Up to 1,600 volunteers across regional South Australia are being thanked during National Volunteer Week for their hard work and ongoing support of country health services.
Country Health SA (CHSA) Interim Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Graham, said she is grateful for the commitment of volunteers who continuously give up their time to assist at hospitals, community health sites and aged care across the state.
"It is delightful to see members of the community getting involved with their local health services and providing extra support to those who need it most," Ms Graham said.
"Volunteers not only offer a helping hand to patients but also their loved ones and staff by assisting with a range of services, from running the local kiosk to driving people to medical appointments and providing companionship to aged care residents.
"I appreciate the time and effort that each and every volunteer gives and we are lucky to have so many generous people in our towns and communities.
"Anyone can become a volunteer within the health system and I would invite more people to consider volunteering at our wonderful health services."
CHSA Project Lead Volunteers, Andrew Lambeth, said volunteers come from many walks of life and there are up to 1,600 people, young and old, volunteering as part of locally-run programs.
"The Barossa Hills and Fleurieu region, which incorporates the Barossa, Gawler, Mount Barker, Victor Harbor and Kangaroo Island, has 480 volunteers, including over 130 at Gawler Health Service," Mr Lambeth said.
"In the Eyre and Far North region, which includes Coober Pedy and Ceduna, there are over 50 volunteers.
"The Riverland Mallee Coorong region, which includes Berri and Murray Bridge, has over 300 volunteers, while the South East region, which includes Mount Gambier, Millicent, Bordertown and Naracoorte, has approximately 420 volunteers.
"The Flinders and Upper North region has 120 volunteers across the sites, while the Yorke and Northern region has approximately 160 volunteers across all of the sites, including Jamestown, Port Broughton and Port Pirie."
