Torrae Wainwright spends his school vacations Candy Striping at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Torrae is 16 years old and joined the Candy Striping programme at the age of 14.The Candy Striping programme is part of the Hospitals Auxiliary of Bermuda’s [HAB] range of services to the community. If you are 14 years or older, and would like to volunteer your time to a fantastic cause, become a Candy Striper. You really can help make a difference to someone’s life.Candy Stripers are students, both male and female, who volunteer their time throughout their school holidays. The purpose of the Candy Striping programme is to provide an opportunity for young people to be exposed to career options in healthcare professions, whilst volunteering their time. Candy Stripers develop a sense of confidence and self-worth with the guidance, direction and mentoring provided by professionals at Bermuda’s hospital.Torrae was introduced to Candy Striping by his mother, who signed him up at an early age. At the start of the programme, Torrae felt very awkward, as he was surrounded by girls and really was not keen on the required red and white uniform. He admits that even today, he sometimes gets a bit anxious about wearing it, but has learned that it’s all part of the job and wears it with pride. Torrae would really like to encourage more males to join the programme, as ultimately the most important thing he has learned as a Candy Striper is to think of others less fortunate than him. Torrae’s motto is “try to give back as much as possible and never take anything for granted. Live for the present because tomorrow is not promised to anybody”.The Candy Striping programme has been in existence since 1964 and is overseen by the HAB. The Women’s Hospital Auxiliary [later changed to the HAB] was founded in 1953, at a time when Government grants to the Hospital were generally used to cover day to day operating costs. The Hospital Board of Trustees decided to recruit women volunteers to help maintain the high standards of efficiency required. The original purpose of the Women’s Hospital Auxiliary, a registered charity, was to promote interest in and to work voluntarily for the hospital under the jurisdiction of the Hospital Board of Trustees [and later the Bermuda Hospitals Board].Today there are both male and female Candy Stripers in the programme. Candy Stripers volunteer for the HAB’s three fundraising outlets, the Hospitality Cart, the Pink Café and the Gift Shop. They also serve on the wards and at the Fracture Clinic, Information Desk, Agape House, the Chapel, Dialysis Unit, Admissions, Pharmacy and other important hospital departments.Torrae’s favourite area to work is the Pink Café, especially around lunch hour. Initially, Torrae had an interest in a medical career, but after the second year of Candy Striping, he realised he had other passions and strengths and now prefers a career in either culinary, athletics, music, theatre, movie production or the world of economics.Torrae thoroughly enjoys the Candy Striping experience and feels good about helping other people without expecting anything in return. “Plus the girls there are so funny it’s a great environment to be in,” he stated.The only department Torrae has not worked in is the maternity ward. “I don’t think they want boys working in the maternity ward and to be honest, neither do I!” he declared.The most valuable lessons that Torrae has learned as a Candy Striper are patience and courtesy. “Working with hospital patients is not a job for people with a generally low tolerance,” he acknowledged, “and I really have learned that people work well with you when you are understanding and kind.”Candy Stripers agree to volunteer for a minimum of two years and they are evaluated prior to receiving an invitation to join as an official Candy Striper. They are provided with uniforms which are clearly recognisable and distinguish the Candy Stripers from other volunteer groups.Additionally, Candy Striping provides an opportunity to earn financial assistance in the form of an HAB scholarship for further education in the medical field. Scholarships worth up to $5,000 per year are presented to the one senior Striper, and many selected students have used these funds to assist with the cost of university fees. There are several nurses and also one doctor presently employed at KEMH whose first encounter in the medical field began as Candy Stripers.Candy Striping is a fantastic opportunity to meet new and interesting people, from patients in the hospital to doctors and nurses, along with your fellow Candy Stripers. However, one of the most important rules of Candy Striping is confidentiality. Stripers must be aware of the fact that anything witnessed or overheard in the hospital must stay in the hospital, as it is private and confidential.If you feel that you would like to volunteer your time as a Candy Striper, you can contact Nancy Oughton, HAB General Manager, at the Hospital on 236-2488.