Plymouth hospital volunteers give 20,100 hours of help

More than 300 volunteers have been offering help at hospitals in Plymouth

Volunteers have given up 20,100 hours of their time to support staff and patients at hospitals in Plymouth so far this year.

The figures have been released by the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP).

It said the team of more than 300 volunteers have been offering help at Derriford Hospital, Mount Gould and the Cumberland Centre.

It added the team's support can have a huge impact on patients.

Becky Smith, voluntary services manager, said: "Our team gives over 2,000 hours every month to UHP, whether that's in the Emergency Department, Outpatients, on wards or on Hospital Radio.

"It really is so varied and has a significant impact."

The UHP said some volunteers had progressed into careers in the NHS, while others had upskilled themselves and improved their CVs.

It said anyone interested in volunteering can find out more on the UHP website.