rb&hArts runs exciting programmes for patients with weekly sessions led by professional artists in singing, music-making, dance and craft. We are looking to recruit friendly, personable volunteers with some creative skills to share.
Roles available
Art collection volunteer
rb&hArts manages a collection of artworks which are displayed in public areas of the hospitals and embedded in clinical spaces to improve the patient experience. As a volunteer, you will be checking the quality of the artworks, checking for damage, and making recommendations for how to improve our art collection. Working with a curator, you could help inform what information is publicly available about the collection to benefit our patients and visitors. This is an ideal role if you have an interest in art and are looking to learn more about the curation of artwork in a hospital.
Feedback volunteers
Volunteers are needed to collect feedback from patients about their care at any stage of the patient journey. It is a fun, patient-facing role which requires someone with an excellent bedside manner, good communication skills and high levels of IT proficiency. Training is provided by the Patient and Public Engagement team (PPE).
Gardening volunteer
As a gardening volunteer, you will receive training in gardening techniques, like mulching, creating your own fertiliser, pruning, bulb planting; and help maintaining the garden spaces around the hospitals (in particular Harefield Hospital). Gardening supports mental and physical health, and in collaboration with the HR department we encourage staff to register for this.
Music volunteer
As a music programme volunteer, you will accompany musicians on the wards and assist with patient evaluation, feedback and documentation of the project. This will also be a chance to shadow experienced musical practitioners.
Arts and crafts volunteer
As an arts and crafts volunteer, you will be able to assist with the setup, advertisement and running of group arts and craft sessions. You will also help us to advertise our participatory arts programme by distributing flyers to patients and staff on the wards and helping patients take part in surveys and arts consultations. Arts and crafts volunteers will also assist with art store maintenance and organisation and development and delivery of art packs for patients who don’t want to/can’t access our 1:1/group sessions.
Requirements
Duration of volunteering: 6 months minimum
You will need to supply two references, undertake NHS DBS application along with attending a training session on hospital protocol, safeguarding and infection control.
Before any contact in clinical settings, all volunteers must receive clearance from our Occupational Health (OH) department; this will involve confidentially providing OH with your medical/vaccination history and may mean needing to receive appropriate vaccinations.
Applicants should be aware that processing DBS, training and OH can take up to six to eight weeks due to capacity.
To apply
Email: arts@rbht.nhs.uk Call: 020 7352 8121 x 84087
You can also apply online.
If you are unsure, get in touch with us for a chat. With all the creative programmes we run, there is bound to be something that you will enjoy.
Follow us
You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram by searching @rbhArts or sign up to our monthly e-newsletter.