How to apply

To volunteer with an NHS Board you need to contact a volunteer manager from the board you want to volunteer with and identify a role to apply for. 

There are a wide range of roles available. Volunteers never take on the work of paid staff, instead the roles complement the work of the NHS, often engaging with patients. Some examples of volunteer roles include: 

  • Art Therapy
  • Bedtime Readers
  • Befriending
  • Breast Feeding Buddies
  • Carer Support
  • Chair and support to steering group
  • Chaplaincy Assistants
  • Day Hospice Volunteers
  • Disability Reference Group
  • Drivers
  • Fruity Volunteers
  • Gardening
  • Guides
  • Hand Massage
  • Health Promotion
  • Health Walk Leader
  • Healthy Living Network
  • Hospital Radio
  • Keep Well Buddies
  • Later Life Programme Volunteer
  • Lay Members
  • Mealtime Volunteers
  • Meeter and Greeter
  • Mobile Library
  • Office Support Volunteer
  • Oncology Support Volunteers
  • Patient Forum Members
  • Patient Outreach
  • Pet Volunteer
  • Play Assistants
  • Play Volunteers
  • Research Support
  • Social/Crafting
  • Spiritual Care Volunteers
  • Stop Smoking Buddies
  • Therapeutic Care
  • Volunteer Organisers
  • Walking Project
  • Ward Buddy

Each NHS Board will have its own list of volunteer roles so it’s important to make contact with the right board.  Find NHS Organisation information and contact details. 

When you apply you will need to provide the following: 

  • Contact details
  • A summary of why you want to volunteer and your experience
  • Two referees

Each NHS Board may have a minimum expected commitment for the roles. This can typically be three, six or 12 months.

Some roles require a Disclosure certificate or membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme. The volunteer manager will confirm this with you depending on the role you are applying for. 

All volunteers receive training and induction. There will be some mandatory training for the role, often includes training on safety and equality and diversity. There may also be some specialist training, depending on the role.