VOLUNTEERS at St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane have been supporting staff, patients, families and visitors for more than 60 years.
In 1953, volunteers first helped raise the funds to build the hospital.
It was with their help St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane (then Mt Olivet Hospital) opened its doors to the community in 1957 at Kangaroo Point.
With the hospital then firmly established, volunteers became more involved with patient care, visiting patients, giving their time to listen and assist with small tasks.
This National Volunteer Week (May 11-17, 2015) St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane celebrates the happiness volunteers give to others and in-turn feel themselves.
Fifty volunteers have generously donated their time daily, weekly or monthly this year to “Give Happy and Live Happy” – the theme of National Volunteer Week.
A hospital spokesperson said Claire Church was typical of the volunteers with her generous contribution.
She walks the palliative care ward weekly visiting people with her fury companion Kimba, a male shih tzu-maltese cross.
It’s an activity that is warmly welcomed and received by patients and staff.
The spokesperson said St Vincent’s Private Hospital Brisbane thanks its dedicated and hardworking volunteers.
To learn more about volunteering at the hospital go to the website www.svphb.org.au.