Volunteering
We have more than 300 volunteers who give up
their time to work in a broad range of roles across the
hospital.
From volunteers who meet and greet patients
and visitors arriving at the hospital, to those who support our
staff in wards and departments, there are plenty of ways to get
involved when you become a volunteer.
Our volunteers are an incredibly valuable
asset – whatever the role, it makes a very real difference to our
patients.
Find out how to apply here.
Your questions answered
Q: What do volunteers
do?
A: Depending on the area they work in, 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.
Q: How much of a commitment would I
need to give?
A: 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.
Q: Do you need any special skills to
be a volunteer?
A: 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.
Q: Will I receive
training?
A: All volunteers receive an all-day
induction before they start their placement, and attend regular
health and safety and fire lectures. They can also attend training
about nutrition and patient feeding if they wish to do so.
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.
Q: Is there an age
limit?
A: 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.
Q: Will I volunteer at the same time
each week and in the same ward or department?
A: Yes,
volunteers normally work on the same day and time each week and
volunteer in the same area.
Q: Is there
flexibility?
A: 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.
Q: What’s in it for
me?
A: 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.