A hospital is seeking health and beauty professionals to volunteer and help pamper patients during worrying times.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is reaching out to the local community to ask for their “invaluable” support as volunteers.

Volunteers would mostly be dealing with patients staying The Princess Alexandra Hospital’s ward areas, in Hamstell Road, Harlow.

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Voluntary services manager Phillipa Haslehurst said: “We are currently looking for a qualified hairdresser and barbers with experience of cutting and styling, beauty therapists, and chiropodists, who can provide much needed respite and pampering on a voluntary basis.”

Professionals offering other services are also asked to get in touch if they think it would be beneficial for patients.

Mrs Haslehurst added: “We are committed to putting our patients at the heart of everything that we do.

“We know that staying in hospital can be a worrying time for many of our patients and volunteers play a crucial role in helping them throughout this time.

“It’s important that you are able to relate and respond to people well, are able to understand the needs of others and are enthusiastic about making a difference.”

The trust has said volunteers would ideally be able to give up three to four hours a month or more between 8am and 6pm.

However, it added that “you can volunteer as often or as little as you like, we are grateful for any time that you can give.”

Training and guidance about providing services to patients, including those who have a learning disability, or people who are living with dementia will be offered.

The trust confirmed that appropriate training and statutory checks will be followed before volunteers can begin providing services at the hospital.

Anyone interested can email phillipa.haslehurst@nhs.net or call 01279 97 8786 to find out more information or offer health and beauty services for the trust’s patients.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust compassionate care, known as Namaste, voluntary services team was nominated for a Helpforce Champions Award, in the Outstanding Team of the Year category last month.

The team had supported 1,974 patients since starting the project in December last year.