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8
COVER STORY
COVER STORY
YOU MAKE
MY DAY
T
Coming from all walks of life and
bringing their warm, personal touch,
volunteers at the NUH add a bright
spark to a patient’s day
9
hey may not don a uniform
their lives. In contrast, among non-
like hospital staff, but
givers, less than half (45 per cent) were
volunteers at the NUH bring
satisfied and happy with their lives.
joy and delight to the lives
“Volunteers enrich our patients’
of patients and play an important role
lives through their dedication and
in their journey to recovery.
selfless actions. Their efforts serve to
By becoming friends and interacting
complement the care which we provide
with them through activities such as
to our patients,” says Joy Wong,
balloon sculpting, origami and mural
Director for Corporate Communications
painting, student volunteers from
at the NUH.
the National University of Singapore
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Students’ Union Volunteer
Feeling a connection
Action Committee
to the NUH, the
(NVAC) “help patients
hospital he was
to temporarily forget
born in, Nicholas
their pain and
illnesses,” says Lye
Kng decided to
Khai Chyi, NVAC
volunteer his
project director.
time to care for
dementia patients
Since 2001,
there. For him, the
NVAC volunteers
best part about
have also
volunteer work
entertained patients
is when the elderly
in various wards with
singing and storytelling.
“We build rapport, we
want them to get well
Our volunteer bonding with patients grow closer to
him after an entire session
a young patient over art
of activities. “Some share
soon,” adds Khai Chyi.
with me what they would be doing at
“Their happiness and smiles are
a particular time of the day and tell me
the biggest inspirations and keep our
about their life and their families. Some
volunteers going.”
have also acknowledged me as a good
A 2012 study conducted by the
friend and a brother, which makes me
National Volunteer & Philanthropy
feel that my efforts are worthwhile,”
Centre (NVPC) showed the link
he says.
between giving and happiness in
Through his work, Nicholas has
Singapore. Among people who
learnt to be more patient. “Patients
volunteered or donated, two-thirds (66
who have dementia often do not want
per cent) were satisfied and happy with
to engage in any form of cognitive
activity, and they will come up with
A student volunteer from
NVAC sharing the day’s
news with a patient
By interacting
with patients, we
help them temporarily
forget their pain and
illnesses”
LYE KHAI CHYI, NVAC PROJECT DIRECTOR
lots of reasons not to do it,” he says.
So Nicholas has to be subtle in his
approach, often bringing colouring
materials or puzzles to gently coax
them to try their hands at an activity.
For Fiany Shah, art is her way to
engage patients. A volunteer with
Artwards, a charity project by Artsolute
10
COVER STORY
that brings art to the disadvantaged,
she works with patients to create art
pieces through drawing, colouring or
painting. She is heartened to see how
beneficial these art activities have been.
“Many say they feel so much joy when
they create. Also, by focusing on the
process instead of the end product,
they feel a stronger connection to their
art piece and it helps in regulating their
emotions,” says Fiany, who works as a
facilitator in a non-profit organisation.
“It has inspired me to reach out to more
individuals to use art as a platform to
express themselves,” she adds.
TIME WELL SPENT
Volunteers at the NUH hail from all
walks of life, even different nationalities,
like students from the United World
College South East Asia (UWCSEA).
Two days a week, they pay a visit to
young patients where they encourage
them to join in board games or build
things like a soaring tower. “It brightens
Volunteers at the
NUH hail from
all walks of life, even
different nationalities”
patients need is for us to hold them or
give them a warm hug. I remember a
father once said we are the angels sent
by God when I went up to comfort his
child,” she recalls.
The impact of volunteering goes
far and deep, not just for patients, but
a day at the hospital for these kids, says
Cathay Elliott, UWCSEA’s Head of Local
But it’s just another day for the ladies,
those who give of their time as well.
Service. “It also allows our students to
who started volunteering at the hospital
For one, it inspires many to become
interact and laugh with other young
through Singaporean volunteer Tay
better people. “It has made me
people. At the same time, they learn to
Cheng Toh. They say it allows them to
into someone who is better able to
collaborate with a different peer group
get to know the locals. “We are happy
understand others and share their
and develop a sense of responsibility
to see the smiles on patients’ faces and
burden,” says Nicholas.
and compassion.”
we hope our work can cheer up the
NVAC’s Khai Chyi encourages all
children in the hospital,” says Keiko.
youths to try volunteering at least once
At the paediatric ward, patients
may sometimes be surprised to see
For Cheng Toh, gaining the trust and
in their life. “It’s just like an apple. You
Japanese expatriates Keiko Tsuda and
love of patients is huge gratification.
won’t know how nice the apple is until
Naoko Kitamura helping out in the area.
“Often, when we’re there, what the
you taste it for yourself,” she says.
REACH OUT
To help patients cope with their
emotional and physical needs,
the NUH has set up various
patient support groups and
programmes:
Department of Otolaryngology:
Volunteers from the Rotaract
club and some individuals visit
the homes of hearing-impaired
children to conduct auditory
stimulation sessions.
Breast Support Group: The
group reaches out to breast
cancer patients and survivors
through the sharing of
experiences, and provides
knowledge, support and
comfort to those who may
have problems coping with the
disease and its side effects.
NUH Parkinson’s Disease
Support Group: Through a series
of medical talks, discussions
and outings, the group brings
together people affected by the
disease to discuss experiences,
share feelings, as well as
information and solutions to
common problems.
The Ronald McDonald House™:
A temporary home for families
with seriously ill children who
are treated at the NUH, the
facility allows parents to be
closer to their hospitalised kids.
Through these support groups,
the NUH hopes to empower
patients with essential resources
and information to enable them
to take charge of their health –
and more importantly, to know
that they are not alone. For
a list of support groups and
programmes, visit
nuh.com.sg.
Other volunteering
programmes you can
give time to include Mobile
Library, Playworks, Artwards and
Befriending. Interested to volunteer
at the NUH? Write to us at
[email protected]