Job overview

Please note that volunteering is an unpaid role – we are unable to offer sponsorship as volunteering does not meet UK sponsorship requirements. 

Our volunteers are the heart of our hospital. By giving your time, you’ll help us deliver the best possible care to patients and their families – and make a positive impact every single day.

Why volunteer with us?

• Make a real difference to patients and visitors.
• Give back to the NHS and your local community.
• Be part of a friendly, supportive team.

 What we’re looking for:

• Response/Runners Volunteers – helping staff and patients by delivering essential items and providing support across wards. Shifts available Monday to Friday:
  • Morning: 8:30am – 12:30pm
  • Afternoon: 12:30pm – 4:30pm

·         Ward Volunteer support available between 8:00am and 7:00pm; last shift starts at 4:00pm

 Your commitment:

• Just 3–4 hours per week – a small amount of time that makes a huge difference.

There are so many ways you can help – from supporting patients and visitors to assisting our hardworking staff. Every role matters, and every volunteer is valued.

Ready to join us? When applying, please tell us:

• Which day(s) you can volunteer.
• Why you’d like to volunteer with us.

We receive lots of applications and only have a limited number of places, so make sure you include this information to help us.

 Be part of something special. Volunteer today and help us make a difference!

Main duties of the job

·         Collecting and delivering notes / swabs / medication / equipment & running errands from various departments / wards

·         Spending time with patients providing a listening ear and engaging in friendly conversation as appropriate, demonstrate respect and sensitivity to all individuals.

·         Chatting / Reading to patients who may not have visitors.

·         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

·         Assisting with patient / family video calls on wards

·         Operating a library service to wards

·         Visiting / chatting to patients who may not have visitors on wards

·         Support within A&E and Pharmacy departments (over 18’s only with full training)

·         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

·         Confidentiality must be always maintained regarding patients and their property

·         Provide Signposting from one of the information desks in the hospital

·         Support in our Oncology Café - provide hot drinks to people waiting for treatment, talking to patients

Working for our organisation

Please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close adverts once we have received sufficient applications

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is on an exciting journey with all of our divisions committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN). As part of this collaborative approach, there may be a requirement for you to work across both the Kettering and Northampton hospital sites, depending on the needs of the service.

Our Excellence Values

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across UHN and help to unleash everyone's full potential. 

UHN encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups.  We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme. 

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for UHN.