Volunteering at the Trust
Volunteering at West Middlesex University Hospital gives candidates the chance to support patients and staff at local hospital. Volunteers have non-clinical roles that make a positive impact and improve the experience of patients using the hospital. Volunteers come from all walks of life and represent the diversity of the communities we serve.
As a volunteer, candidates will develop a comprehensive understanding of an acute hospital, can communicate directly with patients, and experience working in a team with NHS staff and other volunteers as candidates help provide a positive experience for the patient. Candidates will help develop new skills and meet new people. Candidates will have access to a variety of in-placement training with subject matter experts, as well as awards and recognition.
Typical volunteer roles
The trust recruits’ different roles at different times of the year depending on where the need is greatest. The roles below are examples of the types of roles that we most often recruit to.
Responder: active role where volunteers assist staff and patients in the hospital. Volunteers are given a radio and respond to a variety of tasks, such as welcoming visitors, helping with patient flow in outpatient clinics, giving directions, providing wheelchairs, delivering pharmacy medicine to wards, supporting the patient discharge process and conducting surveys. This is a varied and interesting role which provides insights into many different parts of the hospital. It involves frequently interacting with staff and patients.
Mealtime Ward Helper: key role to play during ward mealtimes on our adult inpatient wards. Work alongside clinical colleagues to support patients; ensuring they are ready to eat and helping them to eat. The role provides the ward with an extra pair of hands, assisting with non-clinical tasks, chatting to patients and running errands for staff and patients. This is a popular role as it provides patient contact and a good insight and experience of working in a hospital.
Patient Flow volunteer: offer support to patients from the point of being admitted to the point of discharge, with a view to ensuring their discharge experience is positive and they are discharged as soon as possible once medically fit. Although this role is not clinical, candidate will play a key part as it provides the hospital with exptra pair of hands, assisting with non-clinical tasks such as internal pharmacy runs, patient support to the discharge lounge, surveys, administration duties and supporting staff wellbeing.
Emergency Department volunteer: this role involves spending time with patients and supporting those who are important to them, offering refreshments and reassurance. Accompanying patients to other areas of the hospital and keeping them up to date with developments and waiting times. As well as supporting staff with various tasks to help the efficient running of the department.