Welcome to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Christchurch Hospital Volunteering Portal
Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals are part of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, where we offer a range of rewarding volunteering opportunities.
Roles include assisting on wards, talking with or feeding patients (with full training provided), and supporting the hospital charity team.
Please complete the application form and indicate the roles you’re interested in. Once received, we’ll arrange an informal meeting at the hospital. If you proceed, you may be required to complete a DBS and ID check.
Important Notice for Applicants Under 18
Thank you for submitting your response. We are sorry but we cannot accept applicants under 18 years of age currently.
We have a special volunteering programme for young volunteers (aged 16-18) and will provide information on our website soon.
If you are looking to gain some experience in the trust please visit our work experience page for more information.
https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers/work-experience
Thank you
Attention all Volunteers and Applicants!!!
We need you in the roles below 👇 and look forward to hearing from you!
Guide volunteers
Our guide volunteers are an essential part of our volunteering programme as they would often be the first person a patient would see.
You will meet and greet patients and visitors when they arrive at the hospital and direct or guide them to the appropriate ward or department.
No two days are ever the same volunteers may be required to help patients with wheelchairs if they are able to and are wheelchair trained. Our volunteers also assist to ensure there are enough wheelchairs at the hospital entrances.
Our guide volunteers are extremely valued and are a key part of the hospital, working very closely with our reception teams across the trust.
Requirements
This is an active role which aims to provide extra support to our patients and therefore you’ll need to be able to be mobile for the duration of your shift.
You will need to be interested in the wellbeing of our patients and able to contribute to patient care by helping and linking with others within the boundaries of your volunteer role.
Overall you will have compassion and understanding and be able to demonstrate our Trust's Values in everything you do as a volunteer with us.
A full role-description is available on request.
Ward-based volunteers
We have volunteers helping in many different inpatient wards across the hospital, from AMU to ED, our elderly care wards, specialist care areas and children's or maternity wards.
Our volunteers can provide an extra layer of practical support and help to ensure the wellbeing of all of our patients. For many areas volunteers can be aged 16+, but for some of our specialist areas, the minimum age is 18 years of age.
As one of our valued ward-based volunteers, you will assist ward staff by providing refreshments to patients and relatives, spending time chatting with or befriending patients and ensuring their wellbeing.
You will help with many things and even the smallest thing can make a real difference, for example by ensuring patients can access the trust portable phones to speak to loved ones or by obtaining additional items such as pillows or extra blankets to ensure the patient's comfort and wellbeing during their stay.
This is a great role to give insight into a healthcare role and is very much valued by our patients and staff alike.
Requirements
This is an active role which aims to provide extra support to our patients and therefore you will need to be able to be mobile for the duration of your shift.
You will need to be interested in the wellbeing of our patients and able to contribute to patient care by helping and linking with others within the boundaries of our volunteer role.
Overall you will have compassion and understanding and be able to demonstrate our Trust's Values in everything you do as a volunteer with us.
A full role-description is available on request.
UHD Charity volunteers
Our UHD Charity volunteers are key to helping our charity both within the hospital and at pop events off site.
They have a varied role including running the charity bookshop or ‘pop-up’ shops on and off hospital site/s. Admin support such as updating UHD Charity promotional materials across all UHD sites including charity information boards, poster and leaflet points and replenishing donation envelopes.
They are involved in Lottery promotion by helping to help advertise the UHD lottery in hospital entrances across our sites or attending community events. This can include attending cheque presentations, meetings, social events, fundraisers and galas.
Requirements
This is an active role at times and therefore you will need to be able to be mobile for the duration of your shift. You should be able to volunteer as part of team and be discreet and able to maintain confidentiality.
Overall you will be able to demonstrate our Trust's Values in everything you do as a volunteer with us. A full role-description is available on request.
Administration volunteers
Our administration volunteers support our administration departments in various ways.
You will be of great support in terms of tasks such as organising admissions packs, putting folders together, photocopying and shredding and other light office duties such as filing and folding up letters and putting them into envelopes.
Requirements
You should be able to volunteer as part of team and be discreet and able to maintain confidentiality.
Overall you’ll be able to demonstrate our Trust's Values in everything you do as a volunteer with us.
A full role-description is available on request.
Outpatient volunteers
Our outpatient volunteers are key when patients arrive for their outpatient appointments.
You will meet and greet patients and direct them to their relevant clinic. You will also be required to support them with the self check in machines upon arrival.
Part of the role within our outpatients areas would be to help manage the patient flow.
Our outpatient volunteers are extremely valuable and form a key part of the hospital; working very closely with our outpatient teams across the trust.
Requirements
This is an active role which aims to provide extra support to our patients and therefore you’ll need to be able to be mobile for the duration of your shift.
You will need to be interested in the wellbeing of our patients and able to contribute to patient care by helping and linking with others within the boundaries of our volunteer role.
Overall you will have compassion and understanding and be able to demonstrate our Trust's Values in everything you do as a volunteer with us.
A full role-description is available on request.
Discharge Lounge
Our discharge volunteers are a valued part of our volunteering programme as they support patients preparing to leave the hospital.
You will be on hand to support patients waiting to be collected after being discharged. You role would include helping provide refreshments, talking with patients and ensuring they have all of their belongings.
Requirements
This is a proactive role which aims to provide extra support to our patients before they leave the hospital.
You will need to be interested in the wellbeing of our patients and able to contribute to patient care by helping and linking with others within the boundaries of your volunteer role.
Overall you will have compassion and understanding and be able to demonstrate our Trust's Values in everything you do as a volunteer with us.
A full role-description is available on request.
Buggy Drivers
Our buggy drivers are a valued part of our volunteering programme as they support patients to get around the hospital.
You will be on hand to support patients and visitors with limited mobility to attend their appointments in the hospital.
Our buggy drivers are extremely valued and are a key part of the hospital.
Requirements
This is a proactive role which aims to provide extra support to our patients and therefore you’ll need to be on the look out for people needing support at the designated pick up points. You will be responsible for safely transporting patients in our golf buggies for which you must pass an assessment. You will also need to have a valid UK driving license.
You will need to be interested in the wellbeing of our patients and able to contribute to patient care by helping and linking with others within the boundaries of your volunteer role.
Overall you will have compassion and understanding and be able to demonstrate our Trust's Values in everything you do as a volunteer with us.
A full role-description is available on request.
Mealtime Companions
We have volunteers helping in many different inpatient wards across the hospital. This role is to support our older person services wards at mealtimes with feeding, hydration and sharing information with the allocated nurse for the patients.
Our volunteers can provide an extra layer of practical support and help to ensure the wellbeing of all of our patients. Volunteers on OPS wards can be aged 16+.
As one of our valued mealtime companion volunteers, you will assist ward staff by providing refreshments to patients and relatives, spending time chatting with or befriending patients and ensuring their wellbeing.
You will help with many things and even the smallest thing can make a real difference, for example by ensuring patients can access the trust portable phones to speak to loved ones or by obtaining additional items such as pillows or extra blankets to ensure the patient's comfort and wellbeing during their stay.
This is a great role to give insight into a healthcare role and is very much valued by our patients and staff alike.
Requirements
This is an active role which aims to provide extra support to our patients and therefore you will need to be able to be mobile for the duration of your shift.
You will need to be interested in the wellbeing of our patients and able to contribute to patient care by helping and linking with others within the boundaries of our volunteer role.
Overall, you will have compassion and understanding and be able to demonstrate our Trust's Values in everything you do as a volunteer with us.
A full role-description is available on request.
Talking to patients/people about their experiences in hospital and recording their feedback on the ipads provided.
To be able to communicate with patients in a hospital environment and to engage with people in outpatient waiting areas and inpatient wards
Our Activity volunteers are very crucial to the overall wellbeing of our patients especially with patients who have a extended time the hospital. In this role, our volunteers will manage an activity trolley or a books trolley moving across various wards and interacting with as many patients as possible including playing games with them or if on the book trolley recommending books to them including magazines and puzzles.
The role is to communicate with ward leads and to engage only with identified patients using conversation activities and materials from a mobile trolly.
The volunteer will provide feedback to Voluntary Services and Patient Engagement team after each shift to get feedback. Take responsibly for the cleanliness and stock, make Voluntary Services aware of any printing or materials needed. Collect and return the trolly.
Where can I volunteer?
University Hospital Dorset consists of three sites and one Outpatients Assessment Clinic. Joining as a volunteer will qualify you to volunteer at any of these sites; Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the Outpatients Assessment Clinic. You can contact our Volunteering Team by emailing us on proudto.volunteer@uhd.nhs.uk
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering is a great way of helping the local community and can have a positive impact on wellbeing.
Volunteering is an opportunity to meet and help a wide range of people increasing social interaction. This can be used as experience if returning to work or considering a career change. We encourage our volunteers to undertake the National Volunteers' Certificate which is online learning.
You do not need previous experience to volunteer. You will need to be kind and caring with an interest in people. Volunteers need to have a flexible approach to ensure the best service to our patients and staff. We ask volunteers to commit to at least 3 hours a week for a minimum of a six month period.
Volunteers need to be over 16 years of age. Volunteers will need to complete a health assessment and application form which can be completed from this page. You will require two references and will be asked to undertake a disclosure and barring check. Induction and training is provided by the hospital, volunteers receive agreed travel expenses and subsidised rates for meals and drinks in the restaurant.
“I am so glad that you are thinking of volunteering within our organisation. UHD is a great place to work and volunteer, with a truly patient-centred approach and a real commitment to teamwork. As such, we really value the contribution of our volunteers - you all make such a difference to the experience of our patients.”
