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Volunteering

 

Could you help to improve the experience of our patients?

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Our Voluntary 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. 

We are currently accepting applications for the below volunteering opportunities.

Ward Helper

Chaplaincy Wheelchair Pusher

Gaming Volunteer - Children's ward

Friends and Family Test (Feedback surveys)

General Assistant - Mottistone

Administrator

Meet and Greet - Outpatients B

 

If you would like to apply for any of the above roles, please complete an application form and return it via one of the methods detailed on page 9 of the form by 31 October 2025. Applications received after this date will role over in to our next recruitment window which is expected to be in December 2025.

Vacancies will close on 31 October 2025 or sooner if we receive sufficient applications.

If you are successful in being shortlisted, you will be invited to attend our recruitment day on Wednesday 12 November 2025. You will be offered a one hour time slot between 11.30am-2.30pm.

As a Trust, we place volunteers based on the needs of the hospital. If you are looking for a specific role/department that does not fit into our current vacancies, then we unfortunately may not be able to help.

Telephone:

01983 822099 ext. 6411

Email:

Iownt.volunteer@nhs.net

Address:

Voluntary Services
Isle of Wight NHS Trust
St Mary’s Hospital
Parkhurst
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5TG

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 3 hours a week, others volunteer for 1 to 2 days a week. Normally volunteers will undertake one session of 3-4 hours a week.

We do ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of 6 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.

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

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

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.’