Community Connect: Could you help support your local NHS this winter?

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT) is the main provider of community NHS health and care across Brighton and Hove, West Sussex and the High Weald, Lewes and Havens area of East Sussex.

The Trust provides a wide range of services to more than 9,000 people every day, caring for people from their earliest moments to their last.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: “Volunteers can make a real difference to our patients and are very much an integral part of our vision Volunteers play a huge part in supporting the delivery of care in our hospitals.

“We are looking for people to join us as volunteer ward helpers as they make a real difference to the care we provide, especially over the winter months when our staffare at their busiest.

“Our patients’ wellbeing is of the utmost importance to us, and you will support their care through conversations, activities and games.

Most volunteering takes place seven days a week and shifts last two to three hours.

"We do ask for a commitment of six months although there may be other opportunities to volunteer for a shorter period, subject to availability.

“Community Connect Volunteering is brilliant if you: Enjoy helping others and want to play a role in improving patient experience, want to give something back to the NHS after you or a family member have been treated here, want to contribute to your local community, want to use the role to demonstrate your existing skills and further your

personal development, want to put to good use the skills and experience you have gained over your lifetime, are thinking about career choices and are thinking of joining the health and social care sector, would like to build your confidence, learn new skills, and make new friend.

The Trust are looking for volunteers to help at: Crawley Hospital, Kleinwort Hospital, Haywards Heath, Horsham Hospital, Arundel and District Community Hospital, Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital, Zachary Merton Hospital, Rustington, Crowborough War Memorial Hospital, Lewes Victoria Hospital, Uckfield Community Hospital, Brighton Intermediate Care Unit.

To find out more about volunteering for Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust visit www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/work-with-us/volunteering.