A volunteer is anyone who, of his own free will, in his free time and without the right to financial reward, performs activities for the benefit of other people. Unlike hospital staff (often families), volunteers are not interested in health, which can mean a welcome change and an opportunity for the patient to break away from illness. The volunteer does not focus on the patient, but on the person. In no case does it replace the work of professional staff, but at the level of its possibilities and abilities it suitably supports and complements it. So there is definitely no need to have medical (or any other special) education.
Selection of volunteers
As volunteers at the Motol University Hospital are in direct contact with patients and overall all their activities take place in a medical facility, it is necessary that they go through a thorough selection in the Volunteer Center. Each volunteer attends an introductory interview with the coordinator, then decides whether to continue as an irregular or regular volunteer. The coordinator decides on the final inclusion of the applicant in the program.
Volunteer activities
There are several ways to volunteer at the Motol University Hospital, and the candidates always work with the volunteer coordinator to choose the right one.
Impact volunteering
Suitable form especially for busier applicants. This is help with crash events organized by Volunteers
center for pediatric and adult patients. Most often we organize various performances (theater, music, dance, etc.) or thematic workshops (art, beading, etc.). The volunteers here mainly help to bring the patients to the venue, organize the event, assist the patients and accompany them back to the rooms. In case of an interesting idea and a previous agreement with the Volunteer Center, it is possible that the event was invented and organized by the volunteers themselves. The events take place irregularly and the volunteers are not obliged to participate in each of them, they can choose according to their time possibilities and thus attend, for example, once a month. However, these events take place in the afternoon on weekdays, not in the evenings or on weekends. An applicant can become an impact volunteer from the age of 15.
Regular volunteering
Ideal for those who like order and are not afraid of attending on their own. These volunteers come once a week for 1-1 hours directly on
patient rooms and in addition completely separate. Therefore, in such a case, the procedure for this type of volunteering is a bit more complicated. Applicants from the age of 18 can attend regularly, and after an initial interview with the coordinator, they must also complete a one-day training course. Also in this case, the recommendation for regular attendance is again up to the coordinator. Eventually, however, regular volunteers start visiting children, adults and seniors and try to diversify patients for a long time in the hospital with a range of suitable leisure activities (games, art activities, talking, reading, etc.).
Canis therapy and zootherapy
If you want to date your animal partners. These are patient visits and dispersal with the help of animals. Volunteers
they form so-called canis therapy / zootherapy teams with their pets. Dogs most often come to FN Motol, but you can also meet rabbits, guinea pigs, grasshoppers, parrots and other animals. It does not matter so much the species, but rather the suitability of a particular animal. This is assessed by the coordinator for canis therapy and zootherapy, together with a methodology that prepares and trains suitable candidates for attendance at the same time. There is therefore no need for canis therapy examinations from other organizations. Volunteers can also come with animals regularly (individual contact with patients) and irregularly (shock events - so-called animal days).
How to meet a volunteer at the Motol University Hospital
Each volunteer registered at the Volunteer Center moves around the hospital properly marked with a bright yellow vest with the logo of the Volunteer Center, or a T-shirt with the words "VOLUNTEER". In addition, regular volunteers will receive a tag with their own photo and name. Canis therapy dogs wear a special harness marked "CANISTERAPEUTIC DOG" and the same marked leash.
