Job overview

Make a difference when it matters the most.

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group are looking for 
Emergency Department Volunteers who can Volunteer between 8am - late, Monday to Sunday. 

Could a simple conversation change someone's day?

For patients and families arriving in our Emergency Department, it can be one of the most stressful moments of their lives. They may be anxious, worried, in pain, or simply unsure of what happens next.

That's where you come in.

We are looking for caring, compassionate and reliable volunteers aged 18 or over to join our Emergency Department team and help create a welcoming, supportive environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Whether you're offering reassurance to a worried relative, helping someone find their way or supporting our teams with practical tasks, your presence can make a genuine difference to someone's experience of care.

This is a rewarding opportunity to give your time when it matters most. We're looking for people who are approachable, patient, dependable and genuinely want to help others.

In return, you'll meet a wide range of people, develop valuable communication skills, gain insight into the NHS and become part of a supportive team.

Main duties of the job

As an Emergency Department Volunteer, you will provide friendly, practical and non-clinical support to patients, relatives, visitors and staff.

• Welcoming patients and visitors to the Emergency Department and helping them feel comfortable.

• Providing a friendly face, a listening ear and reassurance to patients and relatives who may be anxious or worried.

• Supporting people who may be unsure where they need to go or what they need to do next.

• Providing practical support to patients and visitors within the boundaries of the volunteer role.

• Helping maintain a calm, welcoming and supportive environment.

• Recognising when someone may need additional assistance and alerting an appropriate member of staff.

• Maintaining patient confidentiality and respecting the privacy, dignity and individual needs of everyone you meet.

We are also looking for ED Response Volunteers to provide practical, non-clinical support across the Emergency Departments. They respond to requests from different ED areas, undertake collections and deliveries across the Trust to support the department. This is a varied and active role that helps staff, supports patient wellbeing and keeps the ED running smoothly.

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.