Deputy Head of Volunteer Services

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust; Northampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare institution in Northampton is seeking volunteers to support patients and staff by providing essential assistance around the hospital. Volunteers will engage with patients, collect and deliver items, and help with wellbeing initiatives. This role requires just a few hours per week and offers a chance to make a meaningful impact in the community. Join us to make a difference and be part of a supportive team.

Qualifications

• Must be able to volunteer 3–4 hours per week.
• Demonstrate respect and sensitivity to all individuals.
• Ability to support people with video calls and engage in conversation.

Responsibilities

• Collecting and delivering notes, medication, and equipment.
• Spending time with patients and providing a listening ear.
• Providing drinks for patients in clinics and assisting staff.

Job description

Volunteer Opportunity at Northampton General Hospital

Our volunteers are the heart of our hospital. By giving your time, you'll help us deliver the best possible care to patients and their families and make a positive impact every single day.

Why volunteer with us?

• Make a real difference to patients and visitors.
• Give back to the NHS and your local community.
• Be part of a friendly, supportive team.

What we're looking for

Response/Runners volunteers – helping staff and patients by delivering essential items and providing support across wards.

Shifts available Monday to Friday:

• Morning: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Afternoon: 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
• Ward Volunteer support available between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm; last shift starts at 4:00 pm

Commitment

Just 3–4 hours per week – a small amount of time that makes a huge difference.

Responsibilities

• Collecting and delivering notes, swabs, medication, equipment and running errands from various departments and wards.
• Spending time with patients, providing a listening ear and engaging in friendly conversation as appropriate, demonstrating respect and sensitivity to all individuals.
• Chatting or reading to patients who may not have visitors.
• Supporting our clinics by providing drinks for patients and helping staff with signposting information for patients.
• Providing a courtesy 'Meet & Greet' service (wheelchair training required) to support people to their appointments.
• Assisting with patient/family video calls on wards.
• Operating a library service to wards.
• Visiting and chatting with patients who may not have visitors on wards.
• Supporting within A&E and Pharmacy departments (over 18s only with full training).
• Assisting with wellbeing rounds, offering drinks to patients on wards.
• Guiding people around the hospital and being proactive in assisting anyone who may be lost or need help (floating guide).
• Taking the Brew Buddy (drinks trolley) out to support staff wellbeing.
• Maintaining confidentiality regarding patients and their property at all times.
• Providing signposting from one of the information desks in the hospital.
• Supporting in our Oncology Café – providing hot drinks to people waiting for treatment and talking to patients.

Application Information

Ready to join us? When applying, please tell us:

• Which day(s) you can volunteer.
• Why you'd like to volunteer with us.

We receive lots of applications and only have a limited number of places, so make sure you include this information to help us.

Be part of something special. Volunteer today and help us make a difference!

Contact

For further details or informal visits:

Name: Michelle Barnes

About Northampton General Hospital

Northampton General Hospital provides general acute services and hyper‑acute stroke, vascular and renal services to people living in Northamptonshire. We are also an accredited cancer centre offering services to a broader population of Northamptonshire and parts of Buckinghamshire. We are proud to be the first hospital in the UK to obtain Pathway to Excellence® accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Our culture emphasises teamwork, communication and continuous improvement, and we are part of the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) network alongside Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust.

Our Excellence Values

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courage

Diversity & Inclusion

UHN encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups. We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community makes to our organisation and have achieved a Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme. We have active networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds, ensuring everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging while working for UHN.