As part of Volunteers’ Week and Power of Youth Day 2022, a number of volunteers at Ninewells Hospital have been presented with a national award which celebrates the commitment and contribution of young people in volunteering.
NHS Tayside volunteers aged between 16 and 25 can sign up to the Saltire Award to record their hours and learning gained through volunteering placements and claim certificates for key milestones.
Saltire Award certificates were presented to the following volunteers:
• Matthew Lowdon, Ward 16 – 100 hours
• Levente Novak, Welcome Guide and Ward 1 – 50 hours
• Maya Donald, Ward 6 – 50 hours
• Zoe Hutcheon, Ward 6 – 50 hours
• Faye Furtado, Ward 19 – 50 hours
• Maci Hansen, Ward 6 – 25 hours
• Kaixi Liu, Ward 1 – 25 hours
• Maishah Mason, Ward 16 – 25 hours
• Jessica Philp, Surgical Acute Frailty Team – 25 hours
• Claire O’Regan, Surgical Acute Frailty Team – 25 hours
• Navreet Sidhu, Ward 16 – 25 hours
• Lucy Timney, Ward 18 – 25 hours
• Ava Vannet, Ward 4 – 10 hours
• Baizah Zahid, Ward 6 – 10 Hours
• Ashley Duthie, Ward 19 – 10 Hours
• Medha Pillaai, Ward 6 – 10 Hours
Faye Furtado has just completed her degree in Biomedical Science at Dundee University and is hoping to go on to study Dentistry. She said, “I loved volunteering and am grateful for the opportunity. I would like to thank staff in Ward 19 for making me feel welcome.”
Maishah Mason is about to go into 6th year at Dundee High School and hopes to study Medicine in the future. She said, “Volunteering has been great. It is good to be involved in helping others in the community. I look forward to learning more each time I volunteer.”
Claire O’Regan said, “I really enjoy volunteering and find every shift is different. Seeing the difference I can make to the patients even if it is small is really nice. Sometimes I see the changes in the patients’ mood during the time I spend with them, going from low mood to a smile when I leave them.”
Kaixi Lui is hoping study Medicine at St Andrews University from September. She said, “I have really enjoyed volunteering and this has been a great experience. I feel my communication skills have increased and it has increased independence as well.”
Voluntary Services Manager Val Ewan said, “I am grateful for all of our volunteers but in particular, on this occasion, thank our young volunteers for giving up their time to volunteer with us. Their commitment to volunteering is fantastic and they are a great group of people.
“At this time of year many of them finish volunteering with us as they are moving away to study at university. I wish each of them well and thank them for their contributions. For those who remain with us, we look forward to seeing them collect their next Saltire Awards soon.”