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Welcome! Volunteer and Discover Opportunities |
The Western Health Volunteer Program focuses on engaging with our local community by offering relevant and worthwhile volunteering opportunities.
Volunteers are the connection between community and public health services, ensuring it stays relevant and accessible. They are the positive energy that powers Western Health.
Join us in becoming a volunteer champion of public hospitals at Western Health.
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Why Volunteer With Us? |
We welcome volunteers from all walks of life, backgrounds, languages, cultures, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We are looking for students, CALD community members, immigrants, and refugees, as well as undergraduates, and people of all abilities.
- Join the fun squad: Join forces with other amazing volunteers and become part of a team that’s dedicated to making a difference whilst having a blast! Choose to walk kms with a purpose, or log how many people you interact with each day.
- Recognition: Your invaluable contributions in the community, showcased during National Volunteer Week, in our newsletter, in social media and beyond.
- Full training and support are provided so you can feel confident in your role.
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The Process of Becoming a Western Health Volunteer |
Step 1: Scroll down 
to browse 'Volunteering Opportunities at Western Health'
Step 2: Find an opportunity which interests you and click on the 'fill in an application' button.
*Please note, the minimum age to volunteer is 18 years due to support and supervision requirements.
Step 3: Once you have completed an application, someone from the Volunteer Coordination team will contact you to discuss your application and arrange a time for a volunteer interview.
Volunteers are based at a number of Western Health sites including:
- Footscray Hospital
- Sunshine Hospital
- Joan Kirner Women's & Children's
- Williamstown
- Bacchus Marsh
Questions?
For more information, or if you need help with your application, contact the Volunteer Program Office on (03) 8395 9092 or email volunteer@wh.org.au
I would like to volunteer
Volunteering Opportunities at Western Health
Community Transport Driver
Come and Drive Change in Someone’s Life as a Community Transport Driver
Location: Bacchus Marsh and surrounds.
Are you ready to drive change in your community? We are on a mission to ensure people can access medical appointments and social outings, and we need your help to make it happen.
What you will be doing:
Western Health’s volunteer transport drivers play an essential role in driving older people who have no other means of transport to medical appointments and social outings. Not only will you assist these individuals to remain connected with their community, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to share stories, and get to know people as you drive them to where they need to go.
Please note: A vehicle will be supplied for your use when you are on shift
Minimum age and role requirements:
- Minimum age: 25+ years
- You have your full licence and a good driving record
Role Hours: Minimum 2 hours per week or fortnight, available between the hours 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
Interested in this role? Select ‘fill in an application’ to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Food Surveys
Help us Dish out Better Care as a Patient Food Survey Volunteer
Are you friendly, approachable, and enjoy a good chat? We are looking for volunteers to visit patients and help collect feedback about their meal experience in the hospital.
What you will be doing:
Volunteer with us and chat with patients about their hospital meal experience to gather valuable feedback. Your involvement will help to improve the quality of our food services. You will directly support our goal of offering more culturally sensitive food choices that meet the needs of our diverse community.
Shift Hours: 2-4 hours weekly or fortnightly
Interested in this role? Click 'fill in an application' to apply
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Joan Kirner Gift Cart
Bring a smile to patients, families and visitors by volunteering with the Joan Kirner Gift Cart
What you will be doing:
Bring a smile to patients, families and visitors by volunteering with the Joan Kirner Gift Cart. Help provide a welcoming presence while supporting fundraising intiatives that benefit women, children and families at the hospital. If you enjoy meeting people and making a positive difference, we'd love to hear from you!
Shift Hours: Volunteer shifts are available Monday-Sunday, on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
Interested in this role? Click 'fill in an application' to apply
Leisure Coordinator
What you will be doing:
Bring a little fun and laughter to patients' day by leading games and activities with patients. From being the bingo caller, trivia host, playing card games or doing puzzles with patients, your contribution will help patients stay socially connected and entertained during their hospital stay.
Shift Hours: Tuesdays 1pm-2pm Ward GC; Wednesdays 11am-12pm Ward 2B
Interested in this role? Select 'fill in an application' to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Library Trolley
Do you ''Wheely'' Like Books? Become a Library Trolley Volunteer!
Come and wheel our trolley full of books and magazines from ward to ward in our hospitals to brighten patients’ days.
What you will be doing:
Volunteers on the library trolley wheel a trolley of free magazines and books from ward to ward in the hospital, for patients to keep and enjoy during their stay.
Maybe you are a book worm or literature lover, so are some of our patients! Share your love of reading and brighten someone's day.
Meet William, a volunteer on the library trolley at Western Health
Shift Hours: Minimum 2 hours per week or fortnight.
Interested in this role? Select 'fill in an application' to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Maternity Volunteer Partner
Help Shape New Beginnings as a Maternity Volunteer Partner
Step into a fulfilling role where your compassion and dedication can truly make a difference in the lives of patients in Joan Kirner’s Maternity Wards!
Are you passionate about supporting new mothers and families during their journey into parenthood? Here is your chance to make a difference as a volunteer at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s – Sunshine Hospital.
Your mission? To bring smiles, support, and positivity to patients in our maternity ward.
You will play a vital role in providing social support and companionship to new parents during their hospital stay. Whether it is calming nerves with a friendly chat, offering a comforting hand or restocking trolleys, this is your opportunity to become a part of something special.
Minimum Age Requirement: 18+ years
Shift Hours: Minimum 2 hours per week or fortnight, available between the hours 9am-8pm, Monday-Sunday.
Interested in this role? Select 'fill in an application' to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Social Support
Lend us Your Ears - Become a Social Support Volunteer
At Western Health, we’re seeking compassionate volunteers to join our social support program. Whether you’re up for a lively chat, a game of cards, or sharing a story, you can make a huge difference for patients during their hospital stay.
What you will be doing:
Western Health’s Social Support Volunteers visit patients to offer friendly conversation. Whether it’s doing crosswords with patients, or maybe you’re a master of scrabble or have some other talents up your sleeve - even better! We love it when our volunteers bring their skills and enthusiasm to the table.
Have we sparked your interest? If you feel excited at the idea of interacting and engaging with people, we encourage you to apply to volunteer with Western Health today.
Minimum Age Requirement: 18+ years
Shift Hours: Minimum 2 hours per week or fortnight
Interested in this role? Select 'fill in an application' to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Tea and Coffee Trolley
A Brew-tiful Opportunity to Join our Volunteer Tea & Coffee Team!
Calling all tea-riffic volunteers to join our tea and coffee trolley program and brew up some smiles in the Joan Kirner Maternity Assessment Clinic (MAC).
What you will be doing:
We are seeking volunteers to join our tea and coffee trolley volunteer program. Have your friends and family ever told you make a great cuppa? Or maybe you are someone who loves striking up conversation with new people and meeting future parents to be? Either way, we want you on our team!
Tea and coffee trolley volunteers are responsible for ensuring our trolley runs smoothly and efficiently, from preparing tea and coffee, to maintaining cleanliness and interacting with visitors to the hospital. Does this opportunity sound like ‘your cup of tea?’ If so, click apply now to volunteer with us and make every cup count.
Shift Hours: Minimum 2 hours per week or fortnight, available between the hours 9am-6pm, Monday-Sunday.
Interested in this role? Select 'fill in an application' to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Vehicle Maintenance
Rev up your Impact by Becoming a Vehicle Maintenance Volunteer at Western Health
At Western Health, our clinicians provide short-term nursing and allied health support for people in their home. Some of the specialist departments which engage in this program include the Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS); Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR); Children’s Allied Health Services (CAHS) etc. The goal of this program is to reduce the number of potentially avoidable presentations to the Emergency Department.
What you will be doing:
In this role, you will be volunteering solo. The shift involves driving vehicles which hospital staff use to provide nursing and allied health support for local residents, to and from service stations and carwashes, ensuring they are kept in great condition. By ensuring these vehicles are in tip top condition, your contributions will help our clinicians get to those in need and keeps emergency department visits down.
Minimum age and role requirements:
- Minimum age: 25+ years
- You have your full licence and a good driving record
*Please note – this role does not involve mechanical repairs or servicing*
Role Hours: Minimum 2 hours per week or fortnight
Interested in this role? Select ‘fill in an application’ to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Visitor Guide
Ready, Set, Guide! Join our team as a Hospital Visitor Guide
Are you ready to lace up your sneakers and make a difference with every step? If so, we want YOU to become part of our Volunteer Visitor Guide Team at Western Health!
What you will be doing:
With thousands of people moving through Western Health public hospitals every week, our Volunteer Visitor Guides help patients, visitors, and staff find their way around. Whether it’s way-finding to appointments, or guiding people to the nearest snack spot, you’ll be making every step count. As the first friendly face people see when they enter the hospital, your warm welcoming smile will help put visitors at ease.
Shift Hours: 3+ hours weekly or fortnightly.
Interested in this role? Click ‘fill in an application’ to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Volunteer in Emergency
Help Us Help Others - Become a Volunteer in Emergency at Western Health
Are you ready to turn empathy into action? Whether it’s making a cup of coffee for visitors and patients in our emergency department, or offering a listening ear, help us provide social and emotional support to patients and families during tough times.
What you will be doing:
At Western Health we are on the lookout for individuals to help make a difficult time a little easier for patients and visitors in our emergency departments. Volunteers provide social and emotional support to patients and family members during tough times, whether that's making a cup of tea, or getting a blanket or magazine for someone who is in the emergency department.
Real Stories, Real Impact:
As Gayle, a volunteer in emergency says: ‘We enjoy helping the patients, visitors, receptionists, nurses and doctors in emergency - no job is too big or too small within our realm of responsibility.’
Minimum Age Requirement: 18+ years
Shift Hours: Minimum 2 hours weekly or fortnightly.
Interested in this role? Select 'fill in an application' to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Volunteer Meals Assistance Program
Break Mealtime Monotony - Support Patients to Enjoy Their Food
As a volunteer in our meal assistance program, you will have the opportunity to visit patients, ensure they can access their lunch, and engage in friendly conversations to brighten their day.
What you will be doing:
Join our team of dedicated volunteers in our mission to reduce patient malnutrition and make mealtime a more sociable and enjoyable experience for the patients of Western Health. The Volunteer Meal Assistant Program (VMAP) evolved in response to a Western Health Nutrition Department study that identified a range of benefits in providing one-on-one meal assistance to hospital patients. The program won the Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2012 Minister for Health Volunteer Awards.
Joining VMAP will see you visiting patients, engaging in friendly conversation, offering assistance such as opening containers and ensuring utensils are in easy reach. Volunteers softly encourage eating, so that patients are able to eat and enjoy their meals.
Shift Hours: Shifts run from 11:30am-1pm; on weekdays.
Interested in this role? Select 'fill in an application' to apply.
Want to chat first? Phone us on (03) 8395 9092 or email us at volunteer@wh.org.au
Recognising the Impact of Volunteers
Western Health recognises the great contribution our volunteers make and the work they do.
Imagine the services and programs of Western Health without the support of volunteers. Then imagine the possibilities. Active citizens make a difference.
Together, Caring for the West
your Culture | your Ability | your Identity
We welcome you at Western Health
Western Health acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of all the lands and waterways on which Western Health staff, volunteers, consumers and caregivers come together. As we work, learn and grow, we pay our deep respects to the Elders and Traditional Custodians past, present and emerging of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung, Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Wadawurrung Countries of the greater Kulin Nation.
We are committed to the healing of country, working towards equity in health outcomes, and the ongoing journey of reconciliation.
Western Health is committed to respectfully listening and learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and we are truly guided by the values of relationship, responsibility and respect.
