About this role
Job summary
Volunteering with us is a chance to make a genuine difference in the lives of our patients and families. By giving your time, you will help improve care, support our staff, and make every day brighter for those who need it most.
Why volunteer?
Help patients and visitors feel welcome and supported.
Give back to your community and the NHS.
Join a warm, friendly team of volunteers.
About the roles:
All roles are based Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Volunteer opportunities:
Ward Volunteer
Response Volunteer
Your commitment:
Just 3-4 hours a week can make a real impact. A regular commitment is required. If you cannot commit to weekly volunteering please look out for future opportunities.
Main duties of the job Main Duties of the Roles
Ward Volunteer
Spend time with patients, offering friendly conversation and a listening ear
Chat/read with patients who may not have visitors
Support with hydration by offering drinks, refilling water jugs, and encouraging patients to drink
Read to patients who may struggle to read themselves or simply enjoy being read to
Notice and support patients who may feel lonely or anxious
Create moments of calm, reassurance, and connection
Response Volunteer
Collecting and delivering notes / swabs / medication / equipment & running errands from various departments / wards
Supporting our clinics - providing drinks for patients, supporting staff with signposting information for patients
Providing a courtesy 'Meet & Greet' service (wheelchair training required) to support people to their appointments
Operating a library service to wards
Assist with wellbeing rounds, offering drinks to patients on wards
Guide people around the hospital and be proactive in assisting anyone who may be lost or need help (floating guide)
Take the Brew Buddy (drinks trolley) out to support staff wellbeing
What We Look For A caring nature and good listening skills Patience, reliability, and empathy A friendly, approachable manner Respect for confidentiality Ability to work independently while knowing when to seek support
About us
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.
We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.
Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
Job description Job responsibilities
How to apply:
Clearly state the role you are applying for in your application in supporting information if you do not specify the preferred, sadly we cannot process your application. Tell us which day and shift time (between Monday and Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm) you are available. We receive many applications but can only accept a limited number of volunteers, so including all requested information is essential. We receive many applications but can only accept a limited number of volunteers, so including all requested information is essential. Why Volunteer With Us?
Build connections with patients and other volunteers Use your life experience to support those who need companionship Gain fulfilment from helping others feel seen, heard, and supported Be part of a warm, inclusive and supportive team We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact us on 01604 52 3159 to arrange an appointment with the team.
For Full details and responsibilities of the role, please see attached job description and person specification
Person Specification
Question 1 Essential
What has made you want to volunteer with us?
Question 2 Essential
Which volunteer role are you interested in applying for? (please refer to the role description in the advert)
Question 3 Essential
Please tell us which days and times you are available to volunteer. (Monday - Friday 8.30am-12.30pm or 12.30pm-4.30pm)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Northampton General Hospital
Address Northampton General Hospital
Cliftonville
Northampton
NN1 5BD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)