‘I definitely recommend it’: ERH young volunteers on their role

National Student Volunteer Week is from Monday, August 5, to Sunday, August 11, and recognises the unpaid work done by students and young people across Australia.

For Moama Anglican Grammar School Year 11 student Jaxson, volunteering at the hospital was suggested by his mum, who works at ERH in the health information services team along with his sister who is a nurse.

“I had a lot of spare time on my hands, and I was thinking of things I could do during school holidays,” he said.

“My mum said to me, ‘they’re asking for volunteers down at the hospital in the ED’, so I thought I might have a shot at that.

“I went to orientation and liked it.

“I just thought it would be good to spend my time doing something that makes me feel good about myself.”

Sophie is in Year 12 at Goulburn Valley Grammar School, and started volunteering at ERH to give her exposure and experience before she hopefully pursues a career as a paramedic.

“I did experience work placement at a childcare centre, and it’s sort of into health, but it got me thinking that I should probably be doing some experience in environments that I want to work in,” she said.

“I don’t know anyone who is a paramedic or who works as a nurse or anything, so I just wanted to get a look at it.

“Becoming a paramedic is the goal.”

As volunteers, Jaxson and Sophie help out by packing the storage room, preparing cups of coffee and tea, cleaning beds, and checking in on how patients are going.

They also play an important role as a supportive ear for patients, who are often going through some of their most stressful experiences in the emergency ward.

“Giving them a bit of company while they’re in hospital, if they don’t have anyone there with them, I’ll just have a chat with them,” Jaxson said.

Being in a hospital environment has given Sophie a good understanding of a paramedic’s role, and rather than scaring her away, has cemented her future career path.

“I like working with the nurses, seeing them do their job and seeing the paramedics come in,” she said.

“(I feel) good, it’s solidified the fact that I do want to do it.

“I feel like I would work well in here.”

Jaxson is a seasoned volunteer, helping out at his school’s cross-country carnival, joining in the CLRS Recyclability Program and working at an op shop.

While he is not necessarily keen to don the scrubs or get behind the wheel of an ambulance, he enjoys the volunteering experience.

“I like the ED volunteering, but I don’t think it’s something I would go into as a career,” he said.

“I’m sticking to it because it makes me feel good about myself, coming in every week or every couple of weeks and making other people’s lives easier in here.”

Jaxson and Sophie are the first young volunteers that ERH has had, a change of pace from retirees finishing their working life who usually take on the role.

They spoke highly of the team at ERH, encouraging others to volunteer, whether at the hospital or elsewhere.

“If you’ve got spare time ... definitely find somewhere to volunteer,” Jaxson said.

“I definitely recommend it.”