Whether you would like to give something back to your community, make new friends, enhance your skills, or learn something about a career in the NHS – there are so many benefits to volunteering with us.
Our volunteers come from all walks of life and represent the diverse communities we serve. But they all share a passion to improve patient experience and use their free time to help others and support the NHS.
We expect all our volunteers to live our values and support the Trust strategy.
In 2023, our volunteers gave more than 11,500 hours to support our staff, patients, and wider Trust.
We are always looking for ways to improve and develop our volunteer service, as we recognise the positive impact volunteers have on those they meet.
Watch our video to learn more about the opportunities we offer, and the difference our volunteers make.
Your role will be based on your availability, preferences and interests, as well as where support is needed across the Trust.
Roles are rotated, so you will always have opportunities to experience different teams and meet new staff and patients.
We have many different opportunities available, which offer the chance to gain fantastic experience of supporting different wards and departments across our Trust.
You can gain a wide range of skills, as well as insight into the different professions and careers within the NHS.
Volunteering at RWT is diverse, and no day has to be the same. Here are just some of the activities you could support:
Volunteering is available in many areas across our Trust sites. We are always developing new opportunities with our staff, so there are lots of ways to get involved.
Examples of where you could be based:
Volunteers are vital to our Trust and help us to ensure staff and patients are supported during difficult times.
It is equally important that our volunteers feel happy, safe, respected, and supported during their time with us.
You will:
We will:
Our team is on hand to support the recruitment, training, and development of our volunteers.
We are part of the Patient Experience Team, and we proudly work in collaboration with Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.
Ashleigh Key
Volunteering Coordinator
Kerry Fletcher
Patient experience Officer
Location C4 Chaplaincy (first office on the left)
New Cross Hospital
Wolverhampton Road
Wolverhampton
WV10 0QQ
Tel: 01902 307999 Ext: 88763 or 07500 974526
Email: rwh-tr.volunteering@nhs.net
Follow us on X: @RWT_patientexp
We recruit cohorts of volunteers at set points during the year.
If you would like to register your interest, please email rwh-tr.volunteering@nhs.net with your:
We can then let you know when applications open and provide further information.
If you have any questions about volunteering across our hospital and community sites, you may find the answer below. Please email or call us if you have any further queries.
What time commitment is required?
As it takes time and dedication to volunteer and make a difference, we require all volunteers to commit to at least one volunteering shift of at least four hours per week, for at least six months.
Do you offer work experience?
Volunteering is not the same as work experience. We only recruit to specific roles and ask for a minimum of six months’ commitment to the role. The volunteering team will not recruit you as a work experience placement student and are not permitted to sign any documents that confirm work experience placements. Find out more about work experience.
Will I need to provide references and have a DBS check to volunteer?
All prospective volunteers will be asked to provide a professional reference (from a teacher if you are at school/college, or employer if employed). You will need to have an enhanced DBS check – we will take you through this process and provide you with more information after your interview stage, as well as support with references.
Do I get expenses paid?
Yes, we can pay mileage or travel expenses. Free onsite parking is also available to all volunteers (subject to an application for a parking permit). Please note, we cannot pay expenses for taxis, bus passes, or train tickets. You also must have business insurance on your car insurance policy to claim mileage expenses.
Do I require any health checks to volunteer with patients?
Yes – you will be asked to complete a health self-declaration and a health assessment questionnaire. Evidence of vaccinations may also be required to work in specific areas, such as our emergency department. We take our volunteers’ safety and wellbeing seriously, which will help us ensure that you are being deployed safely.
What training will I receive?
After your recruitment checks have been completed, you will receive your offer letter and email, as well as your log in details for the My Academy portal. My Academy is the online portal where volunteers and staff are required to complete all compulsory training modules. You will have a local induction led by us, where we will go through your role as a volunteer and other information outlined in your volunteer handbook.
What skills will I gain?
You will gain many skills, but the most common are communication and interpersonal skills, confidence, and resilience. You will also experience a busy healthcare environment, working with lots of different staff members.
How long will it take from submitting my application to starting volunteering?
As volunteers are recruited through a similar process to staff, this can take six to eight weeks. This also depends on applicants completing their paperwork promptly and a DBS check being completed quickly. There could be delays caused by the DBS check or any further health checks needed before you start. We will always communicate this with you.
We will explain every step of the process to you, but please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
Will you be able to provide me with a reference for future jobs?
We would be happy to provide you with a reference, provided you have completed a minimum of six months’ volunteering at the Trust.
Entry criteria
If you are considering applying, please ensure that you meet our entry requirements:
Any questions?
If you have any further questions, please email us at rwh-tr.volunteering@nhs.net.
