Our Trust boasts around 350 volunteers – many of whom are student volunteers, already dedicating their time to the patients of Teesside.
From escorting patients to their appointments to helping with feeding, our young volunteers are learning on-the-job what it means to work in the NHS.
Anjalee Wanigatungage and Katie Jenkins are two young student volunteers who have already kick-started their careers in medicine and health care.
Anjalee’s story
18-year-old Anjalee Wanigatungage was born in Sri Lanka and raised in Italy before moving to Stockton-on-Tees three years ago with an interest in medicine.
A second-year student at Stockton College, Anjalee started volunteering on ward 27 at the University Hospital of North Tees in January last year. Her aim was to gain work experience in health care and to improve her communication skills.
She said: “Being on the ward showed me what the hospital environment’s like but it also showed me how hard working NHS staff members are towards patients in order to provide the best health care service.”
Less than a year into her volunteering role, Anjalee applied for a position at the hospital as a team support worker. Successful in her interview, Anjalee begins her new job shortly. She will take on non-clinical tasks such as:
- Answering ward phones
- Re-stocking supplies
- Keeping patients company
- Helping with patients’ feeding and hygiene
She has also received unconditional offers to study biomedical science at university and will begin her studies in September.
Anjalee continued: “My career aspiration is to be part of the NHS and using my knowledge to help others.
“And I think the best thing to do in order to achieve your goals is to take any opportunity that you are offered because, no matter how big or small it is, there will always be something to learn and reflect on.”
Katie’s story
Katie Jenkins, 18 from Stockton-on-Tees, is a former volunteer and is now a medical student at Hull York Medical School.
Katie volunteered at the Trust as a clinical volunteer for over a year.
She said: “Being a clinical volunteer at North Tees was an amazing experience that helped me kickstart my career in medicine. Being able to experience working in a clinical setting, whilst actively being involved in patient care provided me with the insight needed to apply to medical school.
“It also helped to confirm my aspirations to enter the medical field.”
Currently in her first year at university, Katie is already looking beyond graduation and hopes to work in general practice.
When asked if she has any advice for young people with aspirations of a career in medicine and healthcare, Katie said: “Research all of the different options out there.
“The NHS is an amazing and extensive service, which offers so many different roles and careers. Many you might not even have heard of! It’s definitely important to consider all of these options before deciding which one is right for you.”
Why should I volunteer?
Volunteer coordinator Paul Wharton said: “Anjalee’s and Katie’s stories are both great examples of how you can take advantage of the opportunities of volunteering in your local NHS whilst gaining valuable work experience.
“They’ve said it themselves, take the opportunities and explore the options. I can’t recommend this enough. The NHS is a fantastic resource and there are many careers within it that you may never have considered.
“Hats off to them and all the very best for their future.”
Volunteers of all ages share their time with the Trust for a number of reasons. From gaining vital work experience as student volunteers to spending their time in a way that is meaningful to them after retirement. Taking on a number of different roles, they are highly valued throughout the Trust.
To find out more about volunteering with us, call 01642 383933 or email [email protected]
More information is also available on our volunteer page.