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Volunteering

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Could you help to improve the experience of our patients?

Our Volunteer Service is fortunate to have a wonderful team of caring, compassionate, and dedicated volunteers that selflessly offer their time to support our various services throughout the Trust. Their diverse backgrounds and personal experiences mean that they all bring their own set of skills and array of knowledge which we are all very grateful for.

Some of the roles volunteers are involved in include:

Featured Vacancies:

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete an application form.

Alternatively, you can request that we email or post you an application form by completing the online form below titled Request an Application form.

Ambulance Service volunteer (General)

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The aim of Ambulance Service Volunteers is to provide support that results in an enhanced service provision for both patient-facing and non-patient facing Ambulance Service working areas. The role includes a wide range of tasks that can be allocated and adapted to meet the individual needs of the Volunteer and the needs of the service area.

The role offers the potential for a great diversity of tasks, as appropriate to each individual Volunteers’ ability and skills. It offers opportunities to meet new people and if appropriate to the tasks, learn new skills. This may include valuable lifesaving skills through the accredited training provided by Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Service.

To view the full role description, please click here.

 

Ward Helper and Activities Assistant

The aim of Ward Helper and Activity Assistant volunteers is to provide support that enhances patient experience within the ward they are assigned. The role offers the opportunity for volunteers to carry out a wide range of tasks on the ward they are assigned, enabling them to work alongside staff and other healthcare professions and learn new skills.

To view the full role description, please click here.

Volunteering requires commitment, both of energy and time. Our volunteers are unpaid – apart from travel expenses – so why do it? There are many reasons, including: 

  • Job satisfaction

  • The chance to gain experience and develop new skill

  • Social contact and activity

  • The opportunity to help other people

  • A rewarding and fun experience 

Depending on the area they work, our volunteers undertake a wide variety of activities including talking to patients, making teas and coffees, helping to make beds, signposting to services and escorting people around the hospital. By doing that little extra, volunteers can brighten a patients day.

No, you don’t usually need any special skills to be a volunteer at St Mary’s hospital. We provide all volunteers with general training and you will also be given specialised training relevant to your role, if needed. Our volunteers are made up of a diverse range of people and it is more important that they have qualities such as friendliness, a sense of humour, reliability and a genuine wish and willingness to help.

Each volunteer decides how much time they are able to offer. Some people come in for three hours per week, others volunteer for one to two days a week. Normally volunteers will undertake one session of 3-4 hours per week. We do ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of six months so it is important to think carefully about whether volunteering will fit into your life on a regular basis.

We welcome volunteers from the age of 16 and there is no upper age limit, providing you are reasonably fit. All volunteers are interviewed to make sure we can find a role that is suitable.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete an application form which you can find below.

Alternatively, if you would like us to send you a form, please complete the Request a Volunteer application form below.

Contact us:

Volunteer Service
Isle of Wight NHS Trust
St Mary’s Hospital
Parkhurst
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5TG

Iownt.volunteer@nhs.net

01983 822099 ext. 6411

Request a Volunteer application form

What volunteers say...

'Everyday is different – funny, sad, demanding, challenging – but never dull’

‘Volunteering really spices up my life. I would recommend every one of my friends to join in because it is such a great opportunity.’