Job summary
- Main area
- Volunteer
- Grade
- Volunteer
- Contract
- Voluntary: unpaid
- Hours
- Flexible working - 4 hours per week
- Job ref
- 265-7481653
- Employer
- Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Northampton General Hospital
- Town
- Northampton
- Salary
- Volunteer- Unpaid role
- Closing
- 24/09/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Response Volunteer (unpaid role)
Volunteer
Job overview
Can you spare 4 hours a week?
Are you friendly, caring and a good listener? Are you able to approach people to offer help?
We are looking for volunteers Monday to Friday:
- AM Shift – start 8.30 and finish at 12.30pm.
- PM Shift – starts 12.30 and finish at 4.30pm.
Please note:
The commitment we ask for is:
- 4 hours each shift
- Ideally same day each week
Our volunteers are an invaluable part of the hospital team so come and join us and make a difference.
Main duties of the job
The role is reactive to the needs of the hospital and will involve working across various departments. You will be advised daily as to what tasks you will be required to undertake but could involve running errands for departments, doing well being rounds around the Trust, directing people at the welcome desks and carrying out Meet and Greets.
Volunteers cannot replace the role of a paid employee, and this is not a work placement.
Working for our organisation
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
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 have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Collecting and delivering notes / swabs / medication / equipment & running errands from various departments / wards
- Providing a courtesy ‘Meet & Greet’ service (wheelchair training required)
- 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 department (over 18’s only with full training)
- Assist with wellbeing rounds, offering drinks to patients
- Cover desks and welcome patient and visitors to the hospital, providing clear, accurate directions
- Undertake patient / staff surveys to collect data to understand their experience
- Confidentiality must be always maintained regarding patients and their property
- Guide people around the hospital and be proactive in assisting anyone who may be lost or need help
- Take the Brew Buddy out to support staff wellbeing
- Whilst carrying a radio always ensuring you speak professionally over the system and never speak about patients over the radio
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, if you require reasonable adjustments to make your application, please contact us on 01604 523159 to book an appointment with the team.
Person specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Show empathy and compassion towards others and treat people with dignity and respect
- Experience assisting the public
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to communicate in a calm and professional manner
Desirable criteria
- Good interpersonal skills
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential criteria
- Recognise when appropriate to seek support from others
- Reliable, honest and punctual
- Ability to exercise confidentiality and discretion
- Ability to work on own initiative
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Volunteer Services
- Job title
- Volunteer
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01604523159
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