Annual salary: Voluntary Opportunity
Ward Volunteer Role Description
Our Ward Volunteers play an important role in creating a warm, welcoming environment for patients and visitors. This role offers the chance to make a real difference through practical, non-clinical support both in patient rooms and around the ward.
Please note: a standard DBS check is required for Ward Volunteers.
When am I needed?
Ward Volunteers provide support to the Inpatient Unit 7 days a week from 8am-7pm over 4 shifts per day on a weekly or fortnightly rota:
- Breakfast: 8:00am – 9:30am,
- Morning: 9:30am -1:00pm,
- Afternoon: 1:00pm – 4:00pm,
- Evening: 4:00pm – 7:00pm.
There will be the opportunity to pick up extra shifts to cover gaps as required.
What will I be doing?
As a valued member of the Inpatient Unit Team, you will:
- Spend time with patients, as guided by ward staff. This could include chatting, reading, playing a game, doing a simple craft activity or sitting with them.
- Help the ward run smoothly by being a friendly point of contact for patients and visitors, taking messages, restocking essential items and letting staff know about low stock or damaged equipment.
- Preparing hot and cold drinks for patients and visitors and keeping the visitors’ drinks bay tidy and well stocked.
- Help at mealtimes and with simple tasks, such as wiping tables, offering hand wipes, taking meals to patients, clearing away afterwards and wiping surfaces down.
Please note that the role does NOT include any personal care or clinical tasks.
What do I need to wear?
We will provide you with a polo shirt and apron to wear during your shift. We would prefer you to wear dark trousers. Please wear flat comfortable shoes (no flipflops, open-toed sandals or heels for safety).
To minimise the risk of infection for patients we ask you get changed into your Ward Volunteer uniform at the Hospice. Please remove any watches, bracelets, rings (except a plain band) and keep your nails short with no polish or false nails. If you have long hair, please tie that back too.
What skills and qualities will I need?
You don’t need previous experience — just a willingness to help and a kind, positive attitude. Our volunteers are:
- Kind, friendly and respectful towards patients, visitors and staff
- Reliable, calm and able to work independently once trained
- Able to follow guidance on keeping patients safe, maintaining hygiene and respecting confidentiality
- Good at communicating, willing to ask for help and keen to support the ward team
How will I benefit from being a Ward Volunteer?
Volunteering as a Ward Volunteer is a rewarding way to:
- Support patient experience and wellbeing
- Gain experience working within a clinical environment
- Develop teamwork and communication skills
- Make a meaningful contribution to our community
Support and Supervision
The Inpatient Unit team will provide you with full training and liaise closely with you over all aspects of your role. Volunteer Champions on the ward will be your main point of contact and provide day-to-day and ongoing support.
The Volunteer Services Team will help guide you through the application and induction process and be your point of contact for general enquiries about volunteering.
Training
Before starting in the role, volunteers will need to complete mandatory training through our online learning platform. You will also receive any role-specific training you need as part of your induction.
Further training may be provided when needed including refresher training.
For all volunteering enquiries please contact the Volunteer Services Team on 01904 777765 or email [email protected]
