More than just work:
Combining JOB and volunteering
synergy instead of conflict:
How work and volunteering strengthen each otheR
Awareness of the outstanding work of nurses and doctors has increased among the public, not least since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, they are still struggling with high workloads and stress on a daily basis. One way to support employees in hospitals is through volunteer patient helpers, which are now available in almost every major hospital. Here, people provide free support with non-medical issues such as personal wishes or simply as a conversation partner. This service is increasingly focused on older people, people without relatives, people living alone and people from retirement homes, but the hospital help is also there for all other patients and takes time for them.
With Reply, I can continue my voluntary work alongside my job. The tasks are varied, and every day is different. As small as these acts often seem, they have a huge impact on the recovery and well-being of patients and go far beyond the mere fulfillment of tasks. Above all, the goal is always to improve the patient’s stay and quality of life and have a positive impact on their hospital experience.
I am motivated by the knowledge that I am helping to make other people’s lives easier at difficult times and seeing the joy in patients’ eyes. My voluntary work also helps me in my job. No matter how stressful it can be at the moment, it’s important to keep a cool head and not let your emotions overtake you, and that applies in the hospital just as much as in the project. You are often confronted with different and difficult situations, so it is important to be empathetic and assess the situation quickly. Both activities pose problems that sometimes require an unconventional approach and the ability to think outside the box, as the solution doesn’t just fall to you. At the end of the day, the most important aspect for me is working in a team. Both in the hospital and at work, agreements must be made and followed, we support each other and only together is it possible to achieve the best result.
All in all, working as a hospital volunteer is a valuable investment in the community and helps to create a more positive atmosphere in the hospital.
