This week, 9-15 May, is National Volunteer Week, and volunteer Paul Bryan from The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital is pleased to be among more than six million Australians being recognised.
Paul Bryan has been volunteering in The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program for the past three and a half years.
“I had a heart procedure 10 years ago and told myself that after I retire, I would volunteer to try to help others that are in the same situation I was,” Mr Bryan said.
“I volunteer every Tuesday and Friday and support the clinical team with whatever help they need. The patients often don’t understand what they’ve gone through and are trying to make sense of their second chance at life. I think they appreciate the support from someone that’s been there - I can say, ‘look at me’,” he said.
“When they complete their program and walk out smiling it is incredibly rewarding.”
Wallis Westbrook, General Manager of The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital, said the hospital owed a huge debt of gratitude to its 80 volunteers.
“Our volunteers are truly appreciated for the excellent contribution they make to our hospital,” Mr Westbrook said.
“Our hospital, our community and our country are the grateful beneficiaries of their generosity, passion and enthusiasm,” he said.
The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital has been serving the community for 35 years and is part of UnitingCare Health - one of the largest not-for-profit private hospital groups in Queensland which operates more than 1000 licensed beds across four hospitals.