KGH Ward & Response Volunteer

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Kettering; Hybrid; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare institution in Kettering seeks dedicated volunteers to support patients and staff by delivering essential items and engaging in friendly conversations. Volunteers can work flexible shifts, contributing just 3-4 hours per week. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of patients while working in an inclusive environment. The position requires empathy and a willingness to assist across diferentes hospital sites when needed.

Responsibilities

• Collect and deliver notes, medication, and equipment between departments.
• Spend time with patients, providing a listening ear and conversation.
• Support clinics by providing drinks and information for patients.
• Assist patients or families with video calls on wards.
• Help with wellbeing rounds, offering drinks to patients.

Job description

There are so many ways you can help - from supporting patients and visitors to assisting our hardworking staff. Every role matters, and every volunteer is valued.

Key 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 and reading to patients who may not have visitors.
• Supporting our clinics by providing drinks for patients and signposting information for patients.
• Providing a courtesy 'Meet & Greet' service (wheelchair training required) to support people to their appointments.
• Assisting with patient or 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 18's only with full training).
• Assisting with wellbeing rounds, offering drinks to patients on wards.
• Guiding people around the hospital and be 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.
• Providing signposting from one of the information desks in the hospital.
• Supporting in our Oncology Caf – providing hot drinks to people waiting for treatment and talking to patients.

Shift and Commitment

• 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.
• Your commitment: Just 3‑4 hours per week – a small amount of time that makes a huge difference.

Please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close adverts once we have received sufficient applications.

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is on an exciting journey with all of our divisions committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN). As part of this collaborative approach, there may be a requirement for you to work across both the Kettering and Northampton hospital sites, depending on the needs of the service. We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across UHN and help to unleash everyone's full potential. UHN encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative. We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme. We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for UHN.