Volunteers Provide Support in Hospitals

The time spent in the hospital is particularly difficult for children, who often experience anxiety and fear during treatments. The Nevetnikék Foundation aims to support the mental well-being of young patients and help them through these challenging periods. Volunteer helpers, who work with children up to the age of 18, offer various programs and activities that help reduce the stress caused by hospital life. The organization has been operating for many years and has significant experience in working with children.

Activities of the Nevetnikék Foundation

The activities of the Nevetnikék Foundation extend not only to children but also to families and healthcare staff. During their work, volunteers focus primarily on entertaining and providing emotional support to children, allowing them to divert their attention from their illness and the hospital environment. Through the programs, children meet each other, form friendships, and enjoy their time together, which aids in their healing process.

The Role of Volunteers in Hospitals

Volunteers from the Nevetnikék Foundation play a key role in improving children’s hospital experiences. The helpers carry out various tasks, including playful activities, crafts, as well as opportunities for making music together and playing board games. These activities are not only entertaining but also help reduce children’s anxiety. The goal of the volunteers is to create a safe and supportive environment in the hospital where children can freely express their feelings and fears.

Every month, the Nevetnikék Foundation works with hundreds of children during their time in the hospital. Volunteers are present not only during shorter visits but also in cases of longer stays. The bonds formed with the children strengthen trust and enable the helpers to effectively support them in their healing process. During the programs, development and education also play an important role, as the time spent in the hospital is not only about healing but also about learning.

Collaboration Between Helpers and Nurses

The Nevetnikék volunteers maintain close relationships with hospital nurses and parents as well. At the request of the nurses, the helpers can assist in promoting children’s fluid and food intake, especially when children refuse food or drink due to their illness. The playful approach is often more effective than traditional methods, as puppets and various entertaining tools help to engage children out of difficult situations.

Support for adult patients is currently on hold within the program, but the Nevetnikék Foundation plans to expand its activities to adult wards in the future. There is also a need for extra helping hands for chronic patients, especially during long-term care. The foundation’s leadership is continuously working to find new resources to expand the programs and hopes to return to adult patients soon.

Opportunities and Benefits of Volunteering

The Nevetnikék Foundation welcomes applications from new volunteers who wish to participate in supporting children. Local coordinators and experienced program leaders provide assistance to applicants to prepare them for hospital visits and activities. During the training, applicants can learn not only about the conduct of the activities but also about child psychology and anxiety management.

The programs take place weekly or bi-weekly, and qualified volunteers offer ongoing training and case discussions for participants. Volunteering provides an opportunity for individuals to directly contribute to improving the lives of children and gain valuable experience in social work. The foundation’s goal is to provide the widest possible support to young patients, and every new volunteer’s contribution can help achieve this goal.