Volunteering in acute trusts in England infographics

I haven't managed to download the PDF yet but so far, I've seen information and infographics on the value for money that volunteers bring. I'd like to see more from volunteers about why they volunteer and what they get back - what motivates and inspires and what makes them give up and move on.

Thanks Lynne. The focus of this piece of work was on the impact that volunteers have on patients and on the organisations where they offer their time. Our earlier report from March this year talked much more about the impact of volunteering on the volunteer. You can find that here, http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/volunteering-health-and-care. The literature review on the right hand side of that page reviews a lot of the evidence on why people volunteer, what they get out of it, and why they may move on.

I too have not yet downloaded the PDF but wonder whether you have considered or will be considering the impact and cost of volunteering for partner organisations. Principally, the charity (voluntary) sector provides and manages I would suggest a more than significant amount of volunteers in Trusts but does the Trusts invest the £1 in the sector organisation? What is the cost of this to the sector organisation/ What are the implications if sector organisations cease supplying volunteers? I would go further and suggest that research in the future around integration of health and social care also considers considers supply and sources as integral components of impact. I am happy to discuss this further offline if you wish.

As a ward volunteer , dignity in care champion and patient and Carer councillor in addition to other activities I know at first hand how important our contribution is to help and support the staff and patients and the initiative to recruit more people to do this with a message of "if you have the time to spare - make it time to care !

I have worked with a local acute hospital to introduce a training programme that equips volunteers for a role in our Volunteer Companionship Service. This service enables them to sit with dying patients who have no or little family or friends in the final hours of their life. I am enquiring if any other acute trusts have similar service for end of life patients.