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Job summary

Main area
Volunteer
Grade
Volunteer
Contract
Voluntary: 0 days
Hours
  • Flexible working
  • Other
4 hours per week (4 hours per week)
Job ref
265-7767001-VOL
Employer
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Northampton General Hospital
Town
Northampton
Salary
Voluntary unpaid
Closing
11/02/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust logo

Volunteer Desk Guide

Volunteer

Job overview

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

Are you friendly and approachable? Are you confident speaking with people and offering help? Can you spare 4 hours every week?

We are looking for warm, approachable Desk Guide volunteers who will be based at our information desks to support people coming into the hospital Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:15pm.

When you volunteer with us, you help to improve patient experience by supporting staff and offering a warm welcome to everyone entering the hospital.

As a Desk Guide, you will welcome patients and visitors to the hospital with a friendly smile and signpost them to where they need to be.

Our volunteers play a vital part in creating a positive, caring environment making a genuine difference at moments when patients need connection the most. 

Why Volunteer With Us?

- Build connections with patients and other volunteers

- Use your life experience to support those who need assistance

- Gain fulfilment from helping others feel seen, heard, and supported

- Be part of a warm, inclusive and supportive team

Main duties of the job

Greeting and Welcome: Greet visitors, patients, and families at the main entrance or information desk with a friendly and supportive manner

Signposting and Guidance: Direct outpatients to clinics, wards, or departments, family and Friends to wards

Information Provision: Provide clear directions, maps, and information regarding amenities such as restrooms, cafes, shops, and car parks

Assistance Services: Assist with simple enquiries, location of appointments/departments/ward

Communication: Actively offer help to anyone who appears lost or disoriented

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

Greeting and Welcome: Greet visitors, patients, and families at the main entrance or information desk with a friendly and supportive manner

Signposting and Guidance: Direct outpatients to clinics, wards, or departments, family and Friends to wards

Information Provision: Provide clear directions, maps, and information regarding amenities such as restrooms, cafes, shops, and car parks

Assistance Services: Assist with simple enquiries, location of appointments/departments/ward

Communication: Actively offer help to anyone who appears lost or disoriented

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
  • Experience assisting the public.

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Show empathy and compassion towards others and treats people with dignity and respect
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to communicate in a calm and professional manner

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

Education, Training and Qualifications

Desirable criteria
  • No specific qualifications are required for this role, although any relevant qualifications should be detailed on the application.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

We are a Living Wage EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleJob share policyDisability confident leaderPathway to excellenceDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - SilverMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.We offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.ENEI Gold '22NHS Rainbow badgeAccessAbleNHS 75th BirthdayHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingNHS Rainbow Badge - BronzeArmed Forces Covenant111 Help Us Help YouCycle to Work

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Volunteer Services
Job title
Volunteer Services
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01604 523159
Additional information

N/A

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