COVID-19, amazing to think a virus can literally stop the world and us in our tracks. But that is exactly what happened in 2020 and is continuing to happen in a large portion of the world.

We as South Australians, have been fortunate, and whilst experiencing restrictions from March to June 2020, we still have had the opportunity to come together with our family and friends, get out in the fresh air and for some of us enjoy retail therapy.

Late in March 2020, together with NAHLN Executive and in the best interest of each person’s wellbeing, we asked volunteers to stay at home and not continue with their volunteering duties. For some in the early stages it was very difficult as volunteering at the Lyell McEwin or Modbury Hospital was a major part of their day to day lives. Fortunately we were able to resume volunteer roles mid year, albeit restricted, at both Hospitals but only for non patient contact roles.

During April to June, the staff continued to work primarily from home keeping in contact with volunteers. The time also provided the opportunity to catch up on things that often were placed on the back burner due to time restrictions. It also provided the opportunity for the team to look at the work the Association does for the community and explore other ways in which we can support the community whilst planning for the future.

During this time also we vacated our offices adjacent to the Haydown Road entrance, initially for the Lyell McEwin Tele Health Team and later for the setup of the COVID-19 Testing Clinic. It will be a considerable time until we return to the offices however we have set up an office in the Playspace and been welcomed by Muna Piendi who have provided a room with three workstations.

The Association has continued to work in partnership with the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network(NALHN) and the local community exploring and developing new initiatives that add value to patient care. Key programs have included the Bicultural Support Program, Comfort Care Program and Volunteer Wheelchair Program at both Lyell McEwin and Modbury Hospitals. We also worked with the NALHN Executive to finalise the Volunteer Engagement Strategy that will become the cornerstone for the ways volunteers will be engaged, supported and valued by NALHN and the Association.

Financially, the year has been challenging particularly in relation to the areas where the Association relies on generating its own income. The Gift Shop and Market Place both closed at the end of March 2020 and did not trade up to the 30th June 2020. We reopened the Gift Shop early in July with COVID-19 restrictions in place and on a part time basis. The Market Place will not reopen until the COVID-19 Clinic moves from the Haydown Road entrance and will result in a loss of up to $40,000 in annual income. Thrifty V also closed its Operation Centre and three shops during the March to June 2020 period, however the annual turnover remained at 86% of the previous year. Our other income generating areas also suffered due to limited community BBQs, inability to run Hospital Raffles and reduction in vending sales. Fortunately the Association is eligible for a number of the Government COVID-19 Grants including Jobkeeper, which enabled the modest surplus for 2019-2020 financial year.

We are very fortunate to have the Hospital Research Foundation as our key financial supporter and value their ongoing support. It has enabled us to provide across NALHN (Lyell McEwin Hospital, Modbury Hospital, Club 84, Northgate and James Nash House) the best Hospital based volunteer service in the country

The Association is also thankful for the support we receive from NALHN in regards to the issues we have raised and how they have been dealt with in collaboration with the Association and their financial contribution to the service.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the Association staff who would agree it has been a challenging year and one that they have not experienced before.

During COVID-19 they have always had the wellbeing of the volunteers, staff and patients of the Hospitals as the key driver for performing their duties and ensuring information when received by the Association was passed on in a timely manner. Similarly Wendy and the Thrifty V team and Peter and the NRC team continued to support their volunteers, clients and customers during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Over the next financial year we will start to rebuild our volunteer service as COVID-19 restrictions begin to relax. I know for many of you this is very positive news and I also know that sentiment is also shared by the staff, patients, clients and customers to whom, through your volunteering, bring such joy and comfort.

Peter Laintoll

Chief Executive Officer

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