Some of our staff were volunteers for us before they got a job in the Trust. Read their stories below:
Diane – CNTW Chaplain
What made you consider volunteering with CNTW?
I started studying for a Theology degree later in life with a view to changing my career. I set off with the goal of going into teaching children with special needs. But as part of one of my modules I had to arrange a placement in a Chaplaincy Department. One of the options was mental health chaplaincy which appealed to me. I was lucky enough to secure a placement and spent 21 hours with a chaplain across services at St George’s Park and Northgate. I loved it so much that I wanted to volunteer once a month to support the Chaplaincy service on a Saturday morning alongside my studies.
How easy was it to find out about volunteering and how did you find the process, training and support?
Because I had spent that time on placement, I became aware of volunteers who supported Chaplaincy. The Chaplaincy Department put me in touch with Voluntary Services and the process was seamless. The communication was great and the team guided me through it all very supportively. They even came up to St George’s Park to complete the training with me.
Did you volunteer with the forethought of working for the Trust?
No, this was never really in any of my thoughts at the outset. As you can probably imagine, every Saturday at the St George’s service would be different but there were some special moments when patients would share their stories which was such an inspiration.
Is there any particular volunteer memories you would like to share?
Being invited to special events arranged by Voluntary Services. Although with working and studying it was always difficult to get to them, but I did appreciate the lovely invites I received.
I do recall making it to the commissioning of two Chaplains at St George’s Park, one of whom I work with now. It was good to be part of that celebration. We had refreshments and a catch up afterwards with the Chaplaincy team and other volunteers.
Would you recommend volunteering within CNTW to any other potential future employees?
Definitely! It gives you very good insight and experience of what working in CNTW is like. The people are very supportive and encouraging. You never know what doors will be opened and new possibilities emerge!
Paul – Feedback and Outcomes Lead
What made you consider volunteering with CNTW?
I was coming out of mental health treatment after a long time (15 years) and studying. I wanted to give something back while checking my resilience and ability to be a successful part of a team.
How easy was it to find out about volunteering and how did you find the process, training and support?
The team were really welcoming to me and supported me from the moment I said I was interested. I found training to be really useful and found the person-centred approach to be supportive.
Did you volunteer with forethought of working for the Trust?
No, I was planning to work in the heritage sector but found my past mental health difficulties to be stigmatising. I found the Trust to be the opposite, they recognised my strengths and people recommended I apply for a Trust job. The rest, as they say, is history.
Is there any particular volunteer memories you would like to share?
I have lots of fond memories. I remember getting a game of corridor ten pin going in the dementia day service and the consultant joining in, I think the patients really got a lot from that. I also remember supporting a man who was keen to leave as he was worried about his wife. I spent 2 hours talking to him about his childhood in wartime and by the time I left it was time for him to go and he hadn’t been anxious all of the time we spoke.
Would you recommend volunteering within CNTW to any other potential future employees?
Yes, I now volunteer outside of the Trust and believe it’s such worthwhile work.
Francesca – Clinical Manager
What made you consider volunteering with CNTW?
Mental health has always been important to me and a topic I am very much interested in. During studying psychology at university, I decided to look for volunteering opportunities within mental health to broaden my knowledge, support others and further my professional skills. I had volunteered whilst in sixth form and really enjoyed this experience. I chose CNTW due to the fantastic feedback I had from peers and from reading about the volunteer project online. I was aware of CNTW as a Trust and its dominance within mental health care. As soon as I enquired, I was asked to come to St Nicholas Hospital for a meeting to meet the team and discuss my skills and where may be most suitable to volunteer. The team were wonderful; so welcoming and enthusiastic about their brilliant service and made me feel at ease.
How easy was it to find out about volunteering and how did you find the process, training and support?
The process was simple, I was recommended to look into the CNTW Trust. I googled the volunteer page, sent an email and then was invited along for an informal meeting. I received an induction to the Trust and I was supported throughout by the Voluntary Service; they made me feel very valued and part of the Trust. Once a placement was found I was provided with a mentor and worked alongside this person and she further inspired me to work for the Trust. My expenses were paid for travel to and from the hospital.
Did you volunteer with the forethought of working for the Trust?
Originally, I was unsure what I wished to do in relation to my career. After university I moved back to southern England, however soon came back after applying to do a masters in nursing at Northumbria. I knew then that I would be remaining in the north and that I would only wish to work for one Trust – CNTW. I completed my course and applied for a nursing position at St George’s Park and I have just been promoted to Ward Manager of the acute female inpatient ward.
Is there any particular volunteer memories you would like to share?
Volunteering within the STARR project at Walkergate Park was one of the best opportunities I have ever had. Having the privilege to support patients through recovery; supporting people to learn to walk, talk, engage again was such a powerful experience. The team was fantastic and my mentor was exceptional. They really promoted the Trust values and inspired me to follow a career within mental health. We supported an individual who had a keen liking for Mario kart and pool; that was my Thursday afternoon sorted; to see this person come through such adversity of his injuries and progress to going home to his family was incredible.
Would you recommend volunteering within CNTW to any other potential future employees?
I would highly recommend volunteering within CNTW; I believe that CNTW provides one of the best, most supported volunteering opportunities that can be accessed within mental health care. My Volunteering opportunity opened my world to a Trust that I am proud to be working in today and ignited the path to my nursing career.