Volunteering at BHS 

Who can volunteer?

Volunteers come from all walks of life. They may be retirees, full time students, people who are in the work force or occupied with home duties.

The aim of the Volunteer Service is to contribute to the care and welfare of patients and visitors of Broadmeadows Health Service.

As a volunteer you will:

• Receive training and education
• Receive support and assistance from staff -  Participate in functions held at Broadmeadows Health Service
• Receive regular newsletters
• Enjoy the company of other volunteers and be a valued member of the team

"A feature of volunteering is its reciprocity - giving as well as receiving"

As a volunteer you have the responsibility to:

Be committed to the organisation
Carry out the work you have agreed to responsibly and ethically
Value and support other team members
Ask for support when you need it
Respect confidentiality

"People cannot discover new oceans unless they have the courage to lose sight of the shore"

Volunteering Opportunities

Adult day Activities Centre
Accompany patients on outings
Assist with organised games
Assist with craft activities

Chronic Renal Dialysis
Volunteers who assist in this area make the patients a refreshment and spend time chatting

Day Procedure Unit
Volunteers assist staff with offering refreshments, talking and generally helping patients during their visit

Inpatient Units
There are three wards where volunteers visit - Palliative Care, Aged Care and Rehabilitation. Activities include going for walks, reading, talking to patients and participating in the daily trolley round.

Music Group
The Rehabilitation and Geriatric Evaluation and Management GEM) Units have a weekly music group run by volunteers. The Groups are proving to be a wonderful success with both volunteer and patients!

Craft Group
Two patients from each unit have the opportunity to participate in a weekly craft group. Patients will make a variety of items to keep. The group meets on Wednesdays in the dining area of the Rehabilitation Unit.

Settling in Service
Volunteers provide assistance to patients in the following ways:
Accompanying the patient home after discharge from hospital
Purchasing essential provisions, for example, bread and milk
Preparation of an initial meal or a snack if the patient wishes
Escort a patient to a medical appointment

Volunteer Driver Service
The Volunteer Driver Service (VDS) has been running since mid-2004. This service has been designed for BHS clients who live at home, but who do not have any access to transport to attend medical appointments.   

If you want to help others, share talents and make new friends, please contact our staff who will be happy to discuss the program with you. Our Volunteer Coordinator may be contacted on telephone number (03) 83455000