IT’S easy to take the volunteers for granted. They work mostly without fanfare, playing their part in the life of their communities. Volunteers Week (June 1 to 7) gave an opportunity to learn about the contributions of those who choose to work for no monetary reward.

A hospital is an ideal place for anyone willing and able to help. At the Royal Cornwall Hospital, more than 200 volunteers contribute to the smooth running of the organisation, filling many ancillary roles that overworked staff are unable to perform.

A hospital stay does not involve only medical attention. A mobile shop and library for outpatients and visitors are just two of the many services that would be missed.

Another addition to patients' wellbeing is CHBN, the volunteer-run hospital radio station for Truro and Cornwall. Its studio is in Treliske’s Tower Block, and on Thursday, June 4, an open day for staff and visitors offered a chance to meet the presenters and see state-of-the-art broadcasting equipment.

As a local community radio station, CHBN has no constraints imposed by powerful advertisers or politics. Music programmes cover all genres, and our hospital radio remit means we must emphasise matters of health and wellbeing.

Our Community Help Show includes a 10-minute exercise routine every weekday morning, and Access Cornwall gives detailed information to those with physical or mental health issues. There’s a weekly broadcast of the Cornwall Talking Newspaper, and Care for a Song plays requests and dedications for Cornwall's care home residents (you can find the weekly schedule at www.chbnradio.org).

A voluntary role can give retirees an interest; students can acquire new skills and work experience, always useful for the CV. Most of all, studies have proved volunteering is good for our health - mental, physical and social.

So if you have time, why not think about volunteering? You may be pleasantly surprised.