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Volunteering
Volunteering at our hospitals
Our volunteers truly are a remarkable team of people who make a huge contribution to all aspects of hospital life, enhancing the patients, visitor, carer and staff experience.
The Trust has a fully open approach to volunteer recruitment and welcomes applications from all walks of life – the only requirement for applying to be a volunteer is that people must be aged 18 years or over.
It is not just our patients and staff who benefit, volunteering is a rewarding experience that can transform your life by providing self-confidence, new skills and the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping other people.
We ask for a minimum commitment of 2-4 hours preferably per week, for a minimum period of six months.
The process of becoming a volunteer - click here for more information
Please see below the Expression of Interest form, once completed please send it to: esth.voluntary.services@nhs.net
After submitting the expression of interest, you will be invited to attend an informal interview, to discuss the volunteering roles you have shown an interest in.
If successful, you will be sent a link to our onboarding portal: the application form (including two referees); occupational health form and online mandatory training.
During the following seven days, a meeting will be arranged with the voluntary services manager to see your identification to enable a DBS to be processed.
Once we have received the references, occupational health clearance, DBS clearance and you have completed the mandatory training, you will be invited to come to the hospital to process your identification card, you will be shown to the area/ward where you will be volunteering, you will sign the volunteering agreement, and your start date will be chosen.
Expression of Interest form; Expression of interest for Volunteering
Work Experience :
Volunteering is not the same as work experience or work placements; at our Trust we have a dedicated team who organise work experience please follow the link to the work experience page on our website:
Volunteer roles available
Ward-based volunteering remains a priority for the Voluntary Services Department, as we are keen to support the need for assistance at mealtimes, increased socialisation and activities on the wards.
We also have several volunteer roles across the Trust focusing on improving the patient and visitors experience.
All roles will require a DBS check
The following roles are currently available.
· Emergency Department Volunteer
· Volunteer Wayfinder
If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact the Voluntary Services Department by emailing; esth.voluntary.services@nhs.net .
CLICK THE HEADINGS BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EACH ROLE
Emergency Department Volunteer
Key knowledge/skills/experience
- Appreciation of equality and diversity and the need to treat each patient with respect
- To have Patience and a caring and compassionate approach
- A polite, friendly manner when dealing with people
- Professionalism and emotional maturity
- Strong communication and customer care skills
About this role: As a volunteer you will be providing both the practical and emotional support to patients while they are being assessed in the emergency department.
You will play a vital role in providing support to Emergency Department staff to ensure a comfortable environment is provided for all patients and visitors.
Core tasks (under guidance of Nurse in Charge)
· Helping patients to understand how the department works
· Spending time with patients who are on their own
· Serving refreshments where appropriate
· Greet and signpost visitors to the relevant area or member of staff
· Helping patients contact relatives/friends/carers and explaining how they can get to the Emergency Department
· Assist patients and visitors with completion of the Friends and Family Test
· Ensure that all information on display is current and relevant
· Replenish where appropriate; gloves, aprons, blankets etc
· Develop an awareness of hospital layout
· Helping to keep the waiting areas always tidy
Volunteer Wayfinder (Epsom only)
Key knowledge/skills/experience
· Patience, caring and compassionate approach
· A polite, friendly manner when dealing with people
· Strong communication and customer service skills
· Willingness to develop an awareness of the layout of and services offered by the hospital.
About this role: As a volunteer you will be helping patients, visitors and staff to navigate the hospital, helping patients to ensure they reach their appointments on time. You will also be helping to improve the patience experience by providing a friendly warm welcome to patients and visitors.
Core Tasks:
· Greet all visitors to the hospital in a polite and friendly manner
· Signpost patients and/or visitors to the relevant area or member of staff
· Where appropriate, escort patients and/or visitors to the relevant department
· Engage with patients and/or visitors around the hospital (e.g. by saying ‘hello’, or asking ‘may I offer you any assistance?’, ‘are you okay there?’)
· Be aware of patients and/or visitors who appear to be lost or confused, approaching them to offer help in finding their way
· Develop an awareness of information and services available in the hospital to effectively signpost patients and/or visitors
· Report any issues with signage and/or information to the Voluntary Services Department Manager.
· Assist in the evacuation of patients and visitors in the event of a Fire Emergency
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