Thanks for your interest in volunteering at ESNEFT. We've included a lot of information about our volunteering opportunities and our selection criteria on this page. Please read through all information prior to applying and only apply if you meet the requirements stated, taking note of the commitment we ask for and the location of each role. We also ask you to apply for one role only – applications for multiple roles will not be considered.
I would like to volunteer
Volunteer Opportunities
Ward-Based Volunteer - Colchester & Ipswich only
🌟 Volunteer With Us – Make a Real Difference Every Day
Are you compassionate, reliable, and looking to give back to your community?
We are seeking Ward-Based Volunteers to support patients and staff across our hospital wards. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients’ experiences during their stay.
💙 What You’ll Be Doing:
As a valued volunteer, you may:
- 💬 Provide companionship and reassurance to patients
- 🥣 Support patients with feeding and assisting at mealtimes
- 🤝 Spend time with and support patients living with dementia, completing 'This is Me' paperwork or supporting engagement on 'magic tables'
- 👋 Offer a warm welcome to patients and visitors
- 📝 Assist with basic paperwork and administrative tasks
- 📦 Help clinical staff by keeping ward stocks replenished and organised
🌈 What We’re Looking For:
- Good communication skills
- A caring and patient nature
- Reliability and commitment
- Respect for confidentiality and dignity
- A self-motivated individual who has the ability to work as part of a team or independently when needed
No clinical experience is required — just kindness, enthusiasm, and a willingness to help.
✨ Why Volunteer With Us?
- Make a real difference to patient care
- Gain valuable experience within the NHS
- Develop new skills and confidence
- Be part of a supportive and friendly team
Your time could mean comfort, dignity, and reassurance for someone when they need it most.
🕒 Time Commitment:
We are looking for a commitment of around 4 hours on the same time/day each week with shifts available 8am-6pm Monday-Sunday (if applying for evening or weekends shift please note, you must be able to attend an interview, trial shift and induction during office hours between 8am-4pm Monday-Friday).
📩 Interested? Apply today and help us create a positive hospital experience for every patient.
Welfare and Safety Net Volunteer (Colchester Only)
Would you like to ensure patients have settled back at home following discharge from the hospital?
Are you friendly, with a good telephone manner?
Do you want to support the hospital in admin based role?
Then our Transfer of Care Hub would love to meet you.
You will be based directly with the Transfer of Care Hub in this role supporting successful hospital discharges by calling pre-identified patients within 24 hours of leaving care at ESNEFT.
Using a defined set of questions, volunteers will quickly be able to identify if further support is required to help a patient settle back into home life. Following the call from a volunteer, those who need support will be connected by the relevant services who can help.
If you'd like to play your part in supporting hospital discharges and are looking for direct patient contact (via the telephone) this is a great role for you. You will need to be confident in talking to others and able to accurately record conversations and outcomes on a spreadsheet.
Shifts currently available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10am-4pm and Wednesday 10am-1pm.
Emergency Department Support Volunteer - Colchester only
🌟 Volunteer Opportunity: Emergency Department Support 🌟
Are you passionate about helping others and making a real difference in your community? Join our team as a Volunteer in the Emergency Department (ED) at Colchester Hospital, and be a vital part of supporting patients, visitors, and staff during times of urgent need.
📍 Locations:
- Colchester Hospital
🕒 Time Commitment:
We are looking for a commitment of around 4 hours on the same time/day each week
Currently shifts are available
- Monday 12-10pm
- Tuesday 4-10pm
- Wednesday 8am-10pm
- Thursday 8am-3pm
- Friday 8am-10pm
- Saturday 8am-10pm
- Sunday 8am-10pm
If applying for evening or weekend shift please note, you must be able to attend an interview, trial shift and induction during office hours to complete our recruitment process which are between 8am-4pm Monday-Friday.
About the Role:
As a Volunteer in our busy Emergency Department, you’ll provide compassionate, non-clinical support to patients, families, and staff. This is a highly rewarding role for individuals who are calm under pressure, friendly, and proactive.
Your responsibilities may include:
- Offering reassurance and a friendly presence to patients and visitors
- Provide nutritional support/refreshments to patients and visitors
- Helping patients navigate the department (where appropriate)
- Assisting with basic comfort measures (e.g. fetching blankets or water)
- Supporting staff with non-medical tasks to improve patient experience
- Keeping waiting areas tidy and welcoming
Who We’re Looking For:
- Warm, approachable, and empathetic individuals
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Reliable, punctual, and committed to helping others
- Able to maintain confidentiality and remain calm in a busy environment
- Minimum age: 17
Previous experience in healthcare or volunteering is welcome but not essential – full training will be provided.
What You’ll Gain:
- Experience in a fast-paced hospital setting
- Valuable skills in communication and patient support
- Confidence and fulfilment from helping others
- A supportive team and ongoing training opportunities
How to Apply:
If you’re ready to make a difference and become part of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) volunteer community, we’d love to hear from you!
👉 Complete our application form
📧 Or contact our Voluntary Services team: Volunteers@esneft.nhs.uk
📞 Phone: 01473 704473
Together, we can make every moment count in the Emergency Department. Join us today.
Hospital Radio Ipswich IT Support - Ipswich only
Would you like to make a difference to a patient's hospital stay?
Do you have good problem solving skills?
Do you have a good understanding of IT, particularly equipment and software or audio equipment?
If you answered yes to all of these, Hospital Radio Ipswich would love to hear from you. Hospital Radio Ipswich are seeking volunteers with an interest in IT and the confidence to problem solve independently to help the radio to maintain broadcasting.
Ideally you need the knowledge and skills to look after networks of PCs, as well as the desire to support developed software and websites.
Flexibility within the role is required to maintain broadcasting. Volunteers will be on call to support as required.
If this sounds like something you'd like to try and you have the flexibility to be on call and respond to requests for support, sometimes at short notice, we would love to hear from you.
Therapy Dog - Aldeburgh, Colchester, Felixstowe & Ipswich only)
Is your dog a registered therapy dog?
Are you looking for a new placement for your therapy dog?
If you answered yes to all of these, our staff would love to meet you.
At ESNEFT we are looking for registered therapy dogs to visit our wards and departments. We currently work with both Pets As Therapy and Essex Therapy Dogs (providing your dog isn't raw meat fed). We are seeking volunteers and their therapy dogs to:
- provide therapeutic visits,
- offer companionship and friendship to our patients, visitors and staff.
Volunteers can help to improve the patient experience through animal assisted interventions as part of a holistic approach to treatment. Providing conversation and stimulation – being a listening ear for patients’ worries and anxieties.
Volunteers will need to work in partnership with staff to help to improve the patient & carer experience through co-design & proactive involvement – engaging with patients & carers on a one-to-one basis through ward and clinic visits.
You will be required to maintain therapy registration for your dog throughout the whole period you are volunteering with us and be required to provide proof of registration.
If this sounds like something you'd like to try and you can spare 2-4 hours on the same time/day each week, we would love to hear from you.
Weekend and evening availability is limited so please check before applying by emailing Volunteers@esneft.nhs.uk.
Discharge Lounge Volunteer - Colchester Only
Are you friendly and polite?
Are you caring and compassionate?
Do you have good communication skills?
If you answered yes to all of these, our Discharge Lounge team would love to meet you.
Our Discharge Lounge are looking for volunteers to support patients who are waiting to leave the hospital after admission by:
- chatting with patients and keeping them company within the Discharge Lounge,
- supplying refreshments to patients whilst they are waiting,
- assisting staff with light duties including bed making, meal delivery, etc,
- assisting with general admin tasks including photocopying, filing, making up discharge packs.
Shifts currently available Monday & Wednesday 1:30-6pm, Tuesday, & Friday, 7am-6pm and Thursday 10am-6pm.
If this sounds like something you'd like to try and you can spare 2-4 hours on the same time/day each week, we would love to hear from you.
Grounds & Garden Volunteer - Colchester
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Seedbed preparation.
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Vegetable and flower planting, maintenance and harvesting
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Pruning
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General garden maintenance
If this sounds like something you'd like to try, please complete our online application form and we will be in touch or pop to our Wellbeing Garden on a Wednesday morning and speak to Alison from RHS.
Frailty Assessment Volunteer - Ipswich only
🌟 Volunteer Opportunity: Frailty Assessment Volunteer at Ipswich Hospital 🌟
Do you want to make a real difference to patients’ lives?
Ipswich Hospital is looking for compassionate and enthusiastic volunteers to join our team as Frailty Assessment Volunteers.
🕒 Time Commitment:
We are looking for a commitment of around 4 hours on the same time/day each week
Currently shifts are available Monday & Friday 8am-4pm, Tuesday 8-10am and Wednesday 12-4pm & Thursday 2-4pm.
About the Role
As a Frailty Assessment Volunteer, you will support our clinical teams in identifying patients who may be frail. This is an essential part of ensuring patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place.
Your role may include:
✅ Talking with patients in a friendly and supportive manner
✅ Helping patients complete simple questionnaires and assessments
✅ Assisting staff with non-clinical tasks to support patient wellbeing
✅ Providing reassurance and companionship to patients
What We’re Looking For
- Friendly, caring, and approachable individuals
- Good communication and listening skills
- Reliability and willingness to commit to the same shift each week
- No previous medical experience is needed – full training and support provided
- Minimum age: 18
What You’ll Gain
- The chance to make a meaningful difference to patients and their families
- Experience working alongside a hospital team
- Training, support, and recognition of your contribution
- New friendships and skills
Location
🩺 Ipswich Hospital, Heath Road, Ipswich
How to Apply
If you’d like to be part of our volunteering community, please contact:
📧 Contact our Voluntary Services team: Volunteers@esneft.nhs.uk
📞 Phone: 01473 704473
🌐 Complete our online application form
Join us in making a positive difference today!
Renal Unit, Dialysis Support - Aldeburgh & Colchester only
Are you empathetic and supportive towards others?
Can you provide emotional reassurance and practical support to ensure the best possible patient experience during a stressful time?
Can you think on your feet and use your own initiative, as well as being a friendly face to put our most vulnerable patients at ease?
If you answered yes to all of these, our Renal Dialysis teams would love to meet you.
ESNEFT Renal Dialysis Units are currently seeking volunteers to come in and provide much needed support to our patients and staff by:
- offering communication support to patients and staff crews,
- chatting with and listening to patients whilst they have dialysis, ensuring they are comfortable during their treatment,
- supporting patients by opening food items and ensuring they are within easy reach,
- offering companionship to patients, perhaps reading to them, completing puzzles or helping them to access the TV or radio,
- running errands for the department.
This would be the perfect role if you like seeing the same patients each week. This is a unique opportunity to witness treatment methods and increase awareness in an area that will affect most people at some point in life.
Currently shifts are available at the following locations.
Aldeburgh Hospital, Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8am-5pm.
Colchester Hospital, Thursday 12:30-5pm, Tuesday 8-10:30am, Wednesday and Friday & Saturday 8am-5pm.
If this sounds like something you'd like to try and you can spare 2-4 hours on the same time/day each week, we would love to hear from you.
Due to the nature of the role, this is open to applicants over the age of 18.
Collingwood Centre Volunteer - Colchester Only
Do you like to have a chat and a cuppa, whilst getting your steps in too?
Can you provide emotional reassurance and practical support to ensure the best possible patient experience during a stressful time?
If you answered yes to all of these, our Collingwood Centre at Colchester would love to meet you.
Our busy Collingwood Centre day unit sees 60-100 patients per day looking after our patients while they are going through their cancer treatment. We are currently seeking volunteers to come in and provide much needed support to our patients and staff by:
- making drinks for patients, visitors and staff,
- keeping our bookshelves and magazine racks tidy and rotating stock,
- talking to patients and visitors,
- reading to patients and keeping them company,
- completing general admin tasks like making up new patient packs,
- helping the housekeeper with other light duties including restocking supplies, collecting medications, etc.
Current shifts are available
- Monday 1-6:30pm
- Wednesday 9am-1pm
- Thursday 4-6:30pm
- Friday 3:30-6:30pm.
If this sounds like something you'd like to try and you can spare 2-4 hours on the same time/day each week, we would love to hear from you.
Due to the nature of this role it is open to over 18s only.
Welcome Service Volunteers - Colchester only
Do you have a positive outlook?
Are you willing to help others and provide a professional service to our patients and visitors?
Do you have good knowledge of the hospital or do you find it easy to find your way in new environments?
If you answered yes to all of these, we would love to meet you.
Have you ever been lost in a busy environment where everyone else seems to know where to go? That's the way it can feel to our patients and visitors when moving through the hospital. Colchester Hospital are seeking volunteers who can make a big difference to all our patients and visitors. Our Welcome Service Volunteers are amongst the most visible volunteers in the building and get involved in much more than pointing people in the right direction. From finding lost relatives in the carpark to assisting patients with wheelchairs… no day is like the other. You could help us by:
- welcoming patients and visitors to the hospital,
- offering directions to departments,
- escorting patients and visitors to where they need to go including pushing patients in wheelchairs (after appropriate training),
- assisting patients to use check-in kiosks
- providing additional information e.g. car parking, toilets, etc,
- repatriating wheelchairs to waiting areas.
Roles available at the Main Entrance, Outpatients & the Primary Care Centre but shift available varies by location.
Currently shifts are available
- Monday 8am-12:30pm
- Tuesday 8am-5pm
- Wednesday 8am-5pm
- Friday 8am-5pm
If this sounds like something you'd like to try and you can spare 2-4 hours on the same time/day each week, we would love to hear from you.
Important Information and ESNEFT Mission Statement
Important Information About Volunteering at ESNEFT
Getting here
If you have a journey time of more than one hour to get to us, we find that it makes it difficult to sustain a regular commitment and can prove expensive to volunteer. Currently we are limited on the amount we can reimburse for out of pocket expenses. For these reasons, if you live more than an hour away we encourage you to volunteer at your local hospital.
The types of roles that we offer and their minimum commitments
We offer three main types of roles. As part of the application process, you will be asked to select one type of role you are most interested in. These roles are:
1. Ward-based roles supporting inpatients: We ask for a regular commitment of the same time/day each week for a minimum of 6 months. We recommend one shift per week, for 2-4 hours.
2. Roles supporting outpatients, and welcoming and guiding: We ask for a regular commitment of the same time/day each week for a minimum of six months. We recommend one shift per week, for 2-4 hours.
3. More specific support and administrative roles: We ask for a regular commitment of the same time/day each week for a minimum of six months. We recommend one shift per week, for 2-4 hours.
Ad-hoc roles: These are available in specific departments but ad-hoc shifts cannot be offered within the roles listed above.
Youth volunteering: If you are aged 16-17 years (or 18 years if still in sixth form/college) we have a special youth volunteering programme offering a summer scheme, after school and weekend opportunities. The minimum age to volunteer is 16 years. All placements are for a minimum of 50 hours.
We need our volunteers to be proactive and resourceful. Whilst we recognise that parents/carers want to support their young person - allowing them the freedom to complete this process independently provides the best opportunity to learn skills for the future. With this in mind we will only liaise directly with applicants themselves unless there is a prior agreement in place.
Looking for work experience, internships, or clinical placements? We are sorry but we are unable to advise on work experience, internships or clinical placements. To find further information on work experience please refer to the ESNEFT website here.
Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back to your community, learn new skills, and connect with others. It can be incredibly fulfilling, and we are grateful to those who generously donate their time and expertise. However, it’s essential to recognize that while volunteering has many benefits, it isn’t always a direct gateway to paid work and the voluntary services team cannot advise on any paid roles within ESNEFT. Please click here for further information on paid employment.
The process of becoming a volunteer at ESNEFT
- Apply online: Complete our short online form and submit it to us. We’ll call you for a quick chat about your interest in volunteering – if we agree that volunteering is right for you - we’ll send you a link to our application form. If applying online is difficult for you, please contact us.
- Informal interview: We’ll meet face to face to talk about your interest in volunteering, take proofs of identification and, dependent upon the role you’re interested in, set you up with a 1 hour taster session. If you’re applying for ward based roles we may be able to arrange further taster shifts during the registration process.
- Online checks: Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check, Occupational Health and references. If successful, we’ll set up online checks which are an essential part of the registration process. We use your ID for the DBS check, we usually ask for 2 referees and the occupational health team will ask for proof of your vaccination history.
- Complete online volunteer training: All volunteers are required to complete online training before they start in their role. Training includes topics such as patient confidentiality, infection control and safeguarding to name a few. Some roles will require role specific training which we’ll set up as required.
- Induction: Following the completion of the online checks and training, we’ll arrange your induction which will provide you with all the information you need to help you in your volunteering role at ESNEFT.
- Start volunteering.
On average it can take 6 to 8 weeks to go through this process and start volunteering with us. If you’re applying for ward based roles we may be able to arrange further taster shifts during the registration process.
Do you need additional support to volunteer? Please let us know by sending a message to volunteers@esneft.nhs.uk. We can arrange time for a chat.
Is hospital volunteering right for you? Before you apply to volunteer, it is really important that you take into account that hospital volunteering can be physically and emotionally demanding. If you have recently, or are currently dealing with any kind of medical diagnosis either yourself, as a relative or close friend this may not be the best time for you to volunteer in a hospital. Specifically – if you or someone you are close to has been affected by cancer, we ask that you leave a period of two years before applying.
At East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) we provide hospital and community health care services for Colchester, Ipswich and local areas.
Our mission is to continue to meet the principles of the NHS identified in 1948, that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of ability to pay.
