VOLUNTEERS who support hospital services are urging others to come forward and do their bit to help.

The call from people helping out at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust comes as national figures show the number of hours spend volunteering has fallen by 15 per cent over a ten-year period.

The hospital trust has bucked the trend, showing an increase in volunteering hours by more than eight per cent in the last nine months.

It asked some of its helpers what triggered them to give up their time and a variety of reasons emerged.

This included getting help to find a job, gaining experience and confidence, staying active, giving something back and making a difference to someone’s life.

Asanti Ahmed, 19, is studying for a diploma in health and social care and volunteers on the Baily Ward at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

She said: “I’ve always wanted to be a nurse and volunteering has helped me to find out what it’s like.

“We do things at college but it’s different when you’re actually there on the ward talking to patients.

“I help them prepare for their meals and get them what they need.

“If they want to have a chat, I sit and talk to them. It has given me so much confidence.

“When you volunteer, you can make a real difference. It’s good to see people smile.

“Everyone has a busy life but if you’re passionate about something and you want to help you can always find an hour to do something for others.”

Adam Rea has his sights firmly set on a career as a photographer.

The 25-year-old is volunteering in the trust’s media centre helping to move and set up video equipment, assisting with filming, watching the editing and doing some of the paperwork.

He said: “I’ve been studying photography for some years now and I’m hoping that volunteering will help me get a job in the future.

“I’ve been helping while we make films about patients and staff and the work that’s going on at the hospital.

“Volunteering helps you to get out and about and meet people and you never know what it might lead to. It’s good to be gaining experience that will help me in my career.”

Trust voluntary services manager Julie Wiseman said: “Our wonderful volunteers make a huge difference for patients and staff.

“Our ambition is to have volunteers on every ward every day, so we are always keen to hear from people who’d like to come and volunteer with us.”