TUESDAY, 6 JUNE, 2023

Photographs attached: 1 – Georgia McKinley (right) and Sophie Dykes, 2 – Sarah Kouhy, 3 – Louise Robertson, 4 – Beth Dawson

Young people recognised for volunteering with NHS Tayside

As part of Volunteers’ Week and Power of Youth Day 2023, a number of NHS Tayside volunteers have been presented with a national award to celebrate the commitment and contribution of young people in volunteering.

The Saltire Award is open to volunteers aged between 16 and 25 who can sign up to record their hours and learning gained through volunteering placements and claim certificates for key milestones.

Saltire Award certificates were presented to 27 volunteers across Tayside:

50 hours

Iqra Altat – ward 38, Ninewells

Haajirah Arshar – ward 19, Ninewells

Mehmet Cetinkaya – ward 4, Ninewells

Nameera Hasan – ward 4, Ninewells

Maryam Najam – ward 6, Ninewells

Briendal Tony-Enejeta – maternity triage, Ninewells

Travis Davey – Roxburghe House

25 hours

Mohammed Anwar – ward 16, Ninewells

Sophie Dykes – ward 16, Ninewells

Bita Hope – ward 19, Ninewells

Sarah Kouhy – ward 27, Ninewells

Georgia McKinley – ward 16, Ninewells

Amy Stewart – ward 16, Ninewells

10 hours

Hasan Al-Hussein – ward 27, Ninewells

Lucy Bryceland – ward 38, Ninewells

Beth Dawson – ward 16, Ninewells

Shwehtha Dayaratne – ward 26 Ninewells

Ayodhya Fernando – ward 26, Ninewells

Lydia Fernando – ward 16, Ninewells

Marian Gado – ward 4, Ninewells

Morag Hosie – ward 1, Perth Royal Infirmary

Louise Robertson – ward 10, Ninewells

Taiba Sharif – ward 6, Ninewells

Shambhavi Shandilya – ward 16, Ninewells

Anwita Srivastava – ward 6, Ninewells

Katya Walls – ward 16, Ninewells

Tsz Ching Wong – ward 16, Ninewells

Ninewells ward 16 volunteer Georgia McKinley said, “All the staff have been so welcoming and friendly towards me. Volunteering has become a highlight of my week and I find it so rewarding seeing the positive effect I can have on patients.”

Sophie Dykes, who also volunteers on ward 16, added, “Volunteering is incredibly rewarding, boosting my confidence through interactions with the exceptionally hardworking staff, as well as through listening to and conversing with friendly patients.”

Sarah Kouhy volunteers in ward 27 at Ninewells. She said, “The Saltire Award is an honour to receive and it is a very good way to celebrate the volunteering that I have done at Ninewells Hospital. The experience is rewarding and enjoyable.”

Louise Robertson is an activities volunteer in ward 10 at Ninewells. Louise said, “The Saltire Award recognises the time and effort myself and many others put in every week and receiving it gives me a great sense of achievement.”

Ward 16 volunteer Beth Dawson said it was a nice surprise to find out about the award. “I really enjoy volunteering and the feeling of achievements it brings,” she said. “I have finished my college course for this year and will start an HNC in Healthcare next session.”

Voluntary services manager Val Ewan said, “I am grateful for all of our volunteers and on Power of Youth Day I would particularly like to thank our young volunteers for giving up their time for us. They’re a great group of people who want to make a difference and their commitment to volunteering is fantastic.

“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.”

Contact: Louise Wilson, NHS Tayside Communications, (01382) 740718