QEII Hospital is celebrating their volunteers for the vast and varied roles they play to support clinical teams across the hospital.

National Volunteer week runs from 15-21 May 2023 celebrating the theme “The Change Makers” and Director of Allied Health Leo Ross said this wraps up the invaluable contribution of the amazing volunteers at QEII.

“Volunteers really help improve the experience of our patients, visitors and staff,” he said.  “We truly appreciate and value the difference that they all make.”

The Eat Walk Engage volunteers have been especially active over the past month delivering exceptional care and diversional activities for both Easter and Mother’s Day for patients in Ward 5A.

Ward 5A Nurse Unit Manager, Trina Maturanec sings the praises of the Eat Walk Engage volunteers in their partnership with allied health to help patients remain active and engaged during their hospital stay.

“A special shout out to Rodi who initiated a lovely Mother’s Day activity using flowers and greenery from her home garden and also some collected by herself and a patient from the QEII gardens so the ladies could design and create a head wreath for others in the group,” Trina said.

“There was lots of smiles and laughter and it really made everyone’s day. It is always such a pleasure to see the difference Rodi makes to patients here in 5A and how brilliant the Eat Walk Engage program is to help improve the cognition for patients and help improve their transition back to home.”

Eat Walk Engage volunteers, Jane and Chris provided a special patient morning tea and craft session to make fresh floral head pieces for the ladies, and a lapel posy for the men.

The Eat Walk Engage programme has been implemented on medical and surgical wards at many hospitals across Queensland.