Volunteering

 
As services develop over time staff can often find themselves with ever-increasing amounts of administration. This is one area in which volunteers can alleviate some of that burden – by doing minor administrative tasks that may take a significant amount of time but which are not a key element of staff roles (such as printing and compiling patient packs).

 
It can often be stressful and anxiety-inducing to visit a hospital or clinic and particularly so if it is the visitor’s first time to that site. Therefore, one of the biggest benefits of Meet & Greet volunteers is that they can offer a friendly face and helping hand to those in need. Volunteers can help to sign patients in for appointments and can direct them to their waiting areas, toilets or refreshment facilities.

 
The Friends & Family Test (FFT) is a fantastic tool for sourcing patients’ feedback about their experiences with the Trust. Often though, patients will only provide feedback if they have had a particularly positive or negative experience and response rates can be low. Volunteers can help by calling patients a few weeks following their treatment and completing the FFT survey over the phone with them. These ‘chatty-but-focussed’ calls can help improve response rates but can also source much more detailed feedback.

Since early 2018 the Volunteer Service has been exploring the introduction of volunteers to GP practices in Norwich. One of the key volunteer roles in these practices is that of the Health Host who welcomes patients, helps them sign in, directs them to the appropriate waiting area and who can also offer companionship and signposting to local services and support groups.

We know just how quickly and easily a stockroom can go from organised-efficiency to nightmarish-mess! With the help of Stockroom Support volunteers though, these facilities can remain tidy. This, in turn, can help clinicians to easily stock up on necessary equipment before appointments and can also help administrators to order stock more efficiently by avoiding over- or under-ordering.

Incorporating volunteers into hospital wards can be a fantastic resource which can add to the already-outstanding treatment patients are receiving. Volunteers are able to spend quality time with patients, offering companionship and entertainment. They can also help ward staff with minor tasks such as taking patients’ meal choices, completing Friends and Family Test surveys or doing the tea/coffee rounds.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.