Apply to become a Volunteer

Volunteering within the NHS helps to improve the patient experience and offers a great opportunity to give something back to your local community.

You can view current volunteer opportunities below. This list is constantly updated so please check back if the type of role you are interested in is not listed. Please note: While we recognise how valuable volunteering can be for young people, we are generally unable to place under 16s on wards.

For the majority of our volunteering roles, we ask for a regular weekly commitment at the same time and day each week. Please ensure you can commit to this before applying to volunteer with us. If your availability varies from week to week and you cannot make this weekly commitment, we will be unable to place you in a volunteering role at this time.

Your application will be reviewed and if your application is successful, we will be in touch with you via the email address you have provided. Please be aware we receive a high volume of applications, so it may take up to 3 months from submitting your application to being placed in your role.

If you have any general enquiries about Volunteering, please email: Voluntary.Services@nhs.scot

Work Experience

Volunteer Services aren’t able to organise shadowing/work experience placements.

You can find out more information about these here;

Work Experience – NHSGGC

NHSGGC Adult Acute Hospital Opportunities

Hospital Welcome Guides (specific hospital sites)

About this role

High numbers of people walk through the front entrance of our hospitals on a daily basis, especially at peak times of the day. Some may require guidance to find their way around or have questions they wish to ask.

Volunteer Guides offer a friendly and helpful welcome to patients, families and visitors and guide them to where they want to go within the hospital.

This service is one of the most successful volunteering programmes within our health board.

Key Tasks

Actively observe patients/visitors at the hospital entrance who may need your assistance
Be welcoming. Chat to patients and visitors and make them feel at ease
Guide people from main entrances to where they wish to go, accompanying them if required.

Skills and experience required

Communicate with staff and visitors in a friendly, sensitive, caring and calm manner
Observe boundaries and work confidentially
Have a willingness to undertake training and comply with policies and procedures
Use your own initiative appropriately and contribute to the overall efforts of the team
Work independently with minimal supervision.

What we can offer you

A rewarding volunteer role
Full training
Great experience for your CV
The opportunity to meet new people
The opportunity to volunteer in a hospital setting.

Time requirements

This varies across the sites. In general, we ask volunteers to commit to at least one session (3 hours) per week:

Contact Form

Ward Volunteer – Adult Acute

About this role

Our Ward Volunteers provide friendship and conversation for patients: some may be elderly; others may not have any visitors as they are far from home. The aim is to enhance their experience in hospital and potentially avoid them becoming frustrated, which can stem from prolonged periods of time where stimulation is lacking.

The role is a busy one which will require an organised and friendly approach.

Key Tasks

Be welcoming by chatting to patients and making them feel at ease
As a helping hand to hospital staff, assist in distributing food at lunch and dinner times
Offer companionship to patients, chatting with them at the bedside and keeping them company while they eat.

Skills and experience required

Communicate confidently in a friendly, sensitive, caring and calm manner
Have good organization skills and an ability to prioritise and manage busy periods of activity
Observe boundaries and work confidentially
Have a willingness to undertake training and comply with policies and procedures, particularly around infection control and social distancing regulations
Use your own initiative appropriately and contribute to the overall efforts of the team
Work independently, but respond to guidance when appropriate.

What we can offer you

A rewarding volunteer role
Full training
Great experience for your CV
The opportunity to meet new people and volunteer in a hospital setting.

Time requirements

This varies across the sites but in general, we ask volunteers to commit to at least one session, of 4 hours, per week.

Potential Volunteers will be risk assessed in accordance with volunteering guidance. All potential volunteers must complete the NHS Recruitment process, which includes appropriate clearance from Disclosure Scotland, and satisfactory health & reference checks.

Contact Form

Rehabilitation Support Volunteer (specific hospital sites)

Allied health professionals (AHPs) use their unique skills and knowledge to improve people’s lives. This role would suit someone studying to be an Allied Health Professional or a retired Allied Health Professional. You must enjoy interacting with people and feel comfortable in a ward or clinical environment.

Our rehabilitation volunteers help provide a positive hospital experience to our patients.

About this role

This role is about engaging with patients to:

Help reduce boredom
Improve wellbeing
Help patients work towards their goals
Support the patient throughout their hospital stay.

On admission, patients are usually unwell and can be distressed. It is very rewarding to support patients through these stressful periods and work with them to enable them to return home. This includes helping patients gain independence with tasks that they may have struggled with previously.

Key tasks and duties

Specific examples of what our volunteers do:

Assist and support the work of Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech & Language – depending on ward.
Encourage fluids and snacks post physio
Provide one to one companionship with patients as required
Support patients to practise doing things that will help them to be more independent when they return home ie. assist with mealtime and serving refreshments and practice activities that matter to the patient
Other duties may include: Assist and support AHP running exercise classes and activities for patients.

Time requirements

Monday to Friday, 10.00am – 3.00pm. (slots will depend on hospital site)

Volunteers must commit to at least one three hour slot each week for at least 9-12 months.

Note:

Volunteers will not be involved in any personal care roles. All of the above tasks may include group work or individual one to one sessions to be held in patient lounge areas, bedded bay areas or in patient-side rooms.

Contact Form

Staff Rest & Recuperation Hub Volunteer

About this role

In response to the pandemic, NHSGGC created staff Rest & Recuperation Hubs to support staff wellbeing. The hubs provide a staff-only area with complimentary snacks, hot drinks and a place to eat. It also provides an ‘Active Space’ with games and a ‘Quiet Space’ for relaxation and reflection.

The role is a busy one which requires an organised and friendly approach.

Key tasks

Support the effective running of the Hubs and provide a warm welcome to staff and visitors making use of the space
Serve complimentary refreshments within the Hub
Manage stock, such as newspaper and snacks, to ensure an adequate supply at different times of the day
Work with staff to provide a safe, clean and comfortable environment for all those attending the Hubs.

Skills and experience required

Communicate confidently in a friendly, sensitive, caring and calm manner
Have a good level of organizational skill and an ability to prioritise and manage busy periods of activity
Observe boundaries and work confidentially
Have a willingness to undertake training and comply with policies and procedures, particularly around infection control and social distancing regulations
Use own initiative appropriately and contribute to the overall efforts of the team
Work independently, but respond to guidance when appropriate.

Contact Form

Spiritual Care Volunteer Visitor

About this role

The role of the Volunteer Visitor is to support anyone, whatever their world view, faith, lifestyle choice, religious beliefs, philosophy or none. The Spiritual Care Service support is private and confidential and non-judgmental. The purpose of the Volunteer Visitor is to be available for anyone who either self-refers or is referred to the service by either qualified or student Allied Health Professionals, Nurses, Doctors or members of their network, i.e. family / friends. The Lead Healthcare Chaplain oversees the Spiritual Care Service and each chaplain within their hospital site will supervise the Volunteer Visitors attached to the hospital where they volunteer. This meets with NHS Scotland’s Spiritual & Religious Care guidelines.

We currently have opportunities at:

QEUH

Volunteer Role: Key Tasks and Duties

The Spiritual Care Service offers a safe space to talk about worries, difficulties or changes that a patient or loved ones might be going through.
Communication is key which includes the Volunteer Visitor will introduce themselves to Hospital staff and patients, family and visitors they meet.
Spiritual Care Service is person-centred and available to anyone to access and receive spiritual and/or religious care and support. All the main hospital sites have a sanctuary which includes ablutions facilities.
A Volunteer Visitor is a neutral person able to offer anyone an opportunity to talk, listen without judging and provide appropriate comfort and support as well as know when to refer someone on to a health professional.
A Volunteer Visitor will communicate openly with the Healthcare Chaplain in the hospital when appropriate, in a person’s best interest.

Skills and experience required

Open, friendly, polite, people-person able to communicate clearly, especially with distressed, anxious or worried patients, families and visitors of all faiths and cultural groups and those with no specific belief.
Comfortable and knowledgeable with spiritual and religious care and aware of other support services available within NHS GGC and community.
Desire and commitment to the role of the Volunteer Visitor.
Reliability and excellent time keeping skills are essential.

What we can offer you

A rewarding volunteer role
Great experience for your CV
The opportunity to meet new people
The opportunity to volunteer in a hospital setting

Support

Volunteer Visitors will operate from an Acute hospital site under the supervision of the healthcare chaplains on duty. There will always be a spiritual care member of staff to guide volunteers. The Strategic Lead for Volunteering and staff are available for other generic volunteer information

Time Requirements

We ask that volunteers are able to commit to one session per week. Times to be agreed with Healthcare Chaplain.

Contact Form

Inverclyde Royal Hospital – Rainbow Garden Volunteer

About this role

The Larkfield Unit is home to stroke services, the neurorehabilitation service and medicine for the elderly wards for Inverclyde. The Rainbow Garden within the unit has become a favourite with patients, their families, visitors and staff members alike.

We are looking for volunteers to help maintain the tranquil Rainbow garden space alongside the dedicated staff volunteer team at the IRH.

Volunteer Role: Key Tasks and Duties

To build a rapport with staff, and other volunteers
To help plant and maintain the Rainbow garden space, in agreement with the wishes of patients and staff, and in a safe and responsible manner
Assist in planting, painting and tidying tasks in the garden

Skills and experience required

Some gardening skills and experience would be helpful, but not necessary
To be able to be flexible and adaptable to patients, staff and other volunteers in an acute health setting
To have a practical understanding of confidentiality
Able to take part in physical outdoor activity
Good communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal and as an active listener.
A relaxed but motivated manner.
A commitment to the importance of the outdoors and nature in supporting mental health and wellbeing

What we can offer you

A rewarding volunteer role
Great experience for your CV
The opportunity to meet new people
The opportunity to volunteer in a hospital setting and in a tranquil outdoor space

Time requirements

Wednesday evening 5pm – 7pm & occasional Sundays

Contact Form

New Victoria Hospital – Music Volunteer

Currently, there are no volunteering opportunities to apply for, but this may change regularly. Please check back on this site in the New Year for any updates or sign up for the mailing list by filling out the form below. We are grateful for your patience and understanding.

About this role

Music has been found to have a beneficial and therapeutic effect in these environments. Our ward based volunteers help to provide a positive hospital experience to patients. This volunteer role is about providing valuable musical therapy, to help provide a welcome distraction for our patients and to generally support their hospital stay.

Volunteer Role: Key Tasks and Duties

Provide musical entertainment within the rehabilitation unit, making use of the ward keyboard, or on any suitable instrument that you are able to bring to play.
Be welcoming by chatting to patients and make them feel at ease.
Work with the activity coordinator on a planned calendar of musical events for the ward

Skills and experience required

Ability to perform a range of music on either a keyboard or an instrument of your own
Ability to communicate confidently in a friendly, sensitive, caring and calm manner
An ability to observe boundaries and work confidentially
Willingness to undertake training and comply with policies and procedures, particularly around infection control
Ability to use own initiative appropriately and contribute to the overall efforts of the team
Ability to work independently, but to respond to guidance when appropriate

What we can offer you

A rewarding volunteer role
Great experience for your CV
The opportunity to meet new people
The opportunity to volunteer in a hospital setting and in a tranquil outdoor space

Time requirements

Monday to Friday, between the hours of;

10am – 4pm

Contact Form

NHS GGC Support & Information Service

About this role

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a Team who are committed to contributing to and enhancing the experience of our patients and their families who visit the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The front Support & Information Service is at the entrance of the hospital which is a busy environment, especially at peak times of the day.

We currently have opportunities at:

Royal Alexandra Hospital
Vale of Leven Hospital
New Victoria Hospital

Key Tasks

The role will include diverse tasks including but not limited to:

Organizing and stocking brochure stand
Organizing and dating emergency food parcels
Dropping off materials to wards and communicating with them about services we offer
Help manage storage of materials and leaflets
Actively observe for patients / visitors in the hospital entrance who may appear in need of assistance.
Promote the Support & Information Services across the hospital.
To speak to patient /visitors/ carers/people visiting the hospital and signpost onwards to services and the SIS.
To assist with information management within the SIS.

Skills and experience required

Communicate with patients, staff and visitors in a friendly, sensitive, caring and calm manner
Observe boundaries and work confidentially
Have a willingness to undertake training and comply with policies and procedures
Use your own initiative appropriately and contribute to the overall efforts of the team
Work independently with minimal supervision.

What we can offer you

A rewarding volunteer role
Full training
Great experience for your CV
The opportunity to meet new people
The opportunity to volunteer in a hospital setting.

Time requirements

We ask that volunteers are able to commit to at least one session (2 – 2.5 hours) per week for a minimum of 6 months.

There are a range of shift options, as follows:

Wednesday to Friday

10:00 am – 12:00

12:30 am – 14:30

14:30 – 16:30

Contact Form

Glasgow Royal Infirmary – Friends of GRI Museum Volunteer

About this role

The GRI Museum celebrates the contribution that the GRI has made to medicine, surgery and nursing throughout the world. It was officially opened on 31 May 2022.

Volunteer Role: Key Tasks and Duties

Supervising visitors to the museum
Answering questions about the exhibits (we have a volunteer booklet with information about all the exhibits to support)
Opening and closing the museum – we have a Standard Operating Procedure outlining how to do this.