Volunteering opportunities

Volunteering in a hospital can be emotionally demanding as you may be exposed to situations where patients and relatives are distressed, very unwell and anxious. The hospital is also a very busy place and our staff’s priority is to treat and care for patients and relatives. The work of volunteers is greatly appreciated by both staff and patients as an extra pair of hands and a social support. Due to the time constraints on staff we have limited opportunities for those requiring additional support or training and we therefore ask that you speak to a member of the Voluntary Services department before proceeding with your application, so that we can assess whether the role you are interested in will be suitable for your needs. Please consider these points carefully before starting your application process.

At this current time we are only able to place volunteers in the following roles due to the existing vacancies we have.  We cannot guarantee to place you in any area, so please bear this in mind when applying to avoid disappointment.

1) General helper in a non-clinical setting

Tasks to include some, or all of the following:

• Basic filing, photocopying and simple office help
• Collecting/opening/sorting post
• Delivering and redirecting mail
• Directing visitors to wards/departments/clinics
• Fetching and carrying small items as requested by staff
• Stocking up stationery supplies
• Supplying details of local information (phone numbers of florist, taxi, etc.)
• Welcoming/directing/helping/reassuring visitors.
• Basic typing under direction
• Addressing/packing envelopes
• Simple errands

2) Roles in wards or clinical departments

Tasks to include some, or all, of the following:

• Basic filing, photocopying and simple office help
• Offer refreshments
• Collecting post
• Collecting x-rays
• Collecting/opening/sorting post
• Delivering and redirecting mail
• Escorting and assisting patients/visitors in reception areas
• Escorting patients to various departments, Chapel, shop, etc
• Fetching and carrying small items as requested by staff
• Finding wheelchairs
• Guiding patients for their appointments & staying with them
• Looking after flowers, vases, plants etc
• Playing games when requested.
• Reading to patients on request
• Simple errands
• Simple hair care, manicure, helping patients make-up
• Simple tidying in patient areas
• Stocking up stationery supplies
• Supplying details of local information (phone numbers of florist, taxi, etc.)
• Talking with, and listening to patients
• Welcoming/directing/helping/reassuring visitors.

We have very limited vacancies for roles based on a ward as a general helper as priority is given to those aged 16-19 who are considering a career in a health profession.

3) Services to patients

• Newspaper service: volunteers visit the wards each day, providing a much needed and appreciated service of taking orders for newspapers and delivering them to patients.
  
  
• Library service: volunteers provide a mobile library service to the wards, and take donated magazines to waiting room areas.
  
  
  
• Meal time assistance: Volunteers aim to improve the patients' meal time experience at Addenbrooke's and the Rosie by assisting the ward staff at ward level with the feeding of patients. Volunteers are fully trained for this role, and concentrate on patients who require supervision and help at lunch times and evening mealtimes.

We regret that, at present, we are unable to offer any volunteering opportunities in the following areas:

• Children’s services
• Maternity services
• Theatres
• Laboratories
• Finance
• Mental Health
• Physiotherapy
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Occupational Therapy

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