Meet our volunteers
To register your interest in volunteering for Kingston Hospital – please email khft.
Role profiles
About this role
Admin Support volunteers help support the smooth running of hospital administration systems. This role is best suited to volunteers who enjoy an organised and systematic approach to tasks. No previous experience is required. We just need your commitment, patience, enthusiasm and reliability. Each volunteer supports a member of administrative staff or team who will guide you to the tasks they need help with.
This role varies dependent upon the location or department, however your role is likely to include tasks such as: filing duties (paper and electronic), photocopying, data entry, retrieving information (paper and electronic) and may include customer service duties such as meeting and greeting visitors/patients.
The Admin Support roles vary slightly, depending on which department you may be supporting. However, there are a number of tasks and responsibilities that volunteers could be asked to help with:
- General filing and office tasks
- Sending appointment letters
- Contacting patients to remind them of their appointments
- Contacting patients to ascertain why they didn’t attend their appointments
- Answering the telephone
- Basic database entry or typing
- Gathering information about patient experience
Some Admin support roles may also involve meeting and greeting visitors/patients for specific clinics.
Whilst no specific experience is required, Admin Support volunteers need to be organised and reliable with reasonable literacy and communication skills.
- Can demonstrate a sense of maturity as well as compassion for others
- Good communication and listening skills with a friendly attitude
- An ability to use your own initiative
- Aware of the principles of confidentiality in a hospital environment. The ability to maintain patient and service-users’ confidentiality is paramount to this role.
- Over 16 years of age
- All Admin Support will require an Standard DBS check
- Commitment of at least 1 shift per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction day and bespoke / role specific training. This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know before you start your volunteering journey at the trust. This training is mandatory.
To live our values through your volunteering role at the Trust.
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills.
- A buddy to support you through your initial induction.
- It can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum commitment has been met.
- All our volunteering opportunity are opened 5 times a year.
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:1) Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)2) We require the following 3 forms of ID to process your application: a. 1 x passport. b. 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted). c. 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months). If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.
If you have any enquires, please do get in touch.
About this role:
Volunteers offer a warm welcome and guide to visitors to the Kingston Hospital Maternity Antenatal Services. In addition to making people feel welcome upon arrival and clarifying where to go, volunteers support women who may have come alone to appointments or have some down-time whilst waiting for a clinic appointment. Volunteers are a helping pair of hands for staff, helping to restock clinic essentials including sample pots as well as patient literature. They also help guide women to other parts of the hospital they may need to visit as part of their maternity appointment. Volunteers are also instrumental in conducting feedback with mothers and partners to learn from their experiences. This helps the Maternity Service to constantly improve its care. Through a regular commitment, you be a valued member of the team including the health care professionals, service managers and administrative staff. You will gain insight into midwifery and support services in an environment surrounded by experts including Midwives, Supervisor of Midwives and Practice Development Midwives.
- Meet and Greet women, partners, relatives and visitors to the Maternity Unit at the entrance to the Antenatal department.
- Ensure they are fully acknowledged and security checked by the Reception Staff
- Ensuring all women and birthing people complete the Friends & Family Test for their area and support them todo so.
- Meet and greet women booked in for other services, e.g. Antenatal Ward to provide a friendly face andreassurance as you direct them to the correct Reception area
- Re-stocking supplies as guided by the Housekeeper and Reception staff or Midwives
- Encourage stay hydrated, offering refreshments and meals where available and water regularly to all women.
- For women and birthing people who do not have a birth partner, to spend time with them and provide support e.g. listening, talking to them.
- Caring and reliable.
- Ability to communicate well.
- Ability to support other volunteers.
- Strong personal boundaries and confident to sign-post women and the public to approved sources of information
- Engage in training and supervision as appropriate to carry out the role.
- Over 18 years of age
- All Maternity Volunteers will require a Standard DBS check
- Commitment of
- at least 1 shift per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction day and bespoke / role specific training. This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know before you start your volunteering journey at the trust. This training is mandatory.
- To live our values through your volunteering role at Kingston Hospital.
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills.
- A buddy to support you through your initial induction.
- It can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum commitment has been met.
- All our volunteering opportunities are opened 5 times a year. (Please note the volunteering tab will only be available when our roles are live)
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:
1) Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)
2) We require the following forms of ID to process your application
A) 1 x passport
B) 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted)
C) 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months)
If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.
About this role:
Are you interested in working with individuals to improve their balance and minimise their risk of falls? Are you looking forexperience working in a physiotherapy led setting? An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and dedicatedperson to be part of the community-based volunteering team across Kingston Borough. Supporting people at risk of fallswithin the community to remain in their homes and support them with an exercise programme to help restore their health,wellbeing and independence.
You will work alongside physiotherapists carrying out functional assessments and interventions in order to help our patients live as independently as possible. These interventions may include progression of exercises and mobility assessments, assessments of activities of daily living and rehabilitation.
Physiotherapists will prescribe specific exercises tailored to each patient which you will practice with the patients at home for 8 weeks after the patient has been discharged from hospital. You will be an integral part of supporting patients to reducebarriers to get active such as finding activities that suit their budget or transport needs.
- Making visits to patients homes within the Kingston Borough (operational Mon-Thurs, 10-4pm)
- Undertaking functional tests and reporting outcomes at the start and end of the 8 week intervention
- Delivering a physiotherapy prescribed exercise programme for 8 weeks per patient in patients’ homes
- Writing brief reports and submitting these via the nhs.net email account
- Calling patients once a week to encourage patients to keep going and keep them motivated to reach their goals
- Provide information about local activities that will meet people’s needs such as the Get Active exercise on referralprogramme, better bones or community exercise activities or healthy walks.
- Able to communicate clearly with others and build rapport
- Good at motivating and encouraging people to reach their goals
- An interest in health, wellbeing and fitness
- An effective listener and to have empathy
- Polite, courteous and patient
- Able to be respectful of people with different backgrounds and preferences
- Able to maintain confidentiality
- Reliable, honest and punctual
- Able to respond to the needs of others
- A knowledge of the local Kingston area desirable (but not essential)
- Able to work independently with guidance and support
- Able to recognise own boundaries and the limitations of the role. We will support you to enhance the skills above
- Willing to use own technology, e.g. password protected computer or laptop, to complete patient exercise logs and submitto the hospital on a weekly basis.
- Training for this role is mandatory and will be at least a full day (possibly split into 2 half days). Training modules include:
- Role specific training (exercises, recording information, signs and symptoms of hyper/hypotension and delirium)
- Basic life support / CPR
- Lone working
- Safeguarding
- Trust induction e learning (infection control, fire safety etc)
- Over 18 years of age
- All Community Exercise Volunteers will require an enhanced DBS check
- Commitment of at least 1-2 shifts/ approx. 3 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months Monday to Thursday, 10am – 1pm or1pm – 4pm.
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction event via MS Teams.This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know before you start your volunteering journey at thetrust. This training is mandatory.
- Participation in the training relevant to your role and confidential discussion of any reasonable adjustments required tomeet your needs. We will have monthly meetings with all community volunteers to provide in service training and check inand chat.
- To live our values through your volunteering role
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Being an integral member of the hospital physiotherapy team.
- 121 support from project manager and clinical support from lead physiotherapist.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills.
- Bespoke training from our physiotherapy team.
- The experience can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum commitment of 6 months has been met.
- Reimbursement of travel costs from home to the patients home, in line with our volunteering policy.
Please email khft.
About this role:
Chaplaincy volunteers play an important role within our Chaplaincy Team. Volunteers can assist with the pastoral and spiritual support of patients of all faiths and philosophies of life, and can also help the Team with administration and the organisation of special events, such as open days, cultural celebrations and memorial services.
Chaplaincy volunteers visit are assigned wards to spend time with patients on a one-to-one basis, providing companionship and spiritual support as needed. Volunteers can assist patients with referral to a Chaplain to ensure any specific spiritual or religious needs are met. The Chaplaincy provides a Sitting Service to support families with loved ones who are nearing the end of life, and some volunteers are able to be involved in this.
Our Chaplaincy Volunteers are drawn from all faiths and all walks of life and need to be a member of good standing within their own faith or philosophical tradition. Volunteers will be willing to work in a multi-cultural setting, supporting without judgement those who may wish to explore their own concerns, beliefs and values. This role suits volunteers who enjoy meeting people, building rapport and have the maturity to listen to people who may be in distress. We welcome volunteers who can bring enthusiasm, reliability and commitment to this role.
Chaplaincy volunteers visit are assigned wards to spend time with patients on a one-to-one basis, providing companionship and spiritual support as needed. Volunteers can assist patients with referral to a Chaplain to ensure any specific spiritual or religious needs are met. The Chaplaincy provides a Sitting Service to support families with loved ones who are nearing the end of life, and some volunteers are able to be involved in this.
- Can demonstrate a sense of maturity as well as compassion for others
- Caring, reliable and enjoy being with older people.
- Ability to communicate well with patients, their relatives/friends.
- Ability to support staff for the benefit of patients.
- Ability to use your own initiative and assume responsibility for ensuring staff are aware of any difficulties patients and carers are experiencing.
- Strong personal boundaries and confident to sign-post patients and carers to alternative sources of support, advocacy and information e.g. PALs, Staywell.
- Understand the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.
- Over 18 years of age
- All Chaplaincy Volunteers will require an Enhanced DBS check
- Commitment of at least 1 shift / 3 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction day. This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know before you start your volunteering journey at the trust. This training is mandatory.
- To live our values through your volunteering role
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills.
- A buddy to support you through your initial induction.
- It can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum commitment has been met
- All our volunteering opportunity are opened 5 times a year.
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:
1) Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)
2) We require the following 3 forms of ID to process your application
A) 1 x passport
B) 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted)
C) 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months) If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.
About this role:
Almost 50% patients at Kingston Hospital over the age of 75 have dementia. This is almost double the national average for a hospital of our size. Volunteers play an important role in supporting patients with dementia and their families to have the best possible experience in hospital.
Dementia Volunteers work closely with the ward staff to create the best possible environment and personalised care for patients with dementia whilst in hospital. As a Dementia Volunteer you will be taking the time to get to know each patient and engaging them in activities that are tailored to their individual interests and abilities. This can significantly improve the patient’s wellbeing and help prevent functional decline. The skill, empathy and knowledge of Dementia Volunteers’ can also provide reassurance to family members that their loved one will receive the personalised care they need. You may assist with:
- Helping patients to use ReMe software for reminiscence, stimulation and comfort
- Sitting with the patient to provide companionship (and their carers as appropriate) to stimulate and engage in conversations on topics of interest to the patient.
- Bedside or group therapeutic activities
- Providing companionship at meal time and assistance to ensure mealtimes are pleasant and sociable for our patients with dementia.
- Helping patients with physical feeding and drinking when appropriate
- Listening to patients and helping them to express their views e.g using the Friends and Family Test and feeding back to the ward staff.
- Help at group activities designed to promote wellbeing for patients with dementia, e.g. Memory Lane Lunch Club, music club, pop-up hairdressing salon and gentle exercise.
- Ability to demonstrate a sense of maturity as well as compassion for others.
- Enthusiastic, patient, reliable and willing to learn how to communicate with and support people living with Dementia.
- Good communication and listening skills with a friendly attitude.
- An ability to use your own initiative and assume responsibility for ensuring staff are aware of any difficulties patients and careers are experiencing.
- Respect boundaries and understanding the importance of maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Over 16 years of age
- All Volunteer Visitors will require a DBS check
- Commitment of at least 1 shift / 3 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction day. This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know before you start your volunteering journey at the trust. This training is mandatory.
- Participation in the training relevant to your role and confidential discussion of any reasonable adjustments required to meet your needs.
- To live our values through your volunteering role
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills.
- A buddy to support you through your initial induction.
- It can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum commitment has been met.
- All our volunteering opportunity are opened 5 times a year.
- (Please note the volunteering tab will only be available when our roles are live)
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:
1) Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)
2) We require the following 3 forms of ID to process your application
A) 1 x passport
B) 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted)
C) 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months) If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.
About this role:
Nutrition is a key element of recovery for our patients, and many of them are elderly, or have dementia, and need physical assistance with feeding. As a Dining Companion, you will be assisting ward staff and patients during mealtimes, which includes feeding some patients who need extra help.
- Assisting the Nutrition Coordinator to deliver the right meal to each patient
- Positioning trays, cutlery, cups etc. on tables so that patients can easily access them
- Making sure patients have everything they need once their meal is served
- Offering companionship to patients who request this during their mealtime
- Encouraging and enabling patients to eat and drink
- Helping patients with physical feeding and drinking when appropriate
- Spotting ways to make the mealtime easier for patients, e.g. opening packets or cutting up food
- Requesting adapted cutlery for patients who could benefit
- Helping the ward hostess to collect finished trays
- Handing out menus for the following meal and helping patients to complete them
- Spotting simple ways to make patients more comfortable during mealtimes, e.g. getting an extra blanket ifsomeone is cold
- Completing Nutrition and Hydration Record Sheets as necessary for each patient you help
- Liaising with professional staff to seek help for patients if they need it
- Feeding back to your supervisor about your experiences
We aim to have Dining Companions in every medical ward for lunch and dinner, seven days a week. To support this,we ask volunteers to commit to one mealtime every week on a regular basis, for a minimum of six month. If you can give more time, we welcome this.
- Cover one shift a week for either Lunchtime – 12.00pm – 2.00pm or Dinner – 5.00pm – 7.00pm
- Can demonstrate a sense of maturity as well as compassion for others
- Good communication and listening skills with a friendly attitude
- An ability to use your own initiative
- Respect boundaries and confidentiality at all times
- Over 16 years of age
- All Dining Companions will require an Enhanced DBS check Commitment of
- at least 1 shift per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction day andbespoke / role specific training. This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know beforeyou start your volunteering journey at the trust. This training is mandatory.
- To live our values through your volunteering role.
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills.
- A buddy to support you through your initial induction.
- It can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum commitment has been met.
- All our volunteering opportunity are opened 5 times a year.
- (Please note the volunteering tab will only be available when our roles are live)
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:
1) Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)
2) We require the following 3 forms of ID to process your application
A) 1 x passport
B) 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted)
C) 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months) If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.
About this role:
As a Discharge Support On-Site Volunteer you will make a regular commitment to visiting the Hospital in order tohelp patients and hospital staff make arrangements for their safe discharge from Kingston Hospital.
- As a Discharge Support On-Site Volunteer you will be helping in the following ways:
- Having conversations with patients about their home and social life so that we can plan effectively for a safedischarge
- Going around our inpatient wards generating referrals (identifying patients who are suitable) for theDischarge Support Service
- Calling patients by telephone to make sure they consent to the service and are interested to take part
- Helping patients who are being discharged with packing and accompanying them to the discharge lounge.
- Doing some light grocery shopping using the Discharge Support Project fund to ensure that patients are goinghome with a provisions for their next two meals.
- Reliable – please give as much warning as possible if you cannot volunteer when expected.
- Safe – follow Kingston Hospital’s rules and procedures, including health and safety, infection control, safeguarding, equal opportunities and confidentiality.
- Involved -please participate in all relevant induction, training programs and supervision as relevant to your role(s).
- Team work – to volunteer under the direction and supervision of nominated staff and respect reasonable directions and instructions.
- Live our values – please be courteous and respectful to both the staff and the public with whom you interact in the course of your role.
- Can demonstrate a sense of maturity as well as compassion for others
- Are keen to help our patient, families and staff whilst learning a range of new skills
- Are caring, reliable and enjoy being with older people and people with diverse needs.
- Are able to communicate well with patients, their relatives/friends and other community services.
- Are able to support staff for the benefit of patients.
- Are able to use your own initiative and assume responsibility for ensuring staff are aware of any difficulties patients and carers are experiencing.
- Have strong personal boundaries and confident to sign-post patients and carers to alternative sources of support, advocacy and information e.g. PALs
- Understand the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.
- Over 18 years of age
- All Discharge Support Volunteer will require an Enhanced DBS check
- Commitment of
- at least 1 shift per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction day andbespoke / role specific training. This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know beforeyou start your volunteering journey at the trust.
- This training is mandatory.
- To live our values through your volunteering role
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills via in service training.
- A buddy to support you through your initial induction.
- It can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum 6 months commitment has been met.
- Mandatory Induction Day with relevant workshops and a bespoke briefing for your role
- A liaison member of staff, Harriet Dagnin, Volunteering Community & Outreach Manager, will be your contact and will try to answer any queries you have and offer day to day support
- A monthly group supervision and feedback meeting
- An App, My Impact to help manage your volunteering sessions
- Written briefings and additional specialist training on a project by project basis
- Invitations to attend Volunteering Service training, events and awards.
- Reliable – please give as much warning as possible if you cannot volunteer when expected.
- Safe – follow Kingston Hospital’s rules and procedures, including health and safety, infection control, safeguarding, equal opportunities and confidentiality.
- Involved – please participate in all relevant induction, training programs and supervision as relevant to your role(s).
- Team work – to volunteer under the direction and supervision of nominated staff and respect reasonable directions and instructions.
- Live our values – please be courteous and respectful to both the staff and the public with whom you interact in the course of your role.
- All our volunteering opportunity are opened 5 times a year. (Please note the volunteering tab will only be available when our roles are live)
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:
1) Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)
2) We require the following 3 forms of ID to process your application
A) 1 x passport
B) 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted)
C) 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months)
If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.
- Can demonstrate a sense of maturity as well as compassion for others
- Are keen to help our patient, families and staff whilst learning a range of new skills
- Are caring, reliable and enjoy being with older people and people with diverse needs.
- Are able to communicate well with patients, their relatives/friends and other community services.
- Are able to support staff for the benefit of patients.
- Are able to use your own initiative and assume responsibility for ensuring staff are aware of any difficulties patients and carers are experiencing.
- Have strong personal boundaries and confident to sign-post patients and carers to alternative sources of support, advocacy and information e.g. PALs
- Understand the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.
About this role:
The Emergency Department (ED) Volunteer provides the practical and emotional to patients while they are being assessed in our ED department. As a busy service, especially in the evenings and on weekends, The ED Volunteer is a front-of-house role. You will play an integral role in providing comfort and reassurance to patients. This involves practical tasks such as seeking and providing information about waiting times, making and serving refreshments ,offering family members and carers respite, sourcing clothing and other last minute items and providing targeted support for patients with Dementia to guarantee all patients and family members a positive patient experience in abusy and fast-paced service.
- This is a varied role which will depend on how busy the department is on any given day. However there are anumber of tasks and responsibilities that volunteers will be regularly asked to help with:
- Providing refreshments including tea, coffee and snacks to those who are able to have them
- Providing emotional support and reassurance to people, including patients and carers who may be anxious oralone
- Using your Dementia Awareness to support the elderly, who may be confused, disoriented or have a diagnosisof dementia or delirium.
- Encouraging children to interact with the toys provided or providing refreshments for parents and carers
- Liaising with staff to provide basic information to patients, e.g. waiting times and answering basic questionsabout their patient pathway – you will be provided with this information.
- Supporting Housekeeping staff by stocking supplies trolleys
- Running to the onsite Boots Pharmacy to collect deliver and collect prescriptions
- Accompanying patients to CT and other scan procedures to ensure they are in the right place at the right time
This role requires someone with the maturity, sensitivity and discretion to help people who are ill and are seeking help. The role involves volunteering in an often very busy environment and you need to be aware of the principles of confidentiality in a hospital environment. The ability to maintain patient and service-users’ confidentiality is paramount to this role.
Supervisor(s)
- Majors Lead
- ED Coordinators
- Nursing Staff & Health Care Assistants
- Over 18 years of age
- All Emergency Department volunteers will require a Standard DBS check
- Commitment of
- at least 1 shift per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction day andbespoke / role specific training. This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know beforeyou start your volunteering journey at the trust.
- This training is mandatory.
- To live our values through your volunteering role
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills.
- A buddy to support you through your initial induction.
- It can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please
- All our volunteering opportunity are opened 5 times a year.
- (Please note the volunteering tab will only be available when our roles are live)
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:
1) Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)
2) We require the following 3 forms of ID to process your application
A) 1 x passport
B) 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted)
C) 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months) If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.
About this role:
Elderly patients lose 2-5 % of their muscle strength daily with bed rest in Hospital. 10 days Bedrest is equivalent to10 years muscle ageing in the elderly. There is a big National drive around getting our Elderly patients out of bedand moving. The 1000 days campaign is about acknowledging that many of our Elderly patients have a lifeexpectancy of up to 1000 days.The focus is on doing what we can to maintain their function in Hospital to maximize their quality of life ondischarge home to a place of choice. Gentle Movement Volunteers are essential to helping our elderly patientsmaintain their strength and function through exercises whilst in Hospital.Volunteers will be connecting with patients across our 3 Care of The Elderly wards. Physiotherapists will prescribespecific exercises tailored to each patient which the volunteers will practice with the patients.
- Liaising with Physiotherapy team to gather a list of patients to see each shift
- Promoting patient safety whilst in hospital through regular movement, nutrition and hydration.
- Approaching patients and encouraging them to take up Gentle Movement sessions
- Following a prescribed prone or chair based exercise programme.
- Supporting exercise classes provided by physiotherapy team.
- Demonstrating exercises for patients and encouraging them to take part
- Reporting on any challenges experienced by the patient back to a clinical member of staff
- Can demonstrate a sense of maturity as well as compassion and empathy for others
- Good communication and listening skills with a friendly attitude are essential as many of our patients havebarriers to communication such as deafness and dementia.
- An ability to use your own initiative and creative way to get patients moving
- Respect boundaries and confidentiality at all times
- No specific physio skills are needed, however volunteers should have an interest in promoting patients healthand well -being.
- Willing to use own technology, e.g. downloading the My Impact app to book shifts
- Over 16 years of age. Operational hours are Monday – Friday 10am – 4:30pm
- All Gentle Movement Volunteers will require an Enhanced DBS check
- Commitment of
- at least 1 shift per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction day and bespoke / role specific training. This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know before you start your volunteering journey at the trust. This training is mandatory.
- To live our values through your volunteering role at Kingston Hospital.
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- 121 support from one of our Peer Support Volunteers.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills.
- Bespoke training from our physiotherapy team.
- The experience can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum commitment has been met.
- All our volunteering opportunity are opened 5 times a year.
- (Please note the volunteering tab will only be available when our roles are live)
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:
1) Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)
2) We require the following 3 forms of ID to process your application
A) 1 x passport
B) 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted)
C) 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months) If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.
About this role:
Paediatric Play Volunteers support our young patients aged 0-18 attending across the Paediatric wards and clinics by offering craft and play activities and story-telling in waiting areas and inpatient wards and paediatric A&E. This role is best suited to Volunteers who are enthusiastic, creative, patient and sensitive to the difficulties faced by children in Hospital for any length of time.
Based in the inpatient play areas and other paediatric areas across the Hospital, Volunteers use variety of toys, books, craft material and their own creative ideas to engage young people through play to support them whilst they wait to be seen by a Nurse or Doctor. Activities can be done at the bedside with children and in small groups in the well-stocked play rooms.
- Taking a creative approach to engaging young people whilst they wait to be seen by a health care professional.
- Designing simple single-use games and activities for young people to do, e.g. drama and interactive games
- Reading and telling stories
- Encourage family member to respond to the Friends & Family Test
- Provide basic information about the paediatrics clinics, and what people can expect
- Providing information about a range of facilities, e.g. restaurants, baby change areas
- Basic sanitising of toys using detergent wipes (provided) between each child who plays with them.
- Understanding the Health & Safety of the play area . Reporting any concerns immediately to a member of staff.
- Taking an active and visible role to promote patient, visitor and volunteers’ Health & Safety, Infection Control,
- Child Protection and other key policies as relevant to this role.
- Can demonstrate a sense of maturity as well as compassion for others
- Good communication and listening skills with a friendly attitude
- An ability to use your own initiative
- A calm manner and ability to maintain personal boundaries
- Respect confidentiality at all times
- A creative approach to play, e.g. thinking of games with paper and pen
- Active listening skills and a warm and empathic manner
- Basic literacy (reading), story-telling skills are helpful, but not essential to this role
- Over 18 years of age
- All Paediatric Play Volunteer will require a Standard DBS check
- Commitment of at least 1 shift per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction day and
- bespoke / role specific training. This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know before
- you start your volunteering journey at the trust. This training is mandatory.
- To live our values through your volunteering role
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills.
- A buddy to support you through your initial induction.
- It can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum commitment has been met.
- All our volunteering opportunity are opened 5 times a year. Please note the volunteering tab will only be available when our roles are live
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:
1) Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)
2) We require the following 3 forms of ID to process your application
A) 1 x passport
B) 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted)
C) 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months)
If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.
About this role:
As a Patient Experience Volunteer you will be supporting patients, carers and family members to give feedback andtake part in other activities that help us to improve the services and care we provide. Volunteers help patients tocomplete the Friends & Family Test and help us to find our patients views on improvements.
There is also the chance for volunteers to get involved in our quality improvement projects. The informationvolunteers gather contributes to the quality of services and care at Kingston Hospital.
- As a Patient Experience Volunteer you will be helping in the following ways:
- Enabling patients, carers’ and family members to complete the Friends & Family Test throughout their hospitalstay
- Sign-posting patients, carers and other users of the hospital to additional ways to give their feedback, e.g.Patient Advice & Liaison Service
- Helping with patient surveys (supporting patients to complete the survey)
- Helping to gather data for quality improvement initiatives, through interviews, mystery shopping andobserving how services operate.
- Supporting patient engagement events
- Providing admin support, for example inputting data from FFT or improvement initiatives or patient surveys
- Participating in supervision sessions to discuss common themes and priorities that you have identifiedthrough conducting patient experience research.
- Can demonstrate a sense of maturity as well as compassion for others
- Good communication and listening skills with a friendly attitude
- An ability to use your own initiative
- Respect boundaries and confidentiality at all times
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills via in service training.
- A buddy to support you through your initial induction.
- It can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum 6 months commitment has been met.
- Mandatory Induction Day with relevant workshops and a bespoke briefing for your role
- A liaison member of staff, Harriet Dagnin, Volunteering Community & Outreach Manager, will be your contact and will try to answer any queries you have and offer day to day support
- A monthly group supervision and feedback meeting
- An App, My Impact to help manage your volunteering sessions
- Written briefings and additional specialist training on a project by project basis
- Invitations to attend Volunteering Service training, events and awards.
- Reliable – please give as much warning as possible if you cannot volunteer when expected.
- Safe – follow Kingston Hospital’s rules and procedures, including health and safety, infection control, safeguarding, equal opportunities and confidentiality.
- Involved – please participate in all relevant induction, training programs and supervision as relevant to your role(s).
- Team work – to volunteer under the direction and supervision of nominated staff and respect reasonable directions and instructions.
- Live our values – please be courteous and respectful to both the staff and the public with whom you interact in the course of your role.
- All our volunteering opportunity are opened 5 times a year. Please note the volunteering tab will only be available when our roles are live
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:
1) Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)
2) We require the following 3 forms of ID to process your application
A) 1 x passport
B) 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted)
C) 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months)
If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.
- Can demonstrate a sense of maturity as well as compassion for others
- Are keen to help our patient, families and staff whilst learning a range of new skills
- Are caring, reliable and enjoy being with older people and people with diverse needs.
- Are able to communicate well with patients, their relatives/friends and other community services.
- Are able to support staff for the benefit of patients.
- Are able to use your own initiative and assume responsibility for ensuring staff are aware of any difficulties patients and carers are experiencing.
- Have strong personal boundaries and confident to sign-post patients and carers to alternative sources of support, advocacy and information e.g. PALs
- Understand the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality at all times.
About this role:
Kingston Hospital is a welcoming and dog-friendly hospital that greatly values the interactions between visiting Pets as Therapy (PAT) dogs with patients, their family and friends, and with staff. Pets as Therapy is a national charity founded in 1983. The aim is to enhance health and wellbeing in the community through the visits of trusted volunteers with their behaviourally assessed animals.
It’s well-known (and scientifically prove) that interaction with a gentle, friendly pet has significant benefits in relation to both physical and mental health and a visit by PAT dogs of all sizes brings a smile to many faces. Volunteers and their PAT accredited dogs can visit almost all parts of the hospital including wards and clinics as well as staff areas. Visits may occur either with the direct involvement of staff or simply by introducing yourself and your dog to individuals.
PAT dog Volunteers need to first have their dogs assessed and accredited by Pets as Therapy before applying to the Hospital to visit as a Volunteer (see https://petsastherapy.org/join-us/join-pat-dog/ for more details). Dogs will need to be at least nine months old and the owners must have had them for at least six months. A modest annual fee is paid to the charity which amongst other things provides insurance cover for PAT visiting purposes. Pets as Therapy also sell “livery” for both the dog and owner.
- Can demonstrate a sense of maturity as well as compassion for others
- Good communication and listening skills with a friendly attitude
- An ability to use your own initiative
- Respect boundaries and confidentiality at all times
- Over 18 years of age
- All Volunteer Visitors will require a DBS check
- Commitment of at least 1 shift / 3 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction day. This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know before you start your volunteering journey at the trust. This training is mandatory.
- Participation in the training relevant to your role and confidential discussion of any reasonable adjustments required to meet your needs.
- To live our values through your volunteering role
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills.
- A buddy to support you through your initial induction.
- It can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum commitment has been met.
- All our volunteering opportunity are opened 5 times a year. (Please note the volunteering tab will only be available when our roles are live)
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:
1) Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)
2) We require the following 3 forms of ID to process your application
A) 1 x passport
B) 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted)
C) 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months)
If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.
About this role:
As a volunteer visitor you will visit patients, who may be lonely, anxious or possibly don’t receive visits whilst a patient at the hospital. You will meet a wide range of patients as you move around the ward that you are assigned to. Often patients just want someone to talk to, but you might be involved in playing a game, reading a book with a patient or handing out puzzle sand crosswords to help patients to pass the time.
Each visit will be different and you will build a rapport with the patients you meet, exploring their personal interests.
- Can demonstrate a sense of maturity as well as compassion for others
- Good communication and listening skills with a friendly attitude
- An ability to use your own initiative
- Respect boundaries and confidentiality at all times
- Over 16 years of age
- All Dining Companions will require an Enhanced DBS check
- Commitment of
- at least 1 shift per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction day and bespoke /role specific training. This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know before you start your volunteering journey at the trust.
- This training is mandatory.
- To live our values through your volunteering role
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills.
- A buddy to support you through your initial induction.
- It can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum commitment has been met.
- All our volunteering opportunity are opened 5 times a year. Please note the volunteering tab will only be available when our roles are live
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:
1) Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)
2) We require the following 3 forms of ID to process your application
A) 1 x passport
B) 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted)
C) 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months)
If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.
About this role:
Our refurbished Main Outpatients Department is one of the busiest in the area. Our Welcomer volunteers located in the Main Outpatients and Main Reception Entrance are the first point of contact for patients and visitors when they arrive at the hospital. They are a friendly, welcoming face and have a good knowledge of the hospital and the services offered. They help patients and visitors to navigate the different sections of MOPD, and improve visitor experience to the hospital.
Navigating can involve simple sign-posting to ensure that patients and visitors can get to wherever they need to go. More often, Navigators are guides, accompanying people across the hospital site, providing clear information about the hospital and the services available to patients. They also help to resolve customer service issues and sign-post people to other services, such as Patient Advice and Liaison Service. They also ask people about their experience at Kingston Hospital and capture feedback through the Friends & Family Test.
This role requires volunteers who are physically fit, and able to be standing or walking for most of the shift. The volunteers should thrive in a busy environment, enjoy meeting and interacting with all types of people, so good communication skills are essential. The role involves volunteering in an often very busy environment and you need to be aware of the principles of confidentiality in a hospital environment.
- Welcoming patients and visitors to the Main Outpatients Department.
- Encouraging patients to use self-check-in kiosks and answer any questions about where their appointmentsare located and the ‘patient calling’ system.
- Explaining the support and services available to patients, eg Boots, RVS café, toilets
- Collecting patient feedback using the Friends & Family Test.
- Listening to visitors concerns, and where appropriate, directing them to a member of staff or support servicethat can help.
- Signposting patients and visitors to PALS or Complaints as appropriate.
- Can demonstrate a sense of maturity as well as compassion for others
- Good communication and listening skills with a friendly attitude
- An ability to use your own initiative
- Respect boundaries and confidentiality at all times
- Over 16 years of age
- All Welcomer Volunteers will require an Standard DBS check
- Commitment of at least 1 shift per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction day and bespoke / role specific training. This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know before you start your volunteering journey at the trust.
- This training is mandatory.
- To live our values through your volunteering role
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills.
- A buddy to support you through your initial induction.
- It can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum commitment has been met.
- All our volunteering opportunity are opened 5 times a year. Please note the volunteering tab will only be available when our roles are live
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:
1) Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)
2) We require the following 3 forms of ID to process your application
A) 1 x passport
B) 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted)
C) 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months)
If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.
About this role:
Gardener volunteers help with a wide range of tasks including planting, weeding and pruning. This role supports the smooth running of hospitals planted communal areas for both staff and patients. This role is best suited to volunteers who are green fingered, understand the changing seasons and have a good understanding of plant identification, care and maintenance. If you have a passion for plants and close to nature this is the role for you.
- Watering
- Weeding
- Mowing the lawn
- Planting flowers in borders and in containers
- Pruning hedges
- Mulching
- Keeping the garden and the shed neat and tidy
Whilst no professional experience is required, a good plant knowledge and an understanding of the changing seasons and how this affects plant growth is essential.
- Passionate about horticulture
- Love of nature
- Reliable and committed
- An ability to use your own initiative
- Happy to conduct the role independently
- ·Willing to conduct the role outdoors (in all weathers)
- An understanding of health and safety including tool use and safe working practice
- Over 16 years of age
- All Gardening Volunteers will require an Standard DBS check
- Commitment of at least 1 shift per week for a minimum of 6 months
- Live, work or study within a 5 mile radius of Kingston Hospital
- Before you get started with your volunteering role, you will be invited to attend the Volunteer Induction day and
- bespoke / role specific training. This will give you a full insight into the basic things that you need to know before
- you start your volunteering journey at the trust. This training is mandatory.
- To live our values through your volunteering role
- Join an enthusiastic volunteering team of people who want to make a difference, just like you.
- Learn new skills and develop existing skills.
- A buddy to support you through your initial induction.
- It can contribute to your personal development and confidence.
- You will be making an important contribution to your local community throughout your volunteering journey at the hospital.
- Invitation to 2 x annual awards to celebrate the support our volunteers give. An opportunity to meet other volunteers at the trust.
- Annual refresher training.
- A reference to support applications – please kindly note that this is only provided after our minimum commitment has been met.
- All our volunteering opportunities are opened 6 times a year. Please note the volunteering tab will only be available when our roles are live
- You will be invited to complete an online application via TRAC (online recruitment tool)
- Should your application be successful we will offer you an interview, it is essential that you bring the following to your interview:
- Email address for 2 x references (Please kindly note – 1 of the 2 references must have known you for longer than 3 year, we are happy to accept a character reference from a friend, but not a family member)
- We require all of the following 3 forms of ID to process your application
- 1 x passport
- 1 x driving licence (a provisional licence is accepted)
- 2 x utility bill or bank statement (this must be dated within the last 3 months)
If you don’t have these items please contact the team asap to discuss further.