VOLUNTEERS are desperately needed to help keep a hospital gift shop and tea bar running smoothly.

The services at Warrington Hospital are run by the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) which is desperate need for new people to sign up.

Shop assistants are needed for the gift store near the main entrance of the hospital and to make teas and coffees at the bar in the outpatients department.

Christine Benson, a senior service assistant, said: “We don’t really know why we are struggling to find people at the moment.

“People are coming in and asking about it and picking up applications but never coming back.

“I have been here for two years and this is the lowest number of volunteers I have seen."

The service has recently been rebranded from the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service so Christine would like to see more men signing up as well as women.

“We have two men who help us with the deliveries but it would be nice to have a few more,” Christine said.

“Volunteering looks great on your CV and they get experience of using the till, handling money and customer service.”

The volunteers are needed to cover shifts from 9.30am until 1pm, from 1pm until 4.30pm and from 4.30pm until 8pm in the shop from Monday to Friday and from 2pm until 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

The tea bar needs volunteers from 9am until 1pm and from 1pm until 4pm from Monday to Friday.

Potential volunteers will need to fill out an application form and provide a passport, identification and two references as well as have a quick informal interview.

Background checks will only be needed for people if they go on to the wards to help with the tea bars trolley service.

“The trolley service used to be everyday but we can’t do it on Fridays anymore because we are too short staffed,” said Christine.

“It is quite important for people who don’t get visitors and can’t get to the shop as we sell crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks.”

Volunteers travel and parking expenses will be covered.

To sign up or to find out more, call Christine or her colleague Brenda O'Shea on 662141 or pop into the gift shop.