Volunteers Week 2025: Celebrating our health board volunteers
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have around 600 dedicated volunteers who support patients in various different ways, day-in day-out.
This week marks Volunteers Week, a chance to thank volunteers for their hard work and recognise the impact they have on patient care. It is also an opportunity to promote the range of volunteering opportunities available, and the benefits volunteering can have.
There are a range of different volunteering opportunities available at the health board, from welcoming patients on arrival to hospital and chatting with patients during their stay, to facilitating arts and crafts or music sessions.
Volunteers give up their time, whether its 1 hour or 10 hours per week, to be there for patients and enhance their overall experience in hospital.
The health board works with partner organisations and charities like Skills and Volunteering Cymru, Marie Curie, Horatio’s Garden, University of South Wales and Cardiff University to offer a range of volunteering roles for people of all ages.
Patient befrienders are some of the most popular volunteering roles throughout the health board. These volunteers interact with patients who may feel lonely, isolated or bored when on the wards. They spend time talking with patients or support with activities at the bedside or in the day rooms. These volunteers can make a real difference to a patient’s day, especially for those who don’t receive many visitors.
One patient who receives visits regularly from student volunteers at St Davids Hospital, said: “I went to Cardiff University myself, and I have learnt a lot from the volunteers about how the university has changed.”
“The company is good because most of my relatives live away so I don’t get that many visitors. They’re very personable, I’ve gotten along really well with them.”
Ward Manager of Elizabeth Ward at St Davids Hospital, Zara, also added: “The volunteers come to the ward once or twice a week to support patients’ wellbeing, and are great for patients who don’t have visitors regularly or visitors at all. We’ve certainly noticed the benefit for individuals as it gives them something to look forward to during their week.”
“It massively helps their mental health and wellbeing, and their rehabilitation as well.”
The Patient Experience Team are currently recruiting volunteers across several areas at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board:
Ward Welcomer – Offer a warm, welcoming presence to visitors and patients at the Children’s Hospital for Wales.
Activities Volunteer – Help support recovery-focused activities in the Adult Mental Health Unit at University Hospital Llandough.
Patient Befriender – Brighten someone’s day with conversation, connection, and fun activities on various different hospital wards across the health board.
As a volunteer, you can gain unique healthcare experience whilst making a meaningful, positive impact on patients’ experience in hospital.
To find out more, check out the volunteering vacancies on the Voluntary Services - Cardiff and Vale University Health Board page.
A special shout out to all the volunteers who are making a difference to patients every day this Volunteers Week.