TUESDAY, 4 JUNE, 2024

Photographs attached: 1 – Senior Charge Nurse Caroline Stewart and Alex Mudie, 2 – Lavina Ismail, 3 – Anastasiia Orlova, 4 – Suvetha Manoharan, 5 - Alina Khan

Young people recognised for volunteering with NHS Tayside

As part of Volunteers’ Week and Power of Youth Day 2024, 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.

Alex Mudie volunteers on ward 18 in Ninewells and has racked up a staggering 100 volunteering hours. On this incredible achievement he said, “I joined the volunteering team to help other people and make good use of my free time. What I enjoy most about my time in the ward is meeting a variety of people and hearing their experiences. I look forward to my volunteering shift and feel very much part of the team.”

Presenting Alex with his award, senior charge nurse Caroline Stewart said, “I would just like to congratulate Alex for gaining his 100 hours Saltire Award. Alex is an amazing volunteer and always appears keen and eager to assist. Patients enjoy talking to Alex and the other volunteers when they are on the ward. It brightens up their day.

“Ward 18 appreciates all volunteers and as a team we are so proud of each and every one of them who gift their time to provide this valuable service to our patients.”

Saltire Award certificates were presented to 22 volunteers across Tayside:

100 hours

Alex Mudie, ward 18, Ninewells

50 hours

Lucy Jamieson, ward 19, Ninewells

25 hours

Stella Balodis, ward 1, Ninewells

Fatima Fzea, ward 18, Ninewells

Rayyan Khan, ward 16, Ninewells

Wiktoria Lowandowska, ward 11, Ninewells

Anastasiia Orlova, ward 38, Ninewells

Sara Oussaiden, Dudhope Young Peoples Unit

Alexandra Paterson, ward 19, Ninewells

10 hours

Anu Bojan, ward 1, Ninewells

Yvonne Fyriou, ward 4, Ninewells

Alanis Gibson, ward 16, Ninewells

Amy Hirons, ward 38, Ninewells

Lavinia Ismail, ward 26, Ninewells

Kusha Jaggi, ward 16, Ninewells

Alina Knan, ward 16, Ninewells

Ethan McCall, Major Trauma Unit, Ninewells

Suvetha Manoharan, ward 3, Ninewells

Chidumebi Okwuodigbo, ward 1, Ninewells

Zara Steele, ward 38, Ninewells

Senalya Rajapakse, Acute Medical Unit, Ninewells

Virag Szeman, ward 4, Ninewells

Ninewells ward 16 volunteer Alina Khan said, “Volunteering is very rewarding. It is great to be able to help people. I really enjoy my time volunteering in Ninewells and having the opportunity to talk to lots of different people.”

Lavinia Ismail, who volunteers on ward 26 at Ninewells, said, “Volunteering is fun. The highlight for me is having conversations with patients. I am surprised how quickly my time volunteering has passed.”

Anastasiia Orlova volunteers on ward 38 at Ninewells. She said, “I am enjoying meeting new people and love to speak to the patients and staff through my volunteering. I like to be able to help people and see them smile. Volunteering has certainly increased my confidence.”

Ninewells ward 3 volunteer Suvetha Manoharan said, “I really enjoy talking to lots of different people during my volunteering. The staff and patients in ward 3 are so welcoming. It’s lovely to receive this award.”

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:

Cara Longmuir

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740720