They are one of the driving forces behind the excellent care offered at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH).
The hospital relies on them, and patients’ visits to the Barrie facility are enhanced by their hours of dedication.
They are the army of tireless RVH volunteers and the hospital wouldn’t be the same without them.
Approximately 750 volunteers in 80 different areas of the hospital give more than 120,000 volunteer hours a year.
Phil Holdsworth has been donating his time for the past 22 years and says he’s more than happy to do it.
Like many of the volunteers, keeping busy is vital.
“Initially, I did it because I retired and needed something to do,” he told BarrieToday while taking a break near the emergency department. “I tried a couple of things, but I came to the hospital and I’ve loved it ever since.”
Someone, of any age, can benefit while on the receiving and giving end of volunteering, he added.
“The thing I get most out of it is when I do something for people," Holdsworth said. "It might be a warm blanket. It could be a cup of coffee.”
Holdsworth recounts one of those encounters.
“There was a lady in a room on her own and she was crying and I went in and asked her what the problem was,” he said. “She broke down and told me she’d just had a miscarriage.
“I put my arms around her and stayed with her for quite a while until the nurse came.”
His act of kindness did not go unnoticed.
“Later on, she was going into ultrasound while I was leaving. She asked the nurse to stop what she was doing and came over and gave me a big hug,” Holdsworth said. “That’s the kind of nice things that happen.”
What most of us would feel is a simple pleasure at home is so gratifying in a hospital scenario for patients.
“We have warm blankets and I tuck it around their neck and they get such happiness out of that,” he said. “It’s the little things that give you the pleasure.”
Holdsworth’s wife also did her part at RVH, volunteering in the Cafe Royal for almost 20 years.
“You get so much out of volunteering. It feels so good to help someone. That’s what it’s all about,” he said.
Barry Green also volunteers in the RVH emergency department helping patients get to imaging or X-ray appointments or ultrasounds, giving directions to family members and visitors, making up beds: “whatever we’re needed for."
“I like the opportunity to give back. You meet lots of interesting people," he added.
“Sooner or later I think most people go through the emergency department for one reason or another. There’s not a week that goes by when I don’t run into someone I know.”
The volunteering unsung heroes are part of the fabric of RVH, according to Val Smith, the hospital’s chief strategy officer.
“Our volunteers bring their heart and soul to work every day,” she said. “We constantly hear from our patients, staff and physicians how the ‘Blue Brigade’ – a name our volunteers are affectionately called – are so caring and kind.
“From helping families navigate to their loved ones and assisting patients at the bedside, they live our values, helping us achieve our vision to Make Each Life Better. Together,” Smith said.
“We have said it time and time again, but it is worth repeating," she added. "We just couldn’t do what we do here at RVH without our valuable volunteers.”
Holdsworth said he’ll be part of the giving for as long as he can.
“It never seems like work. It’s a pleasure helping people; that’s where you get the enjoyment. I’ll do this until I can’t do it any longer.”
If you are interested in joining RVH’s Blue Brigade, visit www.rvh.on.ca. You must be willing to commit to a minimum of six months of service. People interested in volunteering must participate in phone pre-screening or attend an in-person interview.
For more information, call 705-739-5650.
