Volunteering has given me a chance to improve myself and meet new people.”
This week is National Volunteer Awareness Week (June 15-23) and Waikato District Health Board is taking the chance to formally acknowledge and show appreciation for the volunteers who work tirelessly in its hospitals and healthcare services.
Volunteers’ coordinator Chris Atkinson has invited the organisation’s 215 volunteers to a get together on Friday 20 June, to find out more about the hospital and celebrate each other’s achievements.
Mrs Atkinson said the get together was an opportunity to thank the volunteers for the contribution they have made to Waikato DHB this year through the gift of voluntary service.
“Our patients, visitors and staff have benefited immensely from the time, personal skills, energy and commitment these people have brought to our organisation in 2014.”
In addition to presentations by different areas of the hospital, the volunteers will get together for a team photo and seven volunteers will receive service badges for five years, four staff for 10 years, two staff for 15 years, and two staff will receive 20-year service badges for their volunteering roles.
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
Gordon Campbell: On unemployment, Winston Peters’ low boiling point and music criticism
Labour Party: National Gaslights Women Fighting For Equal Pay
The Treasury: New Treasury Paper On The Productivity Slowdown
NZ Government: Government Recommits To Equal Pay
Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter: Deputy Mayor ‘disgusted’ By Response To Georgina Beyer Sculpture
Te Pāti Māori: Māori Unemployment Rate Increases By More Than Four-Times National Rates
Government: Streamlining Building Consent Changes
