Akilesh Rathinam

Hi everyone, we’re Simran and Akilesh and we’re running to be your Play Team Chairs for next year!

Playteam was the way we got initially joined Paediatric’s society and since then we have had a lot of experience which would prepare us for this role. We have a combined 4 years of experience as Playteam volunteers and leaders alongside having been in the Playteam stream of committee this year as volunteer and play coordinator respectively.

Outside of this, we have experience in coordinating volunteering initiatives through multiple years on committee for Teddy Bear Hospital including equipment management and organising weekly visits.

We really want to continue to develop Playteam and through our experience within this stream, the following are some of the main points we want to implement:

• Uncertainty in leader’s role and what wards and equipment can be used ---> Stronger written guideline document that are easy to refer to eg. Linked on WhatsApp chats

• Getting stuck outside Great Western ---> Working with Tina and St Mary’s to get an access card to the ward for leaders

• Delays in shirt supply disrupting scheduling ---> starting as early as April in ordering shirts and potentially finding a new supplier

• Ambiguity in remit of Play and Volunteer coordinator roles including overlap with Playteam Chair ---> Meet early on and clearly outline what is expected of each member of the stream

• Reduced attendance later in the year ---> Termly award eg. Gift card and certificate for volunteer who attends the most sessions