Volunteer with us

The smooth running of the hospitals would not be possible without the involvement of our wonderful volunteers. Our volunteers improve and enhance the patient experience, complementing the work of our employed staff across the Trust. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and represent the diversity of the communities we serve. They generously give their time to help the Trust provide excellent care and services on behalf of our patients, visitors and staff.

Over 350 people volunteer across Whiston, St Helens and Newton Community hospitals, helping in many ways such as visiting and spending time with patients, meeting and greeting, supporting hospital staff and assisting the spiritual care team.

We want to be the Trust of choice for volunteering because we offer a wide range of services across all of our hospitals, which provides more opportunities for our volunteers.

In June 2020 we were awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service which is the highest accolade that volunteer groups can achieve in the UK.

• Why volunteer?
  • To gain experience in healthcare 
  • To help gain entry into university or college
  • To take a first step towards preparation for employment or returning to work
  • To keep busy and do something rewarding and useful when you finish working
  • To meet new people and make new friends 
  • To help with recovery after illness or bereavement
  • To give something back 
  • To learn new skills 
  • To have lots of fun!
• How volunteering works

  "Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer"

  The Trust has a large and vibrant team of volunteers who work across our hospital sites, they support our staff, help our patients and provide an invaluable contribution to the day to day running of the Trust.

  We expect our volunteers to adopt the Trust’s Five Star Patient Care Values:

  • Kind and Compassionate
  • Open and Honest
  • Respectful and Considerate
  • Listening and Learning
  • Friendly and Welcoming
• What will I be doing?

  Our volunteering roles due to Covid-19 are non-clinical and mostly patient-facing. We have a variety of  17 different volunteer roles which we will be recruiting to once hospital visiting restrictions are lifted.

  Our volunteers work in many areas across the Trust here's just a few of them:

  Main reception Volunteers welcome patients and visitors to the hospital, help them with directions and any further information they may need.

  Ward Volunteers provide a vital service supporting the staff on our wards. This may involve assisting with mealtimes, visiting patients and running errands for staff.

  Patient Surveys Volunteers help us gather information about patient and visitor experience

  Emergency Department Volunteers meet and greet patients

  Prevention of Delirium Volunteers are required to attend specific training for this role

  Dining Companions

  Pastoral & Spiritual Care The Trust has a number of volunteers who visit the wards and offer spiritual or pastoral support to patients. For more information regarding these Volunteers / Visitors, please contact Jamie Hartwell, Head of Spiritual Care Tel: 0151 430 1657.

  If someone has a particular area in which they wish to volunteer then every consideration will be given to place the volunteer where they have requested.  

  Regular updates and newsletters are sent to volunteers advising them of forthcoming training/activities which they may wish to get involved in.

• Who can apply to be a volunteer?

  People aged 16 and over can apply to become a volunteer. There is no upper age limit. At the Trust we welcome people with disabilities and those from all cultures and backgrounds. All that we ask is that you are fit and well enough to undertake the volunteer role, you have a genuine interest in helping others, are reliable and have the commitment to volunteer.

  The Trust accepts volunteers from the age of 16 however placements on wards are restricted to those aged 17 and over.

  N.B. Many universities now require students to have gained experience by way of volunteering. Testimonials may be provided on request to those who have completed the required attendance criteria, including a record of attendance and a description of the volunteer role that has been undertaken. This can then be used to support applications for higher education or job opportunities.

  Volunteering for people aged 25 years and over

  Volunteers in this age group may apply for any of the volunteer roles available, providing they are fit and well enough to undertake the role they have chosen. There is no upper age limit for volunteers, the criteria being that you are fit and well and able to perform the tasks asked of you.

• How much time do I need to commit?

  As it takes time and dedication to volunteer and to make a difference, we require all volunteers to commit to a shift of at least 2–4 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months, during this time you will be working towards 50 hours of volunteering unless we specifically state otherwise.

• How do I apply to become a volunteer?

  Our volunteering services team organises recruitment rounds every 2 months. If you would like to join us and book a place on the next available induction please fill out the volunteer form  or email us on volunteers@sthk.nhs.uk providing your name and contact details.

• Will I need to provide references and have a DBS to volunteer?

  All prospective volunteers will be asked to provide a professional reference (or a reference from a school teacher if you are at school). Some roles will require a DBS (criminal record check)—we take you through this process and will provide more information after an informal chat.

• Do I get paid expenses?

  Any out of pocket expenses are paid on a monthly basis.

• Do I require any health checks to volunteer with patients?

  Yes - you will be asked to complete a health self-declaration and a health assessment survey. We take the safety and wellbeing of our volunteers seriously and this will help us to ensure you are being deployed safely.

• What skills or experience will I gain?

  You will gain numerous skills, but the most common are communication and interpersonal skills, confidence, resilience and experience in a busy healthcare environment as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• What about COVID-19?

  The welfare of patients, staff and volunteers is the Trust’s top priority. The Trust has robust policies and processes in place for deploying volunteers safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes supplying PPE, exercising high levels of hand hygiene and social distancing, and providing appropriate training. You will have the opportunity to discuss any concerns you have around COVID-19 during the application process.

• Entry criteria

  If you are considering applying to become a volunteer, please ensure that you meet our entry requirements before submitting an application:

  • You must be 16 years of age or older
  • You must have the right to work in the UK
  • You must be able to meet the role’s commitment
  • You must have an email address
• Have any questions?

  If you have any questions please email us at volunteers@sthk.nhs.uk

Try Volunteering

If you would like to join us and book a place on the next available induction please complete the form below or email: volunteers@sthk.nhs.uk providing your name and contact details.