DECEMBE R 2 0 1 7

VOLUNTEERS NEWS

ACH | GREENLANE | ST ARSHIP VOLUNTEERS CENTRE

FROM THE VOLUNTEER C OORDINATOR: INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

FROM THE VC 1

VOLUNTEERS 2 - 4 C H R I S T M A S LUNCH One of my best moments in volunteer management is to see you all enjoy SARVAT’S POEM 4 yourselves at the End of Year celebration. This year’s was held at the O U T R E A C H 5 - 7 THERAPY PET VOLUNTEERS Rose Park Hotel in Parnell which most of you called the best ever. I would VOLUNTEERING 8 - 9 like to especially thank Sarvat for her wonderful Starship poem, Farhein T R E N D S A T VOLUNTEERING for her solo dance act, Trevor and Nik for their musical entertainment dur- AUCKLAND

WHEELCHAIR 10 ing lunch. S E R V I C E VOLUNTEERS A T R M H Looking back at 2017, we have much to be grateful for: the initial Com- NEWS FROM TE 11 WHETU TAWERA panion Volunteers project ended on a high note with a new twelve month HOP ON RADIO 12- 13 LOLLIPOP! proposal that will see 50/60 Companions volunteer throughout Reable- WELCOME NEW 14 ment Services in the new year, the new Pet Programme for Starship Chil- RECRUITS

L5 BLUE COAT 15 dren’s Hospital will be starting early new year as well, the Blue Coat team INFORMATION DESK leaders having their final say over a new scarf and tie for the Blue Coats THE NEXT ISSUE 16 as we speak, we’ve come to a finalised design for the level 5 Info Desk & DID YOU KNOW

and there have been many more successes on individual and on team level throughout the year. Overall we’ve seen a huge growth in numbers of

volunteers from about 140 to 200+. The motto for 2017 was ‘autonomy’

and I really do believe that all of you have stepped up in taking charge of  Monthly Newsletters‘ your roles and responsibilities. input needs to come from all of us: Coordinator, all volunteers, charge I wish you all a smooth transition from 2017 into 2018, taking only the nurses, security people and all other key people most valuable memories that work alongside us. with you into the new year.

 Your input can be new ideas, shared experiences, Happy Reading! good ol’ memories, anything of mutual interest is welcome! VOLUNTEERS NEWS Page 2

CHRISTMAS AT ROSE PA RK HOTEL 2017

Our annual Volunteers Christmas Lunch at the Auckland Rose Park Hotel was attended by around 100 volunteers over two days, on the 28th and 29th of November. The volunteers en- joyed a delicious buffet lunch while appreciating the lovely view over the Parnell Rose Gar- dens. This year, two Wednesday Outreach Therapy Pets, Scruffy and Mandy joined us with their volunteers, Ann and Heather.

Suzanne Corcoran, our new Director, Participation and Insight attended the lunch on both days using the opportunity to meet and chat with the volunteers. On the second day, we were joined by Dr Andrew Old, Chief of Strategy Participation and Improvement who gave a short speech thanking the volunteers for their service during 2017. Lindy, Suzanne and Julie also gave thanks to the volunteers in their brief speeches.

Musical entertainment was provided by Nik, the ukulele player from Te Whetu Tawera on the first day while on the second day, Trevor Anderson (ACH & GCC Blue Coat) played Christmas songs on his keyboard. Farhein Akmal (ACH Blue Coat) entertained us on both days with a Bol- lywood dance. On the first day, Sarvat Fatima (SSH Info Desk) recited a Christmas poem that she wrote for Starship Hospital. Rohit Bhoge (ACH Blue Coat) recited the poem on Sarvat’s be- half on the second day.

A big thank you to Lindy for organizing such a wonderful Christmas function as always. DECEMBE R 2 0 1 7 Page 3

Andrew Old giving his Trevor Anderson on his keyboard speech

Suzanne Corcoran giving her speech on the second day VOLUNTEERS NEWS Page 4

CHRISTMAS AT ROSE PA RK HOTEL 2017 (CONT)

Farhein Akmal performing a Bollywood dance O’Starship - full of life with brilliant hue Calm, serene and pure as morning due.

Pink walls, soothing shades with ceilings high, long corridors, toy library and open sky

Care for all, distress to none, Nik playing his ukulele highly diverse, standing as one.

Smiling faces with comforting eyes, bringing relief from phantom cries.

A chuckling baby, a toddler hopping, books and toys like Christmas shopping.

The treasure of wisdom, you avail, the hospital grannies with fairy tales,

You care to give and give with care, and care in abundance everywhere.

Gloomy are days in death and grief, prayers for them, may they Rest in peace.

Hope, love and solace who brings, you seem to be an angel without wings!!

Sarvat Fatima

Heather with Mandy and Ann with Scruffy DECEMBE R 2 0 1 7 Page 5

OUTREACH THERAPY PET VOLUNTEERS

The Benefits of the Human-Animal Bond has the potential to help patients to experi- in Hospital Settings ence these benefits when they are most in need. Outreach Therapy Pets is a joint initiative run by the Auckland centre of the SPCA and St John Northern. The programme involves vol- Positive interactions with unteers and their therapy animals visits with animals can provide wide those in need. The programme’s goal is to range of physical and harness the benefits of the human-animal psychological benefits bond to alleviate stress, induce positive feel- ings and improve well-being. Outreach Thera- py Pet Volunteers regularly take their animals Therapy Animals can be utilised in a wide va- to a range of establishments including hospi- riety of ways. Animal Assisted Activities refer tals, mental health units, schools and rest to the interactions that volunteers and their homes. therapy animals have with patients. This gen- erally involves visiting, patting, cuddles, tricks. Animal Assisted Activities are led by Human-animal bond can the volunteer, whilst Animal Assisted Therapy alleviate stress, induce is led by staff who set goals for the patients positive feelings and and monitor their progress. An example of improve well-being this could involve attempting to improve the range of motion in a patients arm (following a stroke) by getting them to pat or brush an The human-animal bond is the connection, or Outreach Therapy dog. Animals are highly relationship, that is formed between people motivating for patients, staff have often and animals. It is mutually beneficial to both found that patients who lack motivation will humans and animals. Positive interactions happily oblige when an animal is involved. with animals can provide a wide range of physical and psychological benefits from low- Animals are highly ering blood pressure and relaxing muscles to improving mood and reducing stress. Utilis- motivating for patients ing therapy animals within a hospital setting VOLUNTEERS NEWS Page 6

OUTREACH THERAPY PET VOLUNTEERS (CONT)

We asked Outreach Therapy Pets volunteers her visits with a patient prone to agitation who have visited Auckland Hospital, Starship and aggressive outbursts. Staff shared with and the Mental Health units to share some Ann that the patient would calm down imme- meaningful Animal Assisted Interventions diately in the presence of Scruffy and when they have witnessed. The paragraphs below gently stroking or interacting with Scruffy. Vis- outline some powerful experiences that pa- its with therapy animals are hugely beneficial tients have had as a result of therapy animal to agitated clients in terms of improving visits. mood, shifting focus and reducing aggressive outbursts.

Utilized in physiotherapy sessions to motivate and reward patients

Ann mentioned that Physiotherapists have utilised Scruffy in physiotherapy sessions to motivate and reward clients. She shared a Scruffy positive outcome experienced by a young pa- Animals can be very helpful in reducing tient who refused to walk following surgery. patient stress and agitation. An Outreach When the patient was told that Scruffy need- Therapy Pets volunteer, Ann, shared a ed a walk and asked whether she would like positive outcome she witnessed during to walk him, the patient happily obliged. The volunteer and Physiotherapist walked along- side her, a double lead was used for safety. Therapy animals can improve mood, shift focus and reduce aggressive Patients are more engaged outbursts in agitated in their treatment in the patients presence of a therapy dog DECEMBE R 2 0 1 7 Page 7

The family and the physiotherapist were self-esteem, self-acceptance and provide op- thrilled with the progress the patient made portunities for safe intimacy and physical and at how motivating Scruffy was in her touch. The volunteer shared that even those treatment. Staff often comment that clients who don’t normally like exercising or going have become more engaged in their treat- outside have been motivated to take Shadow ment as a result of a therapy dog being pre- for a walk. Further, patients experiencing low sent. mood often experience positive shifts in their mood when being visited by Shadow. Shadow Sasha, an Outreach Patients often experience Therapy positive shifts in their mood Pets volun- during Shadow’s visit teer, shared some posi- One Occupational Therapist, who utilises tive patient Shadow in a number of ways, even equipped outcomes a hearing impaired patient with a headset and she has wit- microphone so the patient could better hear nessed dur- and interact with Shadow. The combination of ing her visits the headphones, microphone and the visits to mental were found to be very beneficial to the patient health wards with her dog Shadow. Sasha who experienced significant feelings of isola- has observed that the visits help to improve tion. the mood of patients, have motivated them to walk outside and encouraged them to I hope you have enjoyed the above stories socialise. Visits with therapy animals can shared by our Outreach Therapy Pet Volun- also have the added benefits of improving teers. The staff at Auckland Hospital, Starship and the mental health units all do such an in- Visits with therapy animals credible job, as do the hospital volunteers. can improve self-esteem, Outreach Therapy Pets volunteers enjoy their time at the wards they visit and the opportuni- self-acceptance and provide ty to assist with patient care. If staff have opportunities for safe questions or would like to enquire about ther- intimacy and physical touch apy visits to their ward, they can email [email protected] for more information. VOLUNTEERS NEWS Page 8

VOLUNTEERING TRENDS AT VOLUNTEERING AUCKLAND DECEMBE R 2 0 1 7 Page 9

(Adapted from Valuing Volunteer Seminar, November 2017 presented by Cheryll Martin, General Manager, Volunteering Auckland) VOLUNTEERS NEWS Page 10

WHEELCHAIR SERVICE V OLUNTEERS AT THE ROYAL MELBOURNE HOSPITAL

One of the services being provided by the vol- bed or chair into the wheelchair, assistance unteers at The Royal Melbourne Hospital is a is requested from staff. If it is from a car, a Wheelchair Assistance Service. The Wheel- family member who is experienced can assist chair Assistance Desk is located at the foyer the patient. of hospital and manned by Wheelchair Ser- The requirements for the Wheelchair Service vice Volunteers in shifts similar to that of our Volunteer role are almost identical to that of Blue Coats. our Blue Coats. The additional physical re- Patients requiring the use of a wheelchair quirement is the ability to walk between two can request assistance from the Wheelchair to three hours each shift and the strength Assistance Desk. These requests can come needed to push a wheelchair as required. from staff in wards, clinics or departments I was most impressed with the wheelchair and also directly from patients or family service of the Royal Melbourne Hospital and members. would like to explore options for Auckland The Wheelchair Service Volunteer will then City Hospital and Greenlane Clinical Centre in assist the patients by either pushing them in the new year. the wheelchairs or escorting them to the dif- ferent wards and departments of the hospi- tal. Patients can also be picked up from or taken to the carpark or the taxi ramp.

All Wheelchair Service Volunteers are given the appropriate training to familiarise them with the wheelchairs and taught the skills needed to push a wheelchair safely while keeping the patient comfortable.

However, the role does not include physically assisting patients into or out of a wheelchair as they are not trained in patient transfers. If the patient cannot get themselves from the DECEMBE R 2 0 1 7 Page 11

VOLUNTEERING AT TE W HETU TAWERA

Well another year is done and dusted! Where helps them relax, gives them an opportunity did the time go? to talk about their own pets and just 'chill out'. Volunteering at Te Whetu Tawera has been going really well. We have recruited more Those vollies who could attend the Xmas musicians ... Violinists, flutist, pianists as lunch really enjoyed it and Nik our ukulele well as our Activity vollies who come in and player was able to play for us which was a play chess, ping pong, or join the jewellery real treat. making or Art groups. Have a wonderful and Our therapy dogs Spooky, Kiri, Shadow and safe festive season!! Ewok are a great addition to the week and people say that seeing the dogs and talking Julie Hagan to their owners helps them in many ways … it

Julie Hagan with some of the Te Whetu Tawera volunteers at the Volunteers Christmas Lunch VOLUNTEERS NEWS Page 12

HOP ON RADIO LOLLIPO P!

On Saturday the 11th of No- vember we had our annual Radio Lollipop fun day in the Starship atrium. It was fan- tastic to have the atrium open this year and we made the most of the space, with lots of games and crafts to keep the kids entertained.

This year our theme was Hop on Radio Lolli- heads, hunted around the atrium for one pop and our radio show and activities were fish, two fish, red fish and blue fish and had based around Dr Seuss stories. We pinned egg and spoon races - going backwards to the hat on the cat, balanced apples on our make it more challenging! DECEMBE R 2 0 1 7 Page 13

HOP ON RADIO LOLLIPO P!

We had four craft stations set up with chil- the kids (and volunteers!) dancing along to dren designing new socks for the fox, creat- the Macarena. One of our biggest supporters ing truffula tree gardens, decorating hot air Campbell also visited and performed some balloons and making an array of Dr Seuss of our favourite songs on the radio including character puppets. one from Moana.

Facepainting is always a highlight of our fun days as of course is our radio show. The children loved hearing their song re- quests and listening to extracts of their favour- ite Dr Seuss books.

As always we are very thankful to all the vol- unteers who helped or- ganise and run the ac- tivities on the day. The children had a blast and we can’t wait to do it again next year!

We were lucky enough to have Sticky TV hosts Walter and Leanna join us for the after- Sarah Morrison noon, causing much excitement and getting VOLUNTEERS NEWS Page 14

WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEER RECRUITS

Alice Gladwell Elizabeth Thomson Farhein Akmal SSH Playroom SSH Grandparent ACH Blue Coat

Fraser MacKinlay Joanne Thomas Shannon Lomasney GCC Blue Coat SSH Info Desk SSH Toy Library

Good luck new recruits! Great to have you on our teams in Starship Children’s Hospital, Greenlane Clinical Centre and Auckland City Hospital.

We are currently looking out for new volunteers in the age group of 50+ Vicky Zhuang ACH Blue Coat How about sharing your shift with a friend or relative? DECEMBE R 2 0 1 7 Page 15

LEVEL 5 BLUE COAT IN FORMATION DESK

The Blue Coat Information Desk at Level 5 has been replaced with a temporary desk with the ongoing re- furbishment. The desk is where the new Blue Coat Information Desk will be placed once the refurbish- ment is completed.

Here is a sneak peek of what Level 5 will look like once the refurbishment is completed in early 2018.

Geraldine Donovan, Jay Weerasinghe and Geraldine Russell at the temporary BC Info Desk at Level 5

Current Vacancies:  BLUE COATS AUCKLAND CITY HOSPITAL

 STARSHIP HOSPITAL INFORMATION DESK

 STARSHIP HOSPITAL GRANDPARENTS

 STARSHIP PET PROGRAMME THE NEXT ISSUE: Check out our Website adhb.health.nz  Will be released in February 2018

 Introducing new VOLUNTEERS CENTRE recruits

 Update on projects Auckland District Health Board Auckland City Hospital  2018 Events Participation & Experience Level 4 Calendar 2 Park Road Grafton  We want to hear Auckland 1142 from YOU: fun Tel: 021-674-826 stories, advice, E-mail: [email protected] anything you’d like to share

VOLUNTEERS DO IT BEC AUSE THEY CARE!

DID YOU KNOW:

Three of the current six THE AUCKLAND DHB Companion volunteers and I VOLUNTEERS CENTER’S at the Auckland DHB Health SUMMER BREAK IS FROM Excellence Award evening MONDAY 18 DECEMBER 2017 on November 30th. Having TO MONDAY 8 JANUARY 2018. learnt a lot that evening, we hope to be back next year: PLEASE RECORD YOUR LEAVE better and stronger! From IN THE ABSENCE BOOKS, left to right: Peggy Bindle, THANK YOU! Anushma Sharma, Fleur GCC Blue Coats, Ben Russell Rollston and Lindy Lely. and Moon Wati all dressed up for the festive season