WYTHENSHAWE Hospital is gearing itself for a new era as building work on state-of-the-art acute blocks near completion.

The brand new hospital on site will mean exciting times not only for medical staff at the hospital - but also for the many volunteers who work in the various departments

And they are keen to recruit more locals as the Voluntary Services section of the South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust plans expansion.

Voluntary services manager, Lynda Leicester tells SAM: "Once the rebuilding work at Wythenshawe is complete there will be a wide variety of opportunities for volunteers on site.

"Not only will the hospital be bigger and better but there is also the transfer of departments from Withington which will increase the workload for medical staff.

"That is where we come in with around 250 volunteers at present who help out in a variety of ways, like being available on the wards to offer assistance to the nurses."

Lynda says that the voluntary services department is thriving, but there is always room for more - especially as a new front information desk will be manned solely by volunteers from that department.

She goes on: "There are no set hours - it is just any time that can be spared.

"Most volunteers do between three and four hour shifts up to five days a week and carry out many duties from tea trolleys to helping staff and chatting to patients."

One volunteer who has worked at the hospital for five years is seventy year old Sheila McHale who works six hours on two days a week.

She tells SAM: "I love the work I do here and it is like a second family.

"I love talking to patients on the wards and most of the time it helps improve the quality of the time they spend here.

"It is something that gives me something to do in my spare time and I would advise any one with time on their hands to get involved - it really is worthwhile."

The volunteers help in all sorts of ways at Wythenshawe, and any training that may be needed, such as customer care advice, is given.

But many of the roles involve offering a helping hand and Lynda says that it is an invaluable service.

She adds: "The help that the volunteers provide makes life easier for both staff and patients alike and the more we have the wider range of services we can offer."

For more information on the voluntary services department, call Lynda Leicester on 291-4546 or 291-2872.