Meet Gwen Stapleton, one of our lovely Meet and Greet volunteers, who has provided a warm and friendly welcome to visitors here for six years.
Gwen says the best thing about her job is meeting people and being able to help them.
“A busy day is a good day,” says Gwen. “Especially good when patients or members of the public stop off to say what a good job we volunteers are doing.”
Gwen has a terminally ill husband, who is currently being cared for in our Coronary Care Unit, yet she still finds the time and energy to help others.
“I look on my days at the hospital as my break away,” she says.
This week, Gwen is mentoring our newest Meet and Greet volunteer, Achal Kumar as she learns all the ins and outs of the job.
Before her retirement, Gwen worked in Human Resources for over 30 years. She relaxes by watching TV, a good film, or “when possible, a live musical show. I also love cooking and baking.”
We asked Gwen what she would say to someone interested in volunteering at the Hutt Hospital.
“If you like meeting people and are looking for a volunteer position to help you feel fulfilled, but is virtually stress-free, give it a go,” she says. “You’ll soon feel part of the Hospital family.”
Thank you Gwen, and to all our amazing volunteers, for sharing your skills with the Hutt Hospital community.
For more information about Meet and Greet volunteering at Hutt Hospital, please contact Michele Paku, michele.paku@huttvalleydhb.org.nz
Volunteers work right across the hospital, including:
- Meet and Greet at the main entrance. These volunteers might help with way-finding, locating wheelchairs, delivering flowers or offering general assistance (such as calling a taxi)
- Meals on Wheels volunteers head out in all kinds of weather to make sure vital food supplies are delivered to people who depend on us
- Friends of the Emergency Department volunteers (from St John) make cups of tea and help to put people at ease in ED
- Hutt Hospital Women's Auxiliary co-ordinates knitting for the special care baby unit and the inpatient library service.
- Our two-legged and four-legged friends at Canine Friends organise for doggy visitors to come and comfort patients in hospital.
- Knitters and crafters often donate goods such as knitted hats and blankets for our maternity wards. We are supported by several local knitting groups in the Hutt Valley.
