Helping people in their time of need
Our Friends of the Emergency Department (FED) and Hospital Friends volunteers provide comfort and support to patients and their families in hospital emergency departments, as well as other departments and smaller hospitals.

Making a difference - FED
In times of distress, people need more than treatment; they also need information and support.  Because emergency departments are always busy, staff often don't have time to give patients and their families the support and reassurance they're looking for. That's when St John volunteers involved with Friends of the Emergency Department can make a real difference.

Kate Hargraves interview with RNZ about FEDs: 

Helping to pass the time – Hospital Friends

When patients are in hospital for lengthy stays, having familiar faces around can make their stay happier and more comfortable. Hospital Friends provide someone to sit and talk to, to read with or to be a shoulder to lean on.

Throughout New Zealand
More than 800 FED and Hospital Friends volunteers nationwide give their time and care, so that people can have a hand to hold and someone to talk to when they really need it.

Enquire about joining Friends of the Emergency Department or Hospital Friends
If you’re interested in volunteer work with Friends of the Emergency Department or Hospital Friends, call St John toll free on 0800 785 646 or follow these links: 

• Northern Region
• Central Region
• Southern Region

For more information on the Friends of the Emergency Department
Download our printable brochure here>>