Job summary
Please note that volunteering is an unpaid role - we are unable to offer sponsorship as volunteering does not meet UK sponsorship requirements.
Can you spare 3-4 hours a week to bring comfort, conversation, and compassion to patients who may be feeling lonely or in need of a friendly face?We are looking for warm, approachable volunteers to support patients across our wards Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm (last shift begins at 4pm).
Our volunteers play a vital part in creating a positive, caring ward 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 companionship
- Gain fulfilment from helping others feel seen, heard, and supported
- Be part of a warm, inclusive and supportive team
Ready to join us?When applying, please tell us:
- Which day(s) you can volunteer.
- Why you would like to volunteer with us.
We receive lots of applications and only have a limited number of places, so make sure you include this information to help us.
Be part of something special. Volunteer today and help us make a difference.
Main duties of the job
This role focuses on offering meaningful companionship and practical help that enhances a patient's wellbeing. Many patients spend long hours without visitors, and your presence can make a profound impact.You will:
- Provide a listening ear and friendly conversation
- Support with hydration by offering drinks, refilling water jugs, and encouraging patients to drink
- Read to patients who may struggle to read themselves or simply enjoy being read to
- Notice and support patients who may feel lonely or anxious
- Create moments of calm, reassurance, and connection
Supporting Patients Emotionally and Socially
- Spend time with patients, offering companionship, conversation, and empathy
- Sit with patients during quieter moments to reduce feelings of loneliness
- Read books, newspapers, poems, or letters to patients
- Listen actively, showing patience, kindness, and respect
- Maintain confidentiality and treat everyone with dignity
Helping Patients Stay Hydrated and Comfortable
- Offer regular drinks and ensure water jugs are topped up
- Encourage patients to drink, especially those who may forget or need prompting
- Sit with patients at mealtimes to provide gentle encouragement and support
- Ensure food and drink are placed within easy reach
Creating a Welcoming Environment
- Greet patients and visitors, helping the ward feel friendly and calm
- Help prepare drinks for patients and visitors
About us
Please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close adverts once we have received sufficient applications
Northampton General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is on an exciting journey with all of our divisions 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 Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN). As part of this collaborative approach, there may be a requirement for you to work across both the Kettering and Northampton hospital sites, depending on the needs of the service.
Our Excellence Values
- Compassion
- Accountability
- Respect
- Integrity
- Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across UHN and help to unleash everyone's full potential.
UHN encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups. 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 recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme.
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 UHN.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role focuses on offering meaningful companionship and practical help that enhances a patients wellbeing. Many patients spend long hours without visitors, and your presence can make a profound impact.You will:
- Provide a listening ear and friendly conversation
- Support with hydration by offering drinks, refilling water jugs, and encouraging patients to drink
- Read to patients who may struggle to read themselves or simply enjoy being read to
- Notice and support patients who may feel lonely or anxious
- Create moments of calm, reassurance, and connection
Supporting Patients Emotionally and Socially
- Spend time with patients, offering companionship, conversation, and empathy
- Sit with patients during quieter moments to reduce feelings of loneliness
- Read books, newspapers, poems, or letters to patients
- Listen actively, showing patience, kindness, and respect
- Maintain confidentiality and treat everyone with dignity
Helping Patients Stay Hydrated and Comfortable
- Offer regular drinks and ensure water jugs are topped up
- Encourage patients to drink, especially those who may forget or need prompting
- Sit with patients at mealtimes to provide gentle encouragement and support
- Ensure food and drink are placed within easy reach
Creating a Welcoming Environment
- Greet patients and visitors, helping the ward feel friendly and calm
- Help prepare drinks for patients and visitors
Job description
Job responsibilities
This role focuses on offering meaningful companionship and practical help that enhances a patients wellbeing. Many patients spend long hours without visitors, and your presence can make a profound impact.You will:
- Provide a listening ear and friendly conversation
- Support with hydration by offering drinks, refilling water jugs, and encouraging patients to drink
- Read to patients who may struggle to read themselves or simply enjoy being read to
- Notice and support patients who may feel lonely or anxious
- Create moments of calm, reassurance, and connection
Supporting Patients Emotionally and Socially
- Spend time with patients, offering companionship, conversation, and empathy
- Sit with patients during quieter moments to reduce feelings of loneliness
- Read books, newspapers, poems, or letters to patients
- Listen actively, showing patience, kindness, and respect
- Maintain confidentiality and treat everyone with dignity
Helping Patients Stay Hydrated and Comfortable
- Offer regular drinks and ensure water jugs are topped up
- Encourage patients to drink, especially those who may forget or need prompting
- Sit with patients at mealtimes to provide gentle encouragement and support
- Ensure food and drink are placed within easy reach
Creating a Welcoming Environment
- Greet patients and visitors, helping the ward feel friendly and calm
- Help prepare drinks for patients and visitors
Person Specification
Educations, Training and Qualifications
Essential
- No specific qualifications are required for this role, although any relevant qualifications should be detailed on the application.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Show empathy and compassion towards others and treats people with dignity and respect
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate in a calm and professional manner
- Show empathy and compassion towards others and treats people with dignity and respect
Desirable
- Good interpersonal skills
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Recognise when appropriate to seek support from others
- Reliable, honest and punctual
- Ability to exercise confidentiality and discretion
Person Specification
Educations, Training and Qualifications
Essential
- No specific qualifications are required for this role, although any relevant qualifications should be detailed on the application.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Show empathy and compassion towards others and treats people with dignity and respect
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate in a calm and professional manner
- Show empathy and compassion towards others and treats people with dignity and respect
Desirable
- Good interpersonal skills
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Recognise when appropriate to seek support from others
- Reliable, honest and punctual
- Ability to exercise confidentiality and discretion
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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