Nathan Bailey, 18, from Woodhall Park, is studying health and social care at New College.

He has been a GWH volunteer for a year and hopes to become a paramedic.

"I work in the Accident and Emergency department on Monday afternoons and it's given me a great insight.

"Our job is to support the doctors and nurses in their jobs.

"Simple tasks such as comforting patients and keeping them informed until their relatives arrive make a big difference.

"A lot of people think all hospital volunteers are old but they're not. A wide range of people work at Great Western Hospital and I thoroughly recommend it."

l GREAT Western Hospital is about to launch a free magazine called Your Guide To Volunteering. Copies will be available from libraries, job centres and in waiting areas at the hospital.