Volunteering at Solent NHS Trust

Volunteering brings huge value to the NHS and improves existing services and the experiences of people who use services.

Volunteering is an activity that involves spending unpaid time doing something that is beneficial to others. Volunteering is also a great way to meet people, make friends, learn skills, gain in confidence and, most importantly, the chance to make a direct difference to people's lives.

We provide a certificate of achievement and can potentially support job applications with a reference. 

Solent NHS Trust has a wide range of volunteering opportunities available.

We are looking for drivers to transport patients and/or staff, equipment, and medicines to various locations. Ward buddies and virtual ward buddies, to provide social support, meet and greet to assist patients/carers on arrival to appointments, shopping and companionship. Gardeners to help maintain areas at chosen hospitals. To support with the consent process and approval of vaccinations for school aged children across Solent. Helping patients to keep in touch with their loved ones and friends. To support with administrative functions at all sites, which may include contacting patients for our Children's services and others.

Below are some of the roles that we are looking for volunteers to help support with. Please get in touch – we would love to hear from you.

Ward Buddy Volunteer – To help us to enhance the ward environment and experience for our patients. To provide social support on a day to day basis, engage in conversations, encourage and support patients with the Friends and Family Survey. 

Mealtime Support Volunteer - to provide support on the wards at mealtime, ensuring patients receive the correct food and assist with opening packages and engage in conversations and encourage patients. Click here for more information. 

Driver Volunteer (Patient/Staff) - To support all areas transporting of patients and/or staff to ensure efficient use of time and resources. 

Driver Volunteer (Equipment/Supplies) – to support all areas delivering or transporting of equipment and/or supplies to ensure efficient use of time and resources. 

Wellbeing Caller Volunteer – contacting individuals at home to inform them of their appointment waiting time and also to check they are ok. The overall aim is that all our patients are healthy, safe and independent at, or close to home.

Patient Experience Volunteer - To help the Patient Experience Team with the sorting of mail and entering patient feedback onto a database / feedback system. 

If you would like to apply or have an informal chat, please complete our form below and we will contact you as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can telephone us on 0300 123 4013.

To be considered for one of our volunteer roles, you should be:

• Over 16 years of age
• Have good communication skills
• Ideally be able to commit to a minimum of six months service – however we fully understand that life can change and so we just ask that you keep us informed

What we can offer you?

• Induction
• Training for the role
• Driver roles receive a fuel allowance of £0.66 per mile

There are a few steps to complete to become a volunteer:

1. Complete an application form – you can do this electronically and email it to us or you can call 0300 123 4013 and ask for a paper copy. We have an Easy Read version which you can complete and email it to us or do on paper. The Easy Read version also includes points 2,3 and 4 below.
2. Disclosure and Barring Service check (some roles may require this)
3. Health Assessment form
4. You will need to provide 2 character references
5. You will have an informal chat/interview which can be either face to face or via video link.

If you would like the application form in another format, please contact: Volunteers@solent.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 4013

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