Hundreds of volunteers aged from 16 to 94 are providing invaluable help to health professionals, but more are needed to swell their ranks...

THEY are the unsung heroes of Southamp-ton's hospitals.

From students to pensioners, a loyal army of volunteers works busily behind the scenes, helping to ease the everyday pressure on staff.

The volunteers can help make patients' stays in hospital that little bit more pleasant.

Whether it's simply fetching them a chocolate bar from the shop or helping them fill in a menu card, it can make all the difference.

Currently, there are more than 900 active volunteers helping out Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Aged between 16 and 94, the volunteers help out at Southampton General Hospital, the Royal South Hants Hospital, Princess Anne Hospital and The Manor House, which provides accommodation for people receiving radiotherapy treatment.

However, more are urgently needed to fill crucial gaps in the volunteer service, particularly at the Royal South Hants site.

Kim Sutton, voluntary services co-ordinator, said: "Our volunteers are from all sorts of backgrounds and come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and ages.

"They all have their own reasons for wanting to volunteer. For some people, it is simply about getting out and doing something - while some really want to make a difference.

"We try to match the needs of each and every volunteer with the needs of the trust. Our volunteers are giving up the most precious resource they have - their time - so it is important they are put in the right role for them.

"What they get back is a lot of satisfaction and achievement."

Kim stressed the volunteers were not there to fill staffing gaps, and that the hospitals should be capable of functioning as usual without them being there.

"Our volunteers are very much here to complement the work of the trust staff, not replace them."As well as the more traditional volunteer roles such as serving cuppas in the League of Friends' tea bars or wheeling a trolley laden with sweets, newspapers and toiletries around the wards, there are many less obvious ones.

Some voluntary workers help out at the hospitals' information points - providing patients and relatives with details of anything from bus times to details of the nearest hotel.

Others help guide patients to official NHS websites on the Internet if, perhaps, they have just been diagnosed and want more information.

Volunteers also work as hospital guides, or on out-patient departments, meeting patients, helping them get gowned up for an X-ray and offering them a cup of tea.

Sometimes, it is the added extras like this which can help reassure an anxious patient.

One such volunteer is 68-year-old Brian Luter, who helps out once a week in the child health department.

Well-known for his ready smile and chirpiness, Brian, from Lymington, said: "We are a very close-knit team and we try to make things fun for obvious reasons.

"Often we get children who are nervous at having blood taken, so we hold their arm and try and take their mind off things. We are always having a laugh with the children, which does me good too."

Shalu Aggarwal, of Shirley, plays a crucial role in the volunteers' office, helping with photocopying, faxing and other office work, as well as serving customers in the hospital tea bars.

The 27-year-old, who is currently studying for an Open University degree as well as a photography course, said: "For me, it is about interacting with people. I am developing myself and enjoying what I am achieving."

Living in Fareham doesn't stop disabled Mike Homer, 65, volunteering with the chaplaincy department once a week, visiting patients as a friend for a chat and, if they want, a prayer.

"The hospital is a place of unknowns for many people so it is good to make a patient smile and cheer them up a bit," he said.

Hilda Kemp, 74, of Rownhams, is one of the longest serving volunteers, having clocked up 40 years in the X-ray department and League of Friends shop at Southampton General.

"I remember when it was an old hospital and we used to sell cigarettes in the shop," she laughed.

"I love meeting people who come into the shop. I always give them a friendly smile."

David Martin, 30, of Swaythling, is the volunteer department's latest recruit.

He decided to get involved, along with his mum, after his dad had cancer.

"I am going to be in the stores, pricing up things twice a week. So far, it has been good fun," he said.

Another volunteer who fulfils a crucial role is 65-year-old Alec Banks, who clocks up an incredible 4.4 miles selling copies of the Daily Echo on the wards.

WHERE THE NEED IS GREATEST:

VOLUNTEERS are needed across Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, but particularly at the Royal South Hants Hospital.

Vacancies exist in the hospitals' seven tea bars, at information points, and to work as guides throughout the sites.

There is also a need for people with good interpersonal skills to help patients access information about their condition and to work with a new bereavement service being piloted.

Radio Lollipop, based at Southampton General Hospital, needs more helpers to work with sick children one evening a week.

The trust's multi-faith chaplaincy team needs more volunteers to help take patients to services at the hospital chapel, while the League of Friends urgently needs a treasurer.

Volunteers will also be needed to help out at the new cancer information and support centre due to open its doors at Southampton General Hospital early next year.

Volunteers can give as much or as little time as they like, but most offer a minimum of two hours a week.

The minimum age requirement is 16 but there is no upper age limit. Currently, there is a shortage of volunteers in the 50-to-70 age bracket.

Volunteers can claim expenses such as mileage or bus fares, and anyone who works a five-hour stint receives a lunch allowance.

For more information, contact Kim Sutton on 023 8079 6062.