Volunteer

The Trust has a large number of trained hospital volunteers who help in a variety of ways throughout the hospital, and they are placed where they are most needed and suited. This involves help in wards/clinics and offices, and 'Meet and greet volunteers' on the main reception desk to help patients and visitors to find their way to various destinations within the hospital.

The Trust greatly values the work of its volunteers and each year many give up their free time on a regular basis to help patients throughout the James Paget University Hospital. 

Who are our Volunteers?

Many of our volunteers are retired, either members of the public, members of staff or former patients, people wanting a career change or a break, or people with part-time work. Young people who are considering applying to study medicine, nursing and other professions allied to healthcare may find that spending time undertaking voluntary work at the Trust will help them decide on a future career.  Our support services also have volunteer opportunities for those that are interested in this field.

Example of Tasks and Duties

• Escorting outpatients to various departments/clinics
• Running errands and acting as a messenger service
• Assisting with general ward records, routine administration and ward information services including simple clerical procedures
• Providing reception, messenger and general services in out-patients departments
• Meeting patients, reading appointment cards and taking/directing to clinics/wards
• Talking with patients/relatives/visitors and helping on wards with simple tasks (not nursing)
• Clerical assistance in emergencies
• Assisting visitors who are disabled, frail or elderly
• Escorting patients from the wards to the hairdressing salon and back again
• Daily delivery of records to wards/ clinics/ departments
• Collecting refreshments for patients and others
• Collecting wheelchairs for visitors
• Telephone enquiries to assist ward clerks
• Issuing hearing aid batteries
• Delivering cards/mail to patients on wards
• Preparing patients' notes, packs, x-ray cards
• Collecting and delivering medical records to wards and clinics
• Cut rolls of paper for examination beds in accident and emergency and physiotherapy departments
• Mealtime Assistance Volunteers
• Any other duties of a similar nature as and when required in any department

We now have an exciting new role of Volunteer Driver - with a fully insured car, uniform and fuel provided - with our Volunteer Driver and Settle at Home service.

Driving could involve tasks such as transporting equipment to enable a discharge, transporting medications and transporting patients following a discharge.

Settle at Home volunteers are also required and in this role you will help some of our patients who may require assistance into their home. Tasks could include unpacking bags, making a cup of tea and making sure the house is warm.

To find out more about these new volunteer roles please contact our Volunteer Driver/Settle at Home Service Coordinator Victoria Allen - email Victoria.Allen@jpaget.nhs.uk or telephone 01493 453683.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the volunteer role in more detail, please contact:

Volunteer Coordinator John Gilligan on 01493 453546 or email volunteercoordinator@jpaget.nhs.uk

 Please be aware that volunteering and work experience are two different things:

· Volunteering is a long term commitment (a commitment of a minimum four hours a week for at least six months).
· Work experience is a short term (usually one week) placement of shadowing and observing.

Frequently asked questions