Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is appealing for volunteers to support patients on two wards that the trust runs at Farnham Hospital.

Bourne and Hale wards provide rehabilitation services for predominately older people who have spent time at Frimley Park Hospital following an illness or surgery, and need more time to recover and rehabilitate to their full potential.

The wards are seeking patient companion volunteers to sit and chat with patients from time to time, perhaps play a game of Scrabble, help with activities in the patients’ day room or provide assistance at mealtimes.

Voluntary services manager Mike Stone said: “We know that regular communication and activities help patients to recover and volunteer patient companions help to speed up that recovery.

“Our volunteers are special people. They add an extra dimension to patient care and allow staff to focus on their clinical roles. And of course their support is especially valuable for those patients without families nearby.”

Volunteers should be willing to commit at least three hours a week at Farnham Hospital. All volunteers undergo a DBS check and complete an occupational health questionnaire, as well as attend an induction session.

Frimley Health is running some information sessions in Farnham over the coming weeks where potential volunteers can find out information about volunteering for the trust and what they may expect from volunteering. Anyone interested can email [email protected].