Volunteering in NHS Scotland

I have been working on the Volunteering in NHSScotland Programme, hosted by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, for almost three years now.

Our programme is staffed by myself and my manager, Alan Bigham. We support NHS Boards to ensure their volunteer programmes are safe, effective and sustainable.  We are fortunate to travel around Scotland to meet dedicated and outstanding NHS staff, who manage volunteers, and the volunteers themselves.

I have been out and about collecting stories and was captivated by the story I am sharing here.   It charts the decline, and rise, of the mental health of a man.  We are all too familiar with stories like David’s that sometimes don’t end in such a positive outcome.  I was very grateful to David for his openness to discuss issues such as depression.  I know the more we talk openly about these issues, the more the stigma is reduced.  After all, our mental health should be judged no differently to physical health – or perhaps not judged at all?

Here is David’s story:

Case Study – David Johnstone

NHS Fife - Kelty Allotment Volunteer

Volunteering can have an immense effect on an individual’s health and wellbeing. Mental health, specifically, is something that volunteers find can be greatly improved by giving up their free time to do various roles within NHS Scotland.

David Johnstone is one such individual, and I met with him for a chat about his role as an allotment volunteer, in the small mining village of Kelty in Fife.

I met David with Josie Mitchell, Volunteer Manager, and Peter Sinclair, Horticultural Therapist, who both work for NHS Fife, and who have supported him on his journey to wellness.

David told me he had enjoyed a job as a carer for many years, working with youth groups and young people, but things changed for him. He says: “I was subjected to bullying and harassment in my workplace, and it had a hugely detrimental effect on my health and wellbeing, particularly my mental health.”  The workplace situation took many years to resolve, and as a result, David’s mental health took a decline and he was referred to mental health services in Fife.

David says: “I became very withdrawn and wanted to be alone. I blamed the world for my problems and could not see a way out of my depression.” 

David had previously taken some interest in gardening and had some basic skills.  Peter supported David and suggested he start volunteering at the NHS allotment in Kelty on a Friday afternoon. 

I asked David how Peter has helped him and he said: “Peter helps me massively and has taught me so much about gardening. My health isn’t what it used to be, but Peter allows me to make a difference where I can. I now have my own polytunnel, which makes it easier for me to grow fruit and vegetables.”

Josie worked hard to get David through all the paperwork and checks to allow him to come on board as a volunteer. 

David has now been volunteering for 10 years. I asked him what difference volunteering has made to his life and he told me: “It has saved me. I was so withdrawn and would just be sitting in my house alone if it wasn’t for this allotment. I forget all my troubles when I’m here and it has given me freedom.”

Some of David’s fruit and vegetables from the allotment, are given to the acute wards within NHS Fife. The staff use them to make smoothies for the patients. The volunteer group also holds an annual barbeque for staff, volunteers and patients. David says they are improving their burger grilling skills as the years go on. It seems to be a real full circle situation for David, and testament to his commitment to and love of this piece of land in the picturesque hills of Fife. 

Volunteers Week Scot runs from 1 - 7 June 2019 - find out more!