Calvary’s inclusive volunteer program wins award

Calvary Health Care Tasmania’s volunteer program, comprising more than 70 volunteers from all walks of life, backgrounds, and diverse abilities, has won Volunteering Tasmania’s award for inclusive volunteering.

Several volunteers attended the annual ceremony to receive the award at Tasmanian Government House on Wednesday, 13 November.

Calvary Lenah Valley and Calvary St John’s hospital’s Volunteer Services Manager, Carolyn Whamond, herself a finalist in the 2024 excellence in leadership award, said Calvary had a genuine passion for supporting people with a disability.

“Their inclusion in our community of care truly makes a huge difference,” said Ms Whamond.

“By listening to individuals and accommodating their needs and interests, we have been able to create many wonderful partnerships.” Bridget Coyle is one example.

“When Bridget came to Calvary, she wanted to be a waitress. Although we do not have a role for a waitress, we were able to work with her to understand her needs. Bridget started assisting patients on the wards complete their menus and has now changed to a patient support role in the Endoscopy Suite at Calvary Lenah Valley Hospital.

“My role is to make sure the patients get the food they need to make them better,” said Bridget. “After they have had their checks (colonoscopy) I ask them if they are hungry or want a drink. I take their order and make a tray of food in the kitchen. Then I take it back and make sure the patients get the right food,” Bridget said with pride.

“I feel Calvary is a good place for me to work and give my time to help patients.” Ms Whamond said volunteering at Calvary was a normalising experience for those living with intellectual or physical disabilities.

“It is an opportunity for them to mix it with anyone and everyone in the community. It’s normalising for them and brings them into a world where they meet people from all walks of life and backgrounds that they wouldn’t necessarily meet and interact with in their day-to-day lives.

“They love it, and we love it.

“We are fortunate to have a full complement of volunteers at present who come from all over the city and Greater Hobart region, and I think that’s testament to our community’s attachment to Calvary.

We’ve been here for more than 80 years and nearly every family in Tasmania would have a connection to Calvary. PAGE 2 of 2 “It is also a safe place for people who are different. We pride ourselves on our hospitality and everyone is welcome here.”

Calvary’s Head of Mission in Tasmania, Tony Brennan, said Ms Whamond’s work reflected Calvary’s values of hospitality, healing, and respect.

Now in her 10th year as volunteer manager, Ms Whamond came to Calvary after roles in tourism and cultural and performing arts, including her first experience leading a large volunteer team at Tasmania’s original arts festival, Ten Days on the Island.

“Walk into one of Calvary’s Hobart hospitals and you will immediately encounter Carolyn’s guiding hand when you are greeted by a volunteer who will extend a welcome and walk you to where in the hospital you need to be.

“They are just one of dozens of ‘angels’, as we call them, who move unobtrusively around the hospital making a difference to patients and visitors, and to Calvary staff and services. If you are in our wards, you will likely come across all sorts of volunteers who offer added care, support, and kindness to help make a difference, however small, in a patient’s day and stay in hospital.

“All of our many and varied volunteers donate their unique gifts, talent, and time to value-add to our healthcare services and give back to their community.

“It’s important to support all people who wish to volunteer. At Calvary we have developed many inclusive and meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities and our services are all the better for it.”

Pictured: Bridget Coyle and Carolyn Whamond

(Source: Calvary Health Care)