Voluntary Services
Our Voluntary Services team enables suitably trained hospital volunteers to help in a variety of ways throughout our hospitals, deploying them to where they are most needed and suited. This involves help in the wards and in particular at meal times. Outpatient reception areas have meet and greet guides who help patients and visitors find their way to various destinations within the hospital.
Volunteers are required to commit to a minimum of 6 months service. The minimum age for most voluntary roles is 18 years of age. Volunteers work in all our hospitals and make a difference to all our patients during their stay.
Current Roles Available
- Patients' Trolley Service – Offering magazines, running errands to shops, conveying messages, helping out at meal times and talking to patients and playing games.
- Meeting and greeting guide – Based at our main and Outpatient Reception clinics, providing directions and answering general enquiries. They also escort and support those people who require a little extra help. Hospitals can be daunting and confusing places; a warm smile and an offer to help can make a huge difference.
- Information Centre - Working in the PALS and Macmillan information centres for health information for patients, relatives, carers, visitors and staff
- Volunteer Driver – Driving for the volunteer car scheme offering patients a convenient door to door service to get to essential appointments
- League of Friends Tea Shops – Serve fresh rolls and drinks to staff, patients and visitors throughout the week. Volunteers help run the shops with all profits going to the Trust.
- Spiritual and Pastoral Care Team – Visiting patients and staff regularly to listen and care. We seek visitors with spiritual sensitivity, whatever their faith background.
Students
During holiday periods, we are able to offer students voluntary roles in many of the above areas. For those looking for Work Experience Placements, we suggest you write to the department directly: wherts-tr.workexperience@nhs.net
The Application Process
All volunteers will need to complete an application form, health questionnaire, Equal Opportunities Monitoring, Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure and confidentiality agreements and attend mandatory training.
To become a volunteer you will need to be reasonably fit and active, friendly, a good listener committed to your voluntary role and be in easy commuting distance of our hospitals.
Contacts
For further information or an application pack, the Voluntary Services Coordinator is normally available on Monday and Wednesdays on: Tele: Watford: 01923 217307 or e-mail wherts-tr.volunteers@nhs.net. Post: Volunteer Services, PMoK Level 2, Vicarage Road, Watford. WD18 OHB. We endeavour to reply to all enquiries, but please note that due to the large amount of correspondence we are currently receiving, it is not always possible to reply individually.
