AWCH Ward Grandparent Scheme

Do you know someone who might be interested in volunteering? Perhaps you, or one of your friends or relatives, are looking for an opportunity to do some volunteering. It can be very rewarding.

Volunteering and healthy ageing suggests four reasons for volunteering:

• Make a contribution to society
• Share your skills
• Support a cause
• Do something meaningful with your friends and colleagues

I would like to suggest a 5th and that is the positive impact it can have on your health and well-being. Research shows there are many personal benefits that flow from volunteering, including:

• Increased confidence
• Sense of personal achievement and satisfaction
• Opportunities to learn new skills
• Feeling good about making a difference to others’ lives
• Friendships

So let your friends and relatives know about the AWCH Hospital Ward Grandparent Scheme Established in 1987, it is a highly regarded service in all major NSW children’s hospitals. Ward grandparent volunteers make a real difference to the emotional side of healing by just ‘being there’ when parents cannot.  Ward Grandparents can be called upon to give their time to a child or young person and provide a familiar, reassuring face. In the word's of one of the AWCH ward grandparent volunteers:

'It has given me a sense of being needed. For more than twenty years of volunteering as a Ward Grandparent I have had joy, frustration and long-term friendships from this rewarding activity. I would recommend it to anyone who is retired and has free time.Thank you to AWCH for the support given to the Ward Grandparent Scheme.'