Elaine's Story | Volunteers' Week 2022

Thank you to NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde for sharing Elaine's amazing volunteer journey.

Meet Elaine Penman, Royal Alexandra Hospital AHP Support Volunteer

Elaine has been volunteering with us at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde for over 5 years, in a variety of roles. She started her NHS volunteer journey by helping out at the Langlands unit, at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, assisting the Activities Coordinators in providing specialist rehabilitation for Older People. Shortly afterwards, Elaine registered on the Dietetics course at GCU and was persuaded to join the team at Ward 23 at the RAH where she assisted with mealtime support to patients.

Elaine has actively continued her invaluable support throughout the past couple of years as part of our RAH Volunteer COVID Response team. Within this role, she has helped with everything from coordinating donation distribution to being a key part of our valuable Give & Go team. Once visitors returned to the wards, Elaine resumed her work supporting the Physio team in Orthopaedics where she makes an enormous difference to patients in their recovery, ensuring they take part in vital exercises whilst having a blether.

Elaine explains why she got involved;

“Transitioning from an office job in community pharmacy to frontline healthcare, I was keen to explore primary and secondary settings whilst studying.  Over the five years, I have moved between different roles and locations, which has been an excellent opportunity to experience diverse areas of the NHS and play a part in helping staff and patients.

I enjoy meeting new people and supporting patients during their time in hospital, whether it’s doing seated exercises, filling up their water jug, talking about food and nutrition or having a general chat to pass the day.  

Building confidence in interacting with patients and feeling comfortable in the ward environment has been great.  As a dietetic student, I am gearing up towards placements and working with the public in a healthcare role.  Every shift is a learning experience!”

In April 2022, Elaine was offered a paid role as a Dietician in her local health board. Whilst we are sad to be losing Elaine as a hugely valued volunteer, we are absolutely delighted that she has progressed onto her chosen career path, in an area of work she is passionate about.

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Click here to learn more about volunteering in Renfrewshire.