We want to make the best use of your skills and experience while offering you an opportunity that works for you too.
On this page, you'll find information about the variety of volunteer roles available at our hospitals, and how to apply.
Ward assistants
As a volunteer ward assistant, you will help with administrative and clerical work such as filing and answering the phones. You will also help make beds, water the plants and assist ward maintenance.
This role might also involve keeping patients company, helping them with small tasks like getting a newspaper or magazine, reading to them, and escorting them on short walks. Volunteers offer friendship and conversation many patients miss while they're in hospital.
Admin and clerical
Working in areas including medical records, secretarial offices and clinics, as a volunteer, you will help with tasks such as filing, photocopying, mail and data entry. Volunteer support in these areas allows out staff to devote more time to complex and urgent issues.
Meet and greeter
As a meet and greeter, you will welcome patients, families and visitors when they arrive at main entrances and in other main waiting areas.
You will also offer information about the hospital and directions to various departments and facilities, and escort and support people who may require extra help.
Hospitals can be a daunting and confusing place; a warm smile and an offer to help can make a huge difference.
Outpatient volunteers
You will help to make patients' visits to outpatient departments as smooth and comfortable as possible by helping them register when they arrive. The role may also involve helping behind the clinic desk occasionally and supporting the clinic reception staff.
Chaplaincy volunteers
This role involves offering spiritual, religious, pastoral and practical support to patients of all beliefs. This is more of a listening and responding role, rather than a role about religion or belief.
Patient befriender
These volunteers move through the various wards talking to patients and relatives, providing support, company, conversation and friendship – things many patients miss.
Such support might also involve helping patients to eat, reading to them or accompanying a patient for a short walk around the ward or hospital.
Volunteer with the rb&hArts team
Our hospitals' arts team, rb&hArts, offer volunteering opportunities across their arts programme. Find out more about the type of volunteering opportunities they offer.
Pets as Therapy volunteers
In partnership with national charity, Pets as Therapy, we have trained volunteers who visit our hospitals with their dog to offer comfort and support to patients and their families.
Applying for a volunteer role
To apply for a volunteer role, you'll need to complete an application form, which will be reviewed by our volunteering team. If your application is successful, we will ask you to come in for an interview.
All offers are subject to:
- an occupational health assessment
- a Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) check
- two references
- full employment history
Successful candidates are also expected to complete mandatory training.
To request an application form, or to find out more about volunteering at our hospitals, please email us at volunteer@rbht.nhs.uk