We currently have over 170 volunteers providing a variety of services in the Hospital. The team is constantly expanding as we develop more services.

This page contains outlines of some of those services. More details can be found by downloading our Application Pack.

Service Co-ordinators provide training as required as well as managing the rotas and liaising with the hospital management team.

Bingo

Volunteers run bingo sessions in order to entertain patients while they are undergoing treatment in the Ash Dialysis Unit

Holding Hands in Theatre

When a patient is having a cataract operation under local anaesthetic it is essential that they do not move as this could have a severe impact on a very delicate procedure.

So if the patient feels the need to sneeze, cough or say something he or she can squeeze the hand of a volunteer who will tell the team to stop the procedure safely. Many of the volunteers who provide this service have also had cataract operations and so can give some personal assurance to the patient throughout their visit to the hospital. 

Meet and Greet

Patients and visitors come to the hospital from all over Coventry and Warwickshire, as well as Rugby, and often need help to find their way to the ward or department where they have an appointment to attend or friends and relatives they would like to visit.

Volunteers are based at the entrances to Out Patients, the Day Surgery Unit, X-Ray department and can escort people to the place they are looking for.

A friendly face helps ease tensions for many who are anxious when they arrive and may be disoriented by the layout of the site! 

Tea Bar

Patients waiting for their appointments in Out Patients can enjoy a cuppa and a snack at the Friends Tea Bar.

Profits from this service contribute to the operating costs of the charity.

Ward Admin

Volunteers assist the Ward Clerks by answering the phones, filing records and a variety of other clerical tasks

Ward Trolley Service

Volunteers operate a service selling drinks, confectionery, newspapers and other items to patients and staff on the wards.  

Profits from this service contribute to the operating costs of the charity.

 
 
 
Volunteers are also needed for a variety of other services including:-
  • Befriending patients Some patients are elderly and do not have relatives or friends able to visit them so this service is designed to give those patients an all important visit to brighten their day.
  • Mealtime Companions Some patients benefit from assistance with eating their food or just need a little bit of encouragement! Not all patients have relatives or friends that are available to give this support and so a team of volunteers help on several of the wards at St Cross
  • Receipts and Distribution Volunteers assist the team by booking in deliveries from suppliers and sorting these into stock or for distribution to the appropriate wards or departments
  • Trustees The Charity is managed by a Board of Trustees who undertake a variety of roles and meet once a month