Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Volunteering at Poole Hospital

Volunteer welcoming patients and visitors to Poole Hospital

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer at Poole Hospital?

Poole Hospital has over 300 volunteers, who make a tremendous difference to the experience of our patients. Volunteers work in a broad range of roles across the Trust, from people who meet patients and visitors arriving at the Hospital, to volunteers who assist in wards and departments, supporting our staff in providing care.

Volunteers work in areas including:

People become volunteers for a wide range of reasons: for some, it’s a chance to make new friends and meet people; others see it as an opportunity to gain valuable work experience; many simply want to give something back. Whatever their motivation, the support our volunteers provide us with is invaluable.

Click here to read Poole Hospital's guide to volunteering

How to become a volunteer

If you are interested in finding out more about being a volunteer, please contact Joy Janati on 01202 448610 or email joy.janati@poole.nhs.uk.

To download an application form, please click here

Please print out the form and complete it, then return it to Joy Janati, Health Information Centre, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Longfleet Road, Poole BH15 2JB. Alternatively, call Joy on the number above to request a form, or drop it into the centre, adjacent to the hospital's multi-storey car park on Longfleet Road.

Volunteering: Your questions answered

What do volunteers do?
Depending on the area they work, our volunteers undertake a wide variety of activities including offering hot drinks to patients, helping with the completion of menu cards, undertaking errands, talking to patients and directing and escorting people around the Hospital.

Do you need any special skills to be a volunteer?
No, you don’t usually need any special skills to be a volunteer at Poole Hospital. Our volunteers are made up of a diverse range of people and it is more important that they have qualities such as friendliness, reliability and a genuine wish and willingness to help.

How much of a commitment would I need to give?
Each volunteer decides how much time they are able to offer. Some people come in for two hours a week, others volunteer for one to two days a week. Normally volunteers will undertake one session of two-three hours a week. We do ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of six months so it is important to think carefully about whether volunteering will fit into your life on a regular basis.

Will I receive training?
All volunteers receive a short induction prior to starting their volunteering placement. All volunteers are also offered the opportunity to undertake Nutrition and Patient Feeding Training if they wish to do so, and attend regular health and safety and fire lectures. Volunteers are invited to a Volunteer Discussion Group at regular intervals throughout the year where we have guest speakers, although there is no obligation to attend these meetings. We also arrange for volunteers to shadow an existing volunteer or member of staff on their first day.

Is there an age limit?
Volunteers must be over the age of 16. However, as long as you are fit enough to undertake the role of a volunteer, there is no upper age limit.

Will I volunteer at the same time each week and in the same ward or department?
Yes, volunteers normally work on the same day and time each week and volunteer in the same area.

Is there flexibility?
Yes, we try to be as flexible as possible by offering a number of different volunteering options. Volunteers can also change to a different area or time depending on availability. We do understand that volunteers are not always able to attend every week but we ask that people let the ward or department know if they can’t come in, in order that they can make alternative arrangements.

What’s in it for me?
Our volunteers have many different reasons for getting involved at Poole Hospital. Some wish to go into a career in the NHS and find that volunteering provides invaluable work shadowing experience. Others find that volunteering offers them the opportunity to improve their confidence prior to returning to work. Some wish to undertake a regular session of volunteering once they have retired in order to meet new people and others just wish to give something back. Each year the Hospital invites all volunteers for a Christmas dinner to thank them for their contribution and we usually get together to enjoy a
cream tea in the summer.

How do I apply?
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Joy Janati on 01202 448610 or email joy.janati@poole.nhs.uk. You can also download an application form by clicking here. Please print out the form and complete it, then return it to Joy Janati, Postgraduate Centre, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Longfleet Road, Poole BH15 2JB.

Once we have received your application form we will contact you to arrange a short informal meeting, so that you can find out more about volunteering and we can find out more about you! We will also ask you to complete a health questionnaire and a Criminal Records Bureau form, and will take up two references from people who have known you over two years (not a member of your family). This paperwork can take around 8-12 weeks to complete.

Once all the paperwork is done, new volunteers are invited to come in for a short induction and to discuss the different options available.