“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop

Why volunteer with us?

We are a not-for-profit private hospital with a friendly team that can offer great opportunities for volunteers

By volunteering at Burnside you can:

• Meet new people;

• Learn new skills;

• Use your life experiences and skills to support the community;

• Enjoy social interaction;

• Help & support people;

• Be part of a happy and friendly team; and

• Be an active member of the community.

Roles of volunteers

The roles of volunteers vary and include:

• Courtesy desk – welcoming patients & visitors & escorting them to their appointment or ward;

• Delivering patients’ flowers to the wards;

• Clerical/administrative assistance in a number of units– including photocopying, collating charts making up packs for patients and filing throughout the hospital; and

• Café Otto – assisting with the preparation and serving of coffee and snacks.

Burnside Hospital is very fortunate to have the wonderful support of a large team of volunteers providing service, support, comfort and good cheer for patients, visitors and staff. The volunteers serve as important links to our community, and also make the Hospital community more complete.
Volunteers are an integral part of the hospital, their value extending beyond the many hours they give to the Hospital.

The History of Volunteering at Burnside Hospital

Volunteering at Burnside originated from the Women’s Auxiliary, established in 1946 to support the Hospital through participation in fundraising events, the comforting of patients and numerous other tasks to benefit the hospital. The Auxiliary went into recess in 1996 after celebrating its 50th anniversary due to the retirement of many of its members, but was revived to its present format in 2001.

Volunteering at Burnside Hospital Today

Today there are more than 70 men and women who regularly volunteer at Burnside in a number of roles Annually they give in excess of 7000 hours of their time to the Hospital. Many aspects of the service have changed to keep up with the times, and volunteers come from all walks of life. However volunteers continue to provide a vital role to complement the quality care provided by our health care professionals through providing human warmth and friendship and time to our patients, visitors and staff.

What is required?

• A commitment to donate your time and enthusiasm on an ongoing or casual basis to assisting patients, visitors & staff at Burnside Hospital.

• All volunteers undergo a recruitment and selection process and are required to provide two (2) character referees. During the interview we will discuss current volunteer vacancies and your preferred role(s).

• All volunteers to undertake orientation to the Hospital and on site training.

• A willingness to participate in a team.

• Be reliable.

If you would like to be part of this wonderful service, providing high quality, friendly and supportive care then please Contact us directing your enquiry to Patricia Witham the Volunteer Coordinator.

Provide your name & contact details, we will contact you and provide you with an application form & arrange an interview.
Alternatively you may print the attached expression of interest form and forward to Patricia Witham, Volunteer Co-ordinator, C/- The Burnside War Memorial Hospital, 120 Kensington Road, Toorak Gardens SA 5065 or contact Patricia via email to vcoordinator@burnsidehospital.asn.au

Vacancies currently available:

Café Otto-  warm friendly atmosphere