Volunteering at Poole Hospital
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer at Poole Hospital?
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Poole Hospital. We regret that due to high numbers of applications, we are unable to consider any more volunteer applications at present. Please check this website regularly for news on when we will be welcoming applications again. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
About volunteering
Poole Hospital curerntly has more than 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:
- Dorset Cancer Centre
- Children's Unit
- Maternity
- Wards (eg medical or surgical wards)
- Outpatients department
- Chapel
- Patient library
- Reception
- Fundraising shop
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
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.
For more information, please contact Joy Janati on 01202 448610 or email joy.janati@poole.nhs.uk