Stamford Health is thankful for the many volunteers that make a difference at the hospital every day. Our staff ensures that our volunteers are well-matched and well-recognized for their individual strengths and talents, with a fit for everyone — from teenagers to adults! Today, we're spotlighting Darcy Churchill-Joell, a high school student who volunteers in Stamford Hospital. We hope her story may inspire you to volunteer; you can learn more about our volunteer opportunities here.

Thank you for all the work you do for Stamford Health! Tell us about your volunteer work.

I’ve been volunteering at the hospital for a little over two years. I’m a senior in high school and I’ll be graduating in June. I would like to go into nursing so prior to joining Stamford Hospital, I was trying to find opportunities related to health care and learned about volunteering at the hospital. I was initially placed at the front desk, but now I’ve expanded my shifts to include working at the nurses’ station and with the dementia program.

What do you typically do on your shifts?

On days when I’m working at the front desk, I scan IDs, provide visitors instructions on how to get to locations in the hospital, and receive flower and food deliveries. I also assist patients with wheelchairs. At the front desk, you’re the first face people see so it’s important to be friendly and have good people skills.

When I’m working at the nurses’ station, I help the nurses with basic tasks like patient transport, preparing and cleaning rooms, writing out the surgical board, and more.

I support the dementia program on Fridays. I receive a printed list from the nurses and doctors of patients who have been approved to be visited. The hospital can be scary for these patients – through this program, Hearts and Minds, we try to provide the patients with someone to talk so they feel like they’re less alone.

I started a club at my school, Stamford High, to make flowers for patients out of bright tissue paper and pipe cleaners. The volunteers bring them to patients. They are always so happy to receive them and say things like, “Wow, these are so beautiful.” We started the club, The Flower Bank, last fall.

Why did you become a volunteer?

I live in Stamford so I was very familiar with the hospital. I was excited to learn that they accept volunteers that are younger teenagers; I started volunteering as a teenager. You must be 16 years old to apply. It was a relatively easy process to get started – it involved an application, interview, and in-person orientation.

What is your favorite part about volunteering at Stamford Health?

I love the community. If you walk down the hallway and see someone you’ve never seen before, they’ll look at you and smile. It’s really a positive community. I’ve met so many new people and it’s become like a home to me.

Do you have any advice for anyone interested in volunteering?

I would encourage anyone to take an opportunity to get involved. You’ll learn so many different skills. It’s a valuable experience no matter who you are or what you end up doing. It will be worthwhile.