A new Meeter and Greeter Service is now available at Lagan Valley Hospital, providing patients and visitors with a warm welcome and support as they arrive at the hospital and find their way to Clinics and Departments.
Based at the hospital entrance, Meeter and Greeters are on hand to answer questions and provide directions to help those visiting the hospital. The service offers valuable reassurance to patients and visitors who may be unfamiliar with the hospital or feeling anxious about their visit.
One of the Volunteers helping to provide this welcoming service is Michael O’Sullivan, who decided to become a Meeter and Greeter following the passing of his wife in December.
Michael had been thinking about Volunteering since he retired and had often seen Meeter and Greeters at Lagan Valley Hospital. Following his wife’s death, he decided in March to contact the South Eastern Trust’s Volunteer Services and take the opportunity to give his time to help others.
Michael said: “I had been thinking about Volunteering since I retired, having often seen the Meeters and Greeters at Lagan Valley Hospital. Sadly, my wife passed away before Christmas and in March I decided to get in touch with Volunteer Services.
“Volunteering has been a wonderful experience. Now that I live alone, it gives me a reason to get out of the house and I have met some lovely people along the way.
“People often arrive feeling stressed, anxious or unsure about where they need to go and it is a real privilege to be able to help them and offer a little support when they need it.
“I would definitely recommend Volunteering to anyone who may be considering it. It has been a great decision for me!”
For many people, coming to hospital can be an anxious experience. Patients may be attending for the first time, be worried about an appointment or treatment or simply feel unsure about navigating a busy hospital environment. Having someone available to greet them, listen and guide them to the right clinic or department can provide valuable reassurance and help make their experience more positive from the moment they arrive.
South Eastern Trust, Volunteer Services Facilitator, Julie Cusick added, “The Meeter and Greeter Service provides something really valuable for our patients and visitors. Sometimes it can be daunting coming into hospital, particularly if you have never been here before or you are already feeling anxious about your appointment.
“Having a friendly face there to welcome you, answer a question, point you in the right direction or even walk with you to where you need to be can make such a difference. It helps people feel more comfortable and reassured and ensures they have someone they can turn to when they first arrive.
“Our Volunteers bring kindness, time and compassion to everything they do and the Meeter and Greeter role is a great example of how Volunteering can directly improve the experience of our patients and visitors. We are delighted to now have this service available at Lagan Valley Hospital.”
The Trust is currently recruiting Volunteers for Meeter and Greeter roles and is inviting people who could give a couple of hours of their time from Monday to Friday to get involved.
If you would like to find out more about becoming a Volunteer, please contact Volunteer@setrust.hscni.net.