Volunteer

Coledale Hospital has small number of volunteers work on site.  If you would like to become a volunteer at Coledale please contact the Director of Nursing/Operations Manager via the Hospital main reception on 4267 0111.

David Berry Hospital has a large volunteer group for its Palliative Care and Rehabilitation patients. For more information or to become a volunteer contact the David Berry Hospital volunteer coordinator on 4464 6985.

David Berry also has a dedicated Auxiliary who work tirelessly to support the Hospital. If you are interested in joining the auxiliary please phone the Hospital main reception on 4464 1001 for further contact details.

Milton Ulladulla Hospital has dedicated groups of volunteers, including a strong and active branch of the United Hospital Auxiliary Group and a Cancer Outpatients Appeal Group. For contact details of either organisation please phone the Hospital main reception on: 4454 9100. The Hospital is also supported by Palliative Care and Safe Patient Area (SPA) volunteers - contact the Volunteer Coodinator on 4464 6985 for information. 

Port Kembla Hospital has volunteers for its Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Amputee patients. Most volunteers provide practical assistance on the ward or in patient's homes, while other volunteers raise funds for equipment or to support volunteer activities.

For more information about what volunteers do, see Volunteers under Palliative Care Service, or contact the Port Kembla Hospital volunteer coordinator on 4223 8414.

Port Kembla also has a dedicated Auxiliary who work tirelessly to support the Hospital. If you are interested in joining the auxiliary please phone the Hospital main reception on 4223 8000.

Shellharbour Hospital Auxiliary has a large volunteer group who provide a trolley service to patients at the hospital with essential items and snacks. They raise a significant amount of funds for equipment every year. If you are interested in joining the auxiliary or volunteering at the hospital please phone the Hospital main reception on: 4295 2500.

Volunteers run programs and support the hospital in a variety of ways including generous fundraising and compassionate services.

The Grandparents Program in the Children’s Ward provides support to children and their families through companionship. The Pink Lady trolleys offer snacks and beverages to patients and their families and the Auxiliary regularly hold fundraising stalls and provide other volunteer support functions.

The Volunteers Assisting and Supporting Elderly patients (VASE) program is a new initiative at the Hospital aimed at supporting older people by providing social, emotional and practical support to patients to enhance their care. We are calling for volunteers in the Shoalhaven to help us by engaging with our patients – whether it’s going for a walk, helping with meals, playing board games or simply just having a chat.

To become a volunteer at Shoalhaven Hospital please contact the hospital main reception on 4421 3111 and provide your contact details. We will then contact you to start the recruitment process.

Wollongong Hospital has a number of dedicated volunteer groups that provide services to patients, including the Friends of Wollongong Hospital, the Illawarra Cancer Carers and the Community Cancer Link. If you are interested in volunteering with one of these groups please phone Wollongong Hospital main reception on 4222 5000 for further contact details.

Volunteers are an integral part of the cancer treatment journey and provide care and support to cancer patients and their families and carers. Volunteers help raise funds to purchase equipment to enhance the treatment experience.

If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact:

• Illawarra Cancer Carers
• Cancer Outpatients Appeal of Milton Ulladulla Inc
• Cancer Council NSW

Our volunteer services provide specially trained volunteers who offer support for palliative and rehabilitation clients in hospitals and in patient's homes. Volunteers make a valuable contribution to the total care of patients and their carers.

Volunteers help by:

• offering companionship
• providing respite and support for carers
• reading, playing games, writing letters
• sharing their skills and interests
• assisting at meal times and with activities
• providing basic practical support - not patient care
• and most importantly, being a friendly ear!

Volunteers are bound by the same professional and ethical standards as staff, most importantly respecting and maintaining privacy and confidentiality.

Joining the Volunteer Service

Volunteering involves initial training and participating in supervised shifts. Volunteers also receive annual training in infection control and safety, with ongoing education and support.

An average commitment for volunteers is two to three hours per week that can be tailored to your availability. Volunteers may also be invited to support patients in other wards or hospitals.

If you are interested in volunteering with us or if you know someone who would benefit from the Volunteer Program, please call:

Volunteer Co-ordinator - Port Kembla Hospital (Illawarra): 02 4223 8414

Volunteer Co-ordinator - David Berry Hospital (Shoalhaven): 02 4464 6985

In-patient services at Kiama Hospital ceased in September 2016, however the Kiama Hospital Auxiliary continues to raise funds to meet the equipment need of the Kiama Ward, based at Shellharbour Hospital, as well as the needs of community and outpatient health services provided at the Kiama Integrated Primary and Community Health Centre. For more information contact the Auxiliary President, Julie Stokes on: 4233 1566.