Gold stars for two of our hardworking hospital volunteers who are heading off to medical school after a clutch of great exam results.
Joseph Sheridan spent 9 months volunteering on Woodland ward and described his time at East Surrey Hospital as invaluable.
He added: “I’d never been in a hospital before and it’s been a great experience. I have learnt how different departments work and it’s also given me the ability to talk to a wide variety of people which is a vital skill for a doctor.”
The Reigate teenager now heads to Oxford to study medicine after gaining 5 A*s in his A levels.
Redhill student George Hutchinson volunteered in the Discharge Lounge before moving to the Emergency Department and is now going to Southampton to study medicine after receiving 3 A’s at A level.
He said: “Volunteering for 18 months has been humbling but truly rewarding. I have gained so much practical experience and in particular I have learnt the importance of compassion and the ability to engage with patients.
“I now start my training to become a doctor and my motivation will be driven by the staff I met and the patients I helped care for as a volunteer at East Surrey Hospital.”
Surrey & Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, has been running the student volunteer scheme for 7 years and there is a lot of competition for the 10 places. Students who applied before the August 31 deadline will be interviewed over the next month and the successful applicants will start in November.
Maris Codling, Voluntary Services Manager, said SASH felt it was important that it played a part in helping young people become the health professionals of the future.
She added: “We are very selective ensuring that the students we take are focused, mature and reliable as we do require that in return for this opportunity they are able to contribute to supporting our staff and helping to improve the patient experience.”
But it’s not just students who volunteer, another 200 people can be found offering their help in many areas of the hospital including wards and clinics, the Patient Advisory Liason Service, trolley services, the Emergency Department and Paedeatric ED.
If you are interested in volunteering you can find more information in the volunteering section of our website or contact Maris on 01737 231719 ext 1719 or by e mail maris.codling@sash.nhs.uk.
