EMHS Wool-lar Aboriginal Volunteer Program welcomes two new members
22/06/2022
In a first for EMHS, the Aboriginal Health Strategy team took a further step in ensuring EMHS meets its commitment to closing the healthcare gap for Aboriginal peoples with the launch of the EMHS Wool-lar Aboriginal Volunteer Program Pilot in November 2021.
Wool-lar is a Whadjuk Noongar word meaning “celebration” or “happy times” and is reflective of the aim of the program.
The addition of two new volunteers, Bernard Riley and Noongar Elder Athol Michael, brings the total number of volunteers to 14. The two newest members joined with plenty of ideas and suggestions about how we can improve the health of our Aboriginal patients in the future.
“Growing up and looking at our people, struggling with their health needs and on the streets, I’m now in a position to be able to help our people as an elder to support and engage in the health service to live a much more better quality of life,” said Athol.
For Barnard, he was motivated to become a volunteer to learn more about the health services.
“I joined to get experience and an understanding in the hospital field and how the hospital runs to give me more of an idea on how I can help our black fellas coming through the door for their health needs,” he said.
Volunteer Coordinator Maxine Nicholson-Turner explained that the primary goal in establishing the program was to provide cultural support to Aboriginal patients while in hospital in a volunteer capacity.
“It is all part of supporting the overall health experience and wellbeing of Aboriginal patients,” Maxine explained.
“Isolation for Aboriginal patients may impact on their recovery, increase anxiety, and add to one’s sense of cultural and family disconnection.”
Athol said he wants to do that by finding resources and health contacts through volunteering to help his community access the right services - all with the support of the Aboriginal Health Strategy team.
“Im looking forward to making unity, making connections, making sure everyone understands everyone’s journey, where they’ve been, where they are now,” he said.
Bernard echoes Athol’s sentiments and wants to make sure he finds the right support services for aboriginal patients.
“I’m looking to gain experience in engaging more aboriginal people to yarn with them to find out the health issues they go through,” he said.
Athol and Bernard’s advice to anyone thinking about joining the Wool-lar Aboriginal Volunteer Program? Do it!
“Because there will only be good things to come out of volunteering your time to our people,” said Athol.
“We have all the right people standing by us so we cannot faulter, and it’s a great, positive opportunity to help our people during their health journey.”
“We need a lot more Aboriginal people volunteering, especially elders in the health industry, to ensure we are all welcomed and connected to EMHS hospitals. Maxine and Robert are great supports.”
The Wool-lar Program will continue to seek new volunteers and expand throughout EMHS sites.
If you, or someone you know, are interested in joining this fantastic program please fill out this Expression of Interest Form and email it to the EMHS Aboriginal Volunteer team at EMHS.AboriginalVolunteers@health.wa.gov.au.
More details about the program, plus the EOI form, can be found on the EMHS Website.
Last Updated:
22/06/2022