Health leaders acknowledge the region’s volunteers

This Volunteer Week (15-21 May 2023), Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) and Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) are today acknowledging the regions volunteers, in particular those in health, who contribute so much to the health and wellbeing of our communities. 

MLHD Chief Executive Jill Ludford said this year’s theme of ‘the change makers’ resonates with what she witnesses across the various MLHD facilities in the region.

“When I think about the theme of this year’s Volunteer Week, I can’t help but be inspired about the change our many volunteers make to the quality of life of people in our communities,” Ms Ludford said.

“In all of MLHD facilities, every day we have a host of volunteers supporting people, from our corporate volunteers who assist with wayfinding support, run a snack trolley and help with small tasks in the wards, to our pastoral care volunteers, our activity leaders who guide people through various exercises like tai chi and aqua therapy, to our volunteers who provide social supports to patients with practical activities like painting nails, hand massage or reading and many others.

“The efforts of these unsung volunteer heroes of health really to contribute to the health and wellbeing of so many people every day, and, on behalf of MLHD and its Board, I would like to thank them for selflessly giving of their time to support and care for others.”

Both MPHN and MLHD facilitate 33 Local Health Advisory Committees across the region, which would not be possible without the volunteers of which they comprise.

Acting MPHN CEO Narelle Mills said the contributions of the 200 volunteer LHAC members from across the Murrumbidgee are vital for MPHN and MLHD understanding the needs of communities.

“The role our many volunteers play in improving health is critical. The local knowledge of what barriers people are facing and what’s working provides health organisations like ours a much deeper understanding of what people and communities need to achieve better health outcomes,” Ms Mills said.

“Last week saw another successful LHAC Forum in Gundagai where many of these dedicated health volunteers came together to share ideas and information for how they can make a difference to health in their communities. LHAC across the region often instigate initiatives to improve health literacy and awareness and these can make an impact and improve health outcomes.

“On behalf of MPHN and our firsthealth Board I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our LHAC volunteers for their enthusiasm and so generously giving their time to be health advocates for their communities.”

Images from our recent LHAC Forum in Gundagai