Poll: Would you be willing to volunteer to help support the NHS?
More than a third of British adults would be willing to volunteer to support the NHS, a survey has found.
The survey, for the Royal Volunteer Service, found the role of most interest to people was volunteering in shops or cafes, with 40% saying they would consider such work.
Some 39% said they could carry out practical service in the community - such as taking patients out on social visits - while more than a third (35%) expressed interest in carrying out hospital visits and 31% in helping on wards.
The research was carried out for the charity, which is dedicated to helping older people remain independent, by polling company ICM - which surveyed 2,050 adults over the age of 18.
David McCullough, chief executive of the Royal Voluntary Service, said: "Royal Voluntary Service volunteers have been supporting the NHS since it was founded in 1948 and we are delighted to see that volunteers are still willing to come forward to work alongside clinical teams to help support our greatest institution.
"Our trained volunteers can provide invaluable support in hospitals, freeing up clinical staff to carry out medical care."
Tony Stafford, who volunteers for the Royal Voluntary Service at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge - offering support, refreshments and conversation to A&E patients - said: "My weekly shift is always busy and different.
"Often unprepared, patients find themselves alone and fearful, in pain, facing tests, assessments and possible admissions to wards. I find the work challenging at times, but immensely rewarding."
In February an extra £1.2m of Government funding was awarded to the Royal Voluntary Service, Red Cross and Age UK to get more volunteers into A&E departments.
From June 1, the UK will celebrate volunteers' week, which recognises the contributions of people across all sectors who offer up their time.
