Our year in review
By Wendy Spratt, Head of Volunteer Involvement
At CNTW, volunteers can learn from patients, carers, staff and fellow volunteers, while using their skills and experiences to help others.
Volunteers can bring a different dimension to patient care, without the demands placed on our colleagues. Volunteers help us offer a range of activities and social opportunities to patients.
Some recent activities support by volunteers include:
- mobile library
- carers group
- music group
- build and bloom (gardening)
- recovery through activity group.
Working together is vital. We are very proud of the good working links we have across many areas. By spending time with patients, volunteers can hear directly about people’s hobbies, interests and preferences. This helps volunteers and staff to tailor activities and opportunities to people's needs, interests and abilities. This helps more patients to engage, and improves their experience.
We offer volunteer roles which recognise people's skills and interests. Volunteering can provide valuable opportunities for personal development, build confidence, and help people explore career paths.
Learning is not limited by someone’s job or position in society. Everyone has knowledge, skills and experiences that they can share. Our staff encourage volunteers to learn, share knowledge, and make a difference.
This article is part of our 2026 Annual Magazine, all around the theme of 'learning and improving'. You can read the rest of the articles here.