Come and join us!
Volunteering for West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust gives the opportunity to share your skills, knowledge and time with our patients. Volunteers are a very valued part of our team and the difference they make to both staff and patients is enormous.
We have a wide variety of roles to suit all ages and are always on the lookout for new volunteers to join our friendly team. You may be just the right person for us and we may have just the right volunteer role for you.
If you are aged 16-19, in education, or a university/post graduate student, please apply via our Student Volunteering Programme application form.
Process
On receipt of your application we will arrange for you to come along to talk about the options further. At this point we will take up your references.
If successful after interview, you will be required to complete a DBS check and undergo health screening, which will all be online.
Once this is all complete, you will receive access to our e-learning modules, which require completing before starting.
The whole process can take up to 2 months from submitting your application to starting in a role.
Commitment
For your guidance, we ask for a regular commitment for a minimum of 6 months. 3-4 hours per week or sessions as part of a rota is usual.
See the range of opportunities we are currently recruiting for below. These roles are regularly reviewed and updated so if you don't see anything that interests you today, please do check back again later.
Volunteers assist our Chaplains to provide a Chaplaincy for everyone – regardless of faith or belief, and undertake a variety of roles in the department.
Roles include supporting Chaplaincy staff, visiting patients on the wards, welcoming visitors to the Chapel and being a listening ear to staff.
To help the Speech and Language team run a Communication Hub monthly group in the community for people living with acquired Communication Difficulties (for example due to Stroke or conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease) and their carers/family members. Volunteers will be able to make teas and coffees and engage with people attending the group.
The group takes place at Southgate Community Centre on the Third Wednesday of every month from 10am - 12.45pm
Volunteers will offer help and support to patients and relatives attending the Emergency Department making their time as comfortable and stress free as possible. This is a busy, active role where volunteers will help the flow of the department
Current availability: Wednesday afternoon, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday early evening.
The Friends of West Suffolk Hospital support the hospital through fundraising. The Friends Shop provides shopping facilities in the main entrance of West Suffolk Hospital, proceeds from which are 'gifted' back to our hospital. A ward trolley service for patients to purchase items is also provided.
Current availability: Monday - Sunday 8.30am - 1pm, 1pm - 4.30pm & 4.30pm - 8pm
A Volunteer will support a therapeutic gardening group based at the Sudbury Health Centre for local patients of the community services.
The volunteer will support and encourage attendees to participate in any way they can. The volunteer will be able to teach participants new skills with the support of the Occupational Therapists.
Current availability: Every Wednesday 9.30 - 11.30am
To offer support to the library team, welcoming people who come in and helping with the smooth running of the service.
Volunteer needed Thursday's 9am -1pm
To generally assist with the smooth running of the unit by undertaking non-nursing duties under the direction of nursing staff .Tasks include talking to patients, making drinks and giving out snacks for patients under the direction of staff.
Current availability: Wednesday and Friday mornings and afternoons.
My WiSH Charity aims to enhance care for patients and support staff across West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, including West Suffolk Hospital, Newmarket Community Hospital, Glastonbury Court, and community services.
Volunteers can support with charity events out in the community, attending cheque presentations, awareness stands, seasonal events, and administrational duties. The charity also welcome volunteers who are looking to share their expertise in skills such as grant writing and fundraising.
Due to the nature of charity events, the team is keen to hear from volunteers looking to support on an ad-hoc basis, which can include evenings and weekends. Weekly availability on set days or times is not required.
This is an important role for volunteers who spend time with patients on Rosemary Ward talking, listening, tidying and providing non-nursing help and support to staff. Volunteers also assist with giving out meals, opening any food packaging, cutting food into manageable pieces and ensuring patients can access their food.
Current availability: a variety of days and times.
Volunteers support paediatric clinical staff and the health play specialist. They engage children in purposeful activities and provide non-nursing support to staff.
Current availability: every day mornings, afternoons and early evenings.
Volunteers will support our Therapy team to interact with patients that have had a stroke and undertaking rehabilitation to help them reach their goals prior to leaving hospital. This will be a hugely rewarding role for volunteers.
Current availability: Monday to Friday 9am - 12.30pm
Volunteers will be able to talk to patients and reduce anxiety prior to going into theatre for surgery in the bed wait area and in the recovery area post surgery. Volunteers will be required to wear appropriate PPE.
Currently availability: Monday 8am - 1pm
This is an important role for volunteers who spend time with patients on our wards talking, listening, tidying, shopping and providing non-nursing help and support to staff. Volunteers also assist with giving out meals, opening any food packaging, cutting food into manageable pieces and ensuring patients can access their food. This role is also available on our Maternity Ward.
Current availability: a variety of days and times
Our student volunteer programme is an excellent opportunity for sixth form and college students to regularly volunteer on a busy ward helping ward staff and patients at mealtimes. This is especially useful for any student considering a career in healthcare or hoping to study medicine at university.
We also offer the opportunity for students to volunteer within our dedicated Friends Shop.
Students will be required to commit to 50 hours volunteering (at least a two hour session once a week, until 50 hours are completed). This allows students to become a valuable member of the ward team, giving them an immersive and rewarding volunteer experience, while avoiding students having to volunteer during their school exams.
We offer approximately 30 placements a year. You must be aged 16+. Apply now!
