The first day volunteering, you’ll worry about saying the wrong thing. Patients mostly just want someone to say anything.

The worry is about you more than about them, since you are rehearsing sentences so you will not look clumsy. Meanwhile the person in the bed has had a very quiet day, and what is missing from it is company rather than the correct words. Being a bit awkward and present beats being polished and absent. Nobody in that room is grading your phrasing.

Start with something ordinary: the weather, the view, what you are studying, whether they want the curtain open. Ask a question and then let them talk, because most of the work is listening. If something does come out clumsy, say sorry once and carry on.