More information about volunteering
Donating your time makes a massive difference to the Hospital, to our patients and their visitors, to our staff and the local community. It will also make a difference to your life. Volunteering in a busy environment like a hospital can be exciting and very rewarding, and we want you to enjoy being part of our team. We have volunteers in our acute hospital, our community hospitals and those that support people in their own homes. We will support you to make sure you are properly trained and have a named point of contact while you are with us.
You’ll make new friends and meet and work with people from all walks of life, helping you to learn new skills and gain new experience. Our volunteers tell us that volunteering helps them grow in confidence and, if you are looking for work, volunteering is a great way to show potential employers that you are reliable, as well as committed to work and training.
Best of all, volunteering improves your health. Studies have concluded that people who volunteer live longer, have better brain function and lower rates of depression than those who don’t.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone become a volunteer?
Our volunteers come from a range of different ages and backgrounds, although you need to be a minimum of 16 years of age. No previous experience is necessary, but you will need to be reliable, a good listener, and have an awareness of the individual needs of patients, especially around issues of confidentiality. As long as there is a suitable vacancy, we will always try to arrange your placement so that it matches your particular skills and interests.
Can you arrange work experience/student placements?
Volunteer Services do not organise work experience or student placements as these are managed by another department. For more information, please see our Work Experience page.
Is there a minimum age limit? Am I too old to apply?
At the moment we are unable to have volunteers under the age of 16. There is no upper age limit.
Can I claim travel expenses?
Yes, we refund travel expenses provided you submit proof such as tickets for public transport. We can also refund mileage up to 40 miles for over 4 hours’ volunteering and up to 20 miles for less than 4 hours’ volunteering.
Will I get training?
Yes, you will be trained and inducted into your role before you start. All our volunteers must complete our Induction and keep up-to-date with training. Once you are in role there are ongoing opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and experience.
How long is the recruitment process?
The process can take up to two months before you start your volunteer role. The process depends on factors such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, obtaining references, Occupational Health screening, training dates and role availability. Sometimes referees are a bit slow to respond which delays the process, so if you can help speed this up, it would be appreciated.
I am only available at evening or weekends – can I still volunteer?
Yes, we have many volunteers who continue to improve patient experience out of normal office hours. With less staff around wards can feel lonelier at these times and our patients still need befriending, entertaining and supporting at evening mealtime (from 5pm) and at weekends. The commitment to being a Hospital Radio volunteer is one evening a week. With our Emergency Department often at its busiest of an evening and weekend, this is a great time to volunteer there.
Can I only volunteer over the summer holidays/Christmas period?
We ask that you are able to commit to two to three hours per week for a minimum of six months for any volunteering role. This is because of the many checks that form part of the recruitment process and to allow time for staff to get to know you and for you to feel part of a team. However, there are volunteering options outside the NHS which may be more suitable.