Chaplaincy Volunteer

Kingston Hospital NHS Trust; Kingston upon Thames; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A local healthcare provider is seeking chaplaincy volunteers to provide companionship and spiritual care at Kingston Hospital. Volunteers will engage with patients, refer them to Chaplains as needed, and help organize events. Ideal candidates are enthusiastic and committed, and must be able to attend assessments and mandatory training. This role is integral to supporting a multicultural and respectful environment.

Qualifications

• Able to provide companionship and spiritual support.
• Engage with patients from diverse backgrounds.
• Bring enthusiasm, reliability, and commitment to the role.

Responsibilities

• Visit assigned wards to provide companionship and spiritual support.
• Refer patients to a Chaplain to meet spiritual or religious needs.
• Support the Chaplaincy Sitting Service for families at end of life.

Job description

Overview

Home, community, hospital – Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust offers opportunities to grow your career across hospital and community settings in south London. We support professional development and provide care across people\'s homes, community clinics, and our two hospitals.

We are recognised for outstanding care, with awards from the HSJ and Nursing Times. Our maternity services have been rated the best in London by the CQC, and we are known for cancer care, children\'s services, surgical teams, and rehabilitation services.

Our Trust values

These values guide our behaviours in daily work:

• Compassionate: Care with kindness, understanding and empathy for all.
• Inclusive: Embrace diversity and respect every individual\'s contributions.
• Collaborative: Foster teamwork across all levels, with partners to deliver the best outcomes.
• Inspiring: Commit to continuous improvement and excellence in patient care, staff development and innovation.

Role type

We are recruiting for chaplaincy volunteers at Kingston Hospital only. Volunteers support patients with pastoral and spiritual care across cultures and beliefs, assist with administration, and help organise events such as open days, cultural celebrations and memorial services.

Responsibilities

Chaplaincy volunteers visit assigned wards to provide companionship and spiritual support on a one-to-one basis. They may:

• Refer patients to a Chaplain to meet specific spiritual or religious needs.
• Support the Chaplaincy Sitting Service for families with loved ones nearing end of life.
• Engage with patients from diverse backgrounds and contribute to a multi-cultural, respectful environment.
• Bring enthusiasm, reliability and commitment to the role.

Before you apply / Essential information

If you are interested in more than one role, please submit your application on your initial preference; other roles can be discussed at assessment.

You will have a 20-minute assessment in the week commencing either the 13th October or 20th October at Kingston Hospital. Mandatory training for this role is on Tuesday 25th November 2025. Please only apply if you can attend these dates.

Please provide details for 2 references (one known for more than 3 years) with an email address for each reference. You may provide a family friend but not a relative.

Please bring three forms of valid identification to your assessment:

• Group One: UK Passport, EEA/Swiss Passport, indefinite leave to remain, other passport, Biometric Residence Permit, driving licence (UK, IOM or CI), current EU photo driving licence, EU national identity card (EU only).
• Group Two: Driving licence photo card, current EU photo driving licence, old-style UK driving licence, bank statement (UK/EEA, <3 months old), utility bill (UK, <3 months old) from a second supplier, Council Tax statement (last 12 months), mortgage statement (UK or EEA, last 12 months).

Notes for young applicants: if aged 16–19 and unable to provide two Group Two documents, alternative ID options include a full UK birth certificate or a letter from a head teacher confirming student status with supporting documents.

If you are unable to provide the above evidence, please call 0208 934 3620 / 2549.

Person specification

Shortlist / Essential criteria

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Reserve / Essential criteria

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Please ensure you have read the Role Profile attached below. You will be contacted by the Volunteering Services Team via email; please check your inbox regularly.

Kingston Hospital NHS Trust has four key values and expects volunteers to demonstrate them:

• Caring – empathy, compassion, dignity and respect.
• Safe – safety of patients, staff and volunteers is the prime concern.
• Responsible – take responsibility for the hospital, its services and reputation.
• Value Each Other – value each other\'s contributions.

Kingston Hospital NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk. If you will have access to children or vulnerable adults, a Disclosure and Barring Service check is required. All employees have safeguarding responsibilities in their role.

Employer requirements

The post may involve regular contact with vulnerable people and is subject to disclosures. A disclosure check will be sought in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and related orders.

Documents to download

• Chaplaincy Volunteer (PDF, 592.9KB)
• Chaplaincy Volunteer (PDF, 188.1KB)