Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Volunteers who have helped patients in Carmarthenshire have been recognised for their long service. Evelyn Fowler and Margaret Ray both volunteer through the university health board’s Volunteering for Health project at Ty Cymorth in Carmarthen. At 92, Evelyn is Volunteering for Health’s oldest volunteer and has been volunteering at Ty Cymorth since her husband died 12 years ago. Evelyn’s husband was looked after by the service and volunteering was a way of giving something back and supporting other patients with a terminal condition. Margaret has been volunteering with Ty Cymorth since the service opened in 1995. She provides an opportunity for patients to sit and talk and provided them with refreshments Recently retired volunteer Joan Lewis was also recognised for the hours she has given. Joan has been volunteering in Ty Bryngwyn since it opened in 1995 providing an opportunity for patients to sit and talk and provided them with refreshments. Also praised for his long service w...

Hywel Dda Health Board has said thank you to its hundreds of volunteers and received national recognition for their work.  The Volunteering for Health project was set up in 2009 and since then more than 400 local people volunteer have their time, providing 29,933 patient contact hours which has benefited about 119,732 patients. A special event was recently held to say thank you to the people who had given their time to help staff and patients. Head of Volunteering services, David Fretwell, said: “Our volunteers day in day out give their time to improve patient’s experience of healthcare. “They are extremely dedicated and taking the time to say thank you is important, if you see one of our volunteers in their yellow t-shirts please speak to them and say thank you for their help." In a recent focus group staff fed back on the difference the volunteers were making: “Patients love having the volunteers to chat to and they enjoy having young people in the hospital.” “Absolutel...

Three young people who have volunteered at Hywel Dda Health Board are off to start their medical studies. Volunteering for Health has more than 70 different roles across 59 different healthcare locations in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. As well as benefiting the patients over 75 volunteers have gone onto further education or employment. As a patient befriender volunteer Syedah Aleena Haider supported patients and staff on the Stroke ward in Prince Philip Hospital. She also volunteered for Radio Prince Philip and a Diabetes Research Centre. She said: Through volunteering I have realised the importance of healthcare staff and the role they play for the wellbeing of patients. "I am starting Christ’s College, Cambridge form October to study Medicine. I have always wanted to pursue a career in Medicine, perhaps in research and the advancement of health sciences. The volunteering I did has provided me with some basic knowledge of how good quality healthcare and patient...

Hywel Dda Health Board | Pregnancy Buddy Scheme Sure Start Llanelli, working with Hywel Dda Health Board's Volunteering for Health project, is expanding its Volunteers Mentoring scheme and looking for volunteers to be part of a pilot Pregnancy Buddy scheme.

Hywel Dda Health Board | New mums receive special support New mums in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire can now get special support with their babies from volunteers. Hywel Dda Health Board’s Volunteering for Health Project has enrolled volunteers to help support new mums with their babies. Head of Volunteer Services, David Fretwell said: “All of the volunteers on the ‘buddy’ scheme are mums themselves. “The scheme is particularly designed for new mothers so the volunteers can share their experiences and offer reassuring support.”