Services
Since 1961 volunteers have played a supportive, hands on role in a variety of departments, clinics and wards throughout The Royal Children's Hospital.
Support to children
Support may be provided on wards, working through the Educational Play Therapy Program, supervising play activities in Outpatients Clinics, in Day Surgery and caring for pre-school siblings in the staff creche. Assistance is also given on the Adolescent Ward under the direction of the Adolescent Creative Expression Co-Ordinator. At Uncle Bobs Centre volunteers work with children with developmental delay and volunteers also assist children with school work through the Education Institute.
Support to families
Family Support Volunteer
These volunteers are assigned to a ward to provide support for the families of patients, by either offering respite or just being a warm friendly person with whom to have a chat or spend time with patients who do not have visitors. Volunteers are often called upon to assist in the care of siblings of patients.
Recovery Ward
Volunteers support families whose children are having surgery, in the pre operative ward area, the induction room and the recovery ward.
After Hours Program - Currently no vacancies
Volunteers support families in the wards week day evenings and weekends or in the Emergency Department evenings and weekends.
Family Resource & Respite Centre
A quiet area for families staffed by volunteers.
Emergency - Currently no vacancies
A team of 50 volunteers on 3 hour shifts provide support for families in the Emergency Department.
Active work throughout the hospital
Staff are also supported at the Front Enquiry Desk, Emergency Departments - Currently no vacancies, and inpatient desk where volunteers guide and direct the public during the day.
A group of volunteers make approximately 350 arm splints every week for children receiving intravenous therapy.
Basic clerical
Ongoing assistance is given with collating, large mailouts and basic clerical support to a variety of departments including couriering documents between departments.
