Becoming a volunteer with us
Volunteers are an increasingly valuable resource for Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust. In 2018, volunteers offered over 6,200 hours of their time, saved 328 missed appointments in Norwich alone, and spent over 1,800 hours by our patients’ side, offering support, companionship and a welcome distraction from hospital-life.
The value of volunteers was particularly recognised in July 2016 with the creation of our dedicated Volunteer Service. This team has overseen the growth of volunteering which now involves over 260 volunteers helping in over 50 different teams.
Using their knowledge and experience with volunteers, the Volunteer Service team is here to support our patients, staff and volunteers to ensure that everyone benefits from the involvement of volunteers in the Trust.
Volunteer Roles
We’ve made some changes to our Volunteer Service and voluntary roles – and we’re looking for more volunteers who can offer their time to support excellent community health care.
We offer the following voluntary roles at NCH&C. If you have a question about any of our roles, please email volunteering@nchc.nhs.uk.
Activity Support Volunteer
The purpose of this volunteer role is to assist patients in engaging with various therapeutic, educational, and support activities. Volunteers will provide support both in group settings and individual sessions, contributing to the patients' overall wellbeing during their stay at healthcare facilities or community venues. Volunteers will work closely with clinical staff to ensure the effective delivery of these activities, whether the patients are in inpatient units, outpatient settings, or Willow Therapy Unit.
Find out more about these roles:
Activity Support Volunteer - Willow Therapy Unit
Meet and Greet Volunteer
The Meet & Greet Volunteer provides a friendly, reassuring, professional and efficient welcome for visitors to NCH&C NHS Trust sites.
Find out more about this role:
Patient Support Volunteer
The purpose of this volunteer role is to provide companionship and support to patients during their stay at healthcare facilities. Volunteers will assist with basic non-clinical tasks, enhancing the patients' experience. Additionally, volunteers will support healthcare teams by gathering patient feedback and making contact with patients prior to their visits, contributing to the overall quality of care and patient satisfaction.
Find out more about these roles:
Patient Support Volunteer - Willow Therapy Unit
Patient Support Volunteer - Inpatients
Patient Contact and Feedback Volunteer
The Patient Contact & Feedback volunteer supports NCH&C by gathering feedback from patients and/or contacting patients prior to visits for Community Nursing & Therapy team clinicians.
Find out more about this role:
Stockroom Support Volunteer
The aim of this role is to support Community Nursing & Therapy Teams by keeping clinical stockrooms tidy and well organised.
Find out more about this role:
Virtual Ward Tech Buddy Volunteer
Community Virtual Ward allows patients to receive hospital monitoring and treatment at home, offering a ‘step up’ service to prevent avoidable admissions to hospital. If suitable for virtual ward care, patients are trained how to use a device which sends continuous or intermittent observations including their breathing, heart rate, and skin temperature directly to the Community Virtual Ward team. The
purpose of this role is to help patients successfully use their device throughout their Virtual Ward ‘stay’.
Find out more about this role:
Visitor and Team Support Volunteer
The purpose of this role is to support visitors to an NCH&C Inpatient Unit and help ensure the unit’s reception area is a welcoming environment for patients, visitors and staff.
Find out more about this role:
Visitor Support and Hosting Volunteer
The purpose of this role is to support visitors to the Willow Therapy Unit and help ensure the unit’s day area is a welcoming and enjoyable environment for patients, visitors and staff.
Find out more about this role:
Volunteering at the Priscilla Bacon Centre
The Priscilla Bacon Centre for Specialist Palliative Care Services provides specialist advice and support for any patients with life limiting illness and those close to them. While many patients are well supported by their primary care teams, some have more complex needs that require input from our specialist multidisciplinary team. Volunteers support our dedicated staff teams in many roles including Day Care, In-Patient unit, Coffee Bar, on reception and in administration. The roles are diverse and there is bound to be something to suit you.
For more information, please contact
Catherine Wilson, Volunteer Coordinator
t: 01603 255719
e: catherine.wilson@nchc.nhs.uk
Other Organisations
The Volunteer Service works closely with other organisations to benefit from the inclusion of their volunteers. One example of this is the Royal Voluntary Service which provides volunteers to support their cafes and shops across the Trust. We also work with Pets as Therapy, St John’s Ambulance and others.
Volunteering FAQs
Why volunteer with Norfolk Community Health and Care?
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS trust really values the contribution that volunteers make to the organisation.
We offer a wide and expanding variety of roles, providing the opportunity to learn skills and put your existing ones to good use, build confidence and gain experience within a supportive and stimulating environment.
Volunteering even a small amount of time with Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS trust can be a great way to make a real difference in your local community. We will provide you with all the training and support you need to make sure you can comfortably carry out your role, and enjoy your time as a volunteer with us.
Who can volunteer with Norfolk Community Health and Care?
We are happy to hear from anyone who is honest, reliable and compassionate about supporting others. We recognise the value in welcoming volunteers with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
To join us as a volunteer you will need to be 17 or over, although our roles based in a clinical setting are only available to those of at least 18.
All volunteers will undertake a DBS check, however this does not mean those with a criminal record are excluded as a matter of course. Each application will be treated on an individual basis, with open and honest discussion between the applicant and a member of the volunteering team.
As the volunteer recruitment and induction process takes a period of several weeks, and involves the input of a variety of staff teams, we ask that anyone wishing to volunteer is able to join us for at least six months.
What does the recruitment and induction process involve?
To apply to volunteer with us, you will first need to complete and return to us a Volunteer Application Form. (Please see ‘How to Apply’ below)
Once we have received your application, a member of the team will contact you to discuss your application, and if it is appropriate for an available role, we will arrange a mutually convenient time to meet for an informal interview.
The informal interview is an opportunity for us to learn more about you as an individual, and why you would like to volunteer, as well as a chance for you to find out more about the specific role you have applied for and the wider trust.
If both parties are happy to continue with your application, we will then carry out a DBS check to the appropriate level and request references.
Following the satisfactory return of your DBS check and references, the volunteering team will contact you to arrange your induction training. Your induction training will cover everything you need to know to get started as a volunteer, including topics such as safeguarding, confidentiality and health and safety.
From informal interview to getting started, the process is likely to take at least six to eight weeks, although sometimes a little longer, depending on how long the checks take to be returned, and the number of applications we are processing.
What does the recruitment and induction process involve?
To apply to volunteer with us, you will first need to complete and return to us a Volunteer Application Form. (Please see ‘How to Apply’ below)
Once we have received your application, a member of the team will contact you to discuss your application, and if it is appropriate for an available role, we will arrange a mutually convenient time to meet for an informal interview.
The informal interview is an opportunity for us to learn more about you as an individual, and why you would like to volunteer, as well as a chance for you to find out more about the specific role you have applied for and the wider trust.
If both parties are happy to continue with your application, we will then carry out a DBS check to the appropriate level and request references.
Following the satisfactory return of your DBS check and references, the volunteering team will contact you to arrange your induction training. Your induction training will cover everything you need to know to get started as a volunteer, including topics such as safeguarding, confidentiality and health and safety.
From informal interview to getting started, the process is likely to take at least six to eight weeks, although sometimes a little longer, depending on how long the checks take to be returned, and the number of applications we are processing.
Can I claim expenses for volunteering?
We are happy to reimburse volunteers for out of pocket expenses incurred whilst volunteering with us. However unable to reimburse you for attending the initial interview and induction training.
What support will I be offered whilst volunteering?
Throughout your time as a volunteer you will be supported by your local volunteer co-ordinator, and where appropriate a member of staff in the team you are volunteering with. You will be introduced to your co-ordinator and local support during your induction.
Further training may also be made available to you during your time as a volunteer, where appropriate opportunities become available.
How to apply
To apply to volunteer at Priscilla Bacon Lodge, please complete ‘Priscilla Bacon Lodge - Volunteer Application Form’ found in the ‘Key Documents’ section of this site.
To apply to volunteer at any other NCH&C site with us please complete an online Volunteer Application Form: Click here to sign up!
Once we receive your application, your local Volunteer Coordinator will be in touch with you to discuss next steps.
Further information
If you would like further information about any of the above, or would like to speak to our volunteering team please contact us at volunteering@nchc.nhs.uk