Volunteer Recruitment Process
Volunteer Recruitment Process
- Fill out a Volunteer application form
- Meet us for an informal chat
- Fill out a health questionnaire
- Fill out a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where appropriate
- Give us the contact details of people we can contact for a reference
- Do any training needed for the volunteer role - we will let you know if you need to do this
- Sign a volunteer agreement that explains what the Trust expects of you and what you can expect from us.
If possible, we ask volunteers to commit to at least six months of volunteering with us.
You can download a flow chart of our Volunteer recruitment process [pdf] 128KB
You can open the volunteer application form here.
Volunteer FAQs
Volunteer FAQs
How long does the recruitment process take?
It takes about 4 to 6 weeks on average, but this will depend on a number of things including how quickly we are able to get the results of your checks and questionnaires back.
Do I have to wear a uniform?
Volunteers who are on site will be required to wear a uniform, this will be explained to you during the recruitment process.
How old to I have to be?
You have to be at least 16 to be a volunteer. In some areas of the Trust you will need to be at least 18.
I am a student that requires a placement as part of my course or study, can you help?
Work experience or placements are offered by our Learning and Development team - click here for more information.
What training will I have to undertake?
There are eight modules of training that need to be done, these include:
- Conflict resolution
- Equality, diversity and human rights
- Fire safety
- Health, safety and welfare
- Infection prevention and control
- Information governance
- Manual handling
- Safeguarding
How many hours do I have to give?
We ask volunteers to commit to three hours a week for six months.
I’m claiming job-seeker’s allowance, can I still volunteer?
When claiming job-seeker’s allowance you must be able to prove that you are available for paid work at all times. We advise you to check with your job-seeker advisor, before taking a volunteer role.
Do I have to come for an interview and what will it involve?
Everyone who wants to be a volunteer will have an informal chat; this could be in person, a video meeting or phone call. This is not a formal interview, we will explain more about what it’s like to volunteer with us and chat to you about your interest in volunteering, including what type of volunteer role might suit you, when you would like to volunteer and what your availability is. We will try and identify a suitable role in this meeting.
I have a paid job, can I still volunteer?
If you have a paid job, we will try to find a volunteer role that fits around your working hours.
Can I volunteer at the evening or weekends?
Some volunteer roles are available in the evening or at weekends, depending on the needs of the ward or service. Other roles such as administration may only be needed Monday to Friday during office hours.
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteer Bike Enthusiast
Location: Berrywood Hospital - Duston
Hours required: Flexible
Aim of volunteering role: To support the occupational therapy team with a new group around bike maintenance and actual bike riding
Volunteer tasks: To be agreed with staff
Skills required:
- Ability to follow set procedures
- A reliable and flexible nature.
- Interest and skills in bikes
- Interest in and ability to work alongside people experiencing mental ill health.
- Good communication skills and sense of humour.
DBS Required: Yes
Training and Induction: You will be given full training and induction in line with the volunteer role you are undertaking
Volunteer Driver
Location: Cynthia Spencer Hospice
Department: Wellbeing
Hours required: Flexible to suit individuals
Aim of volunteering role: To transport patients to appointments at the hospice
Volunteer tasks:
- To collect patients from their homes and drop them back after sessions
Skills required:
- Good communication skills and sense of humour.
- A reliable and flexible nature.
- A clean driving licence
- Appropriate insurance
DBS Required: Yes
Training and Induction: You will be given full training and induction in line with the volunteer role you are undertaking
For more information and to register your interest please contact Rebecca Darlington Rebecca.Darlington@nhft.nhs.uk
Volunteer Gardener
Location: Various sites, Northampton, Kettering, Daventry, Corby
Department: Therapy Services
Hours Preferred: Very flexible to suit individuals .
Aim of volunteering role: Such gardening volunteering would not entail co-facilitation of Patient groups, but rather people who could give their time to help support with weeding and general maintenance
Volunteer tasks To help support with weeding and general maintenance
Skills required:
- Interest and skills in gardening
- Good communication skills and sense of humour.
- A reliable and flexible nature.
- Ability to work with small groups of people
DBS Required: TBC
Training and Induction: You will be given full training and induction in line with the volunteer role you are undertaking
Volunteer Telephone befriender
Location: From home
Department: Voluntary Services
Hours Preferred: Flexible to suit individuals , a minimum of 4 hours commitment required .
Aim of volunteering role: To make calls to lonely and isolated people needing social interaction by phone
Volunteer tasks:
- To make calls to clients and feedback to the Administrator
Skills required:
- Good communication skills and sense of humour.
- A reliable and flexible nature.
DBS Required: Yes
Training and Induction: You will be given full training and induction in line with the volunteer role you are undertaking
For more information and to register your interest please contact Maureen maureen.bartlett@nhft.nhs.uk
Volunteer Befriending service
Befriending service
Our aim is to provide a telephone listening support service to anyone who could benefit from social support. The service supports people who are lonely or isolated, have been in hospital or who are unable to attend social groups. Befriending phone calls are more than just a chat, as we aim to build a relationship between you and our volunteer.
These calls do not form or replace any clinical support. We cannot provide medical advice or solve any issues for you but we do provide opportunities to talk to someone different and have vital social interaction. All our volunteers have been through their relevant training and vetting checks and are good listeners, able to empathise with the person they are phoning.
Although informal, our conversations are confidential but a brief summary does need to be shared with the administrator. This is to help our records, with your consent, and is passed to healthcare professionals if necessary, as part of our Duty of Care and safeguarding regulations. This applies to information that might affect immediate safety, and our volunteer will ask your permission to raise this with the emergency services or our administration team for help as needed.
Who can access this Service?
Anybody who feels that they could benefit from regular calls from a friendly volunteer caller, maybe because they are feeling lonely, isolated, vulnerable, anxious, possibly can’t talk to family or friends about some things, or would just like regular contact for any other reason.
How to access this service
The service can be accessed by either a referral from a healthcare professional from any NHFT service, via System One or you can self-refer to us by contacting the Administrator on: 03000 274109 or via email to: Befrienders.Service@nhft.nhs.uk
Volunteer 2 Career
Volunteer 2 Career
Our aim is to provide a route into work through volunteering, for people who are interested in a career within healthcare.
This pathway will give you the experience and skills you need to be able to apply for NHS jobs, including as a Health Care Support Worker (HCSW).
You do not have to pay for the training. You only need to volunteer your time with us.
When you successfully complete the pathway you will receive your Care Certificate, which is a national qualification and gives you a much better chance of securing a paid role in the NHS.
Who can join the pathway
- Anyone who has an interest in paid work in healthcare and who volunteers with us can join. No other experience is needed!
- You will need to go through the recruitment process to become a volunteer and complete 40 hours of volunteering over 3 months.
- Volunteers must be aged 18 years or over to move onto the Volunteer to Career training programme.
- You may have the opportunity to do Functional Skills (English and Maths) courses through us, if needed, to help prepare you for the training and career opportunities.
This pathway could be a great opportunity for you if:
- You are looking for a change in career.
- You’re not sure if a career in healthcare is for you and want to try it out before applying for a paid job or course.
- You are unemployed and do not have recent work experience or references.
- You have been off work for a long time due to ill health, or other reasons, and need a gradual route back into work.
- You have been turned down for jobs in the NHS due to lack of the right knowledge and experience.
If you are interested in volunteering or want more information, please contact our Voluntary Services Team .
Email: volunteering@nhft.nhs.uk
Telephone: 03000 274109
Complementary therapy
Complementary therapy
The Northamptonshire Palliative Care Service is pleased to offer Complementary Therapy treatments to patients and carers. The treatments are given by qualified practitioners on a voluntary basis and are free of charge. All appointments depend on availability.
Treatments are available to patients on the ward or in the treatment room.
Home visits may sometimes be available for patients who are unable to travel to the hospice.
Patients will normally be offered a maximum of 6 treatments.
If you would like to arrange a treatment, or would like more information about any of the treatments listed, please speak to the nursing staff who will arrange for the therapist to contact you.
Massage
Massage is a treatment in which the therapist manipulates muscles and other soft tissues of the body. This can range from gentle stroking and kneading of muscles and other soft tissues to deeper manual techniques. It can be adapted to suit the person. It can help to relieve muscle tension, cut stress, and evoke feelings of calmness. Patients may choose a neck and shoulder massage, back massage, or just hands and arms or feet/legs.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the controlled use of essential oils to promote the wellbeing of mind, body and spirit. The essential oils are derived from plants and have distinctive fragrances and properties. Aromatherapy massage can be effective in improving sleep patterns, reducing anxiety, aiding digestion and stimulating the immune system.
Indian Head Massage
Indian Head Massage involves the massage of the upper back, shoulders, neck, head and face. It may help to relieve pain and stiffness to the muscles of the face, scalp, neck, upper back and shoulders. It has also been shown to promote hair growth, improve scalp condition and aid general relaxation.
Emmett technique
The Emmett Technique is a gentle body therapy using a light finger touch. It can be used on its own or combined with other therapies. It may help with balance issues, may ease pain and discomfort, increase mobility, aid relaxation and promote a general feeling of wellbeing.
Visualisation
Guided visualisation uses the power of your imagination. Your therapist will lead you to imagine in your mind’s eye a relaxing scenario, experience or series of images. The aim is to harness the brain’s positive response to the images to help you to relax, step outside of the present moment and let go of immediate stress. The technique may also help you to sleep better and may aid symptom control.
Complementary Therapies are natural and holistic treatments which can be used to complement nursing practices and medical interventions and are not an alternative to conventional treatment.
Reflexology
Reflexology is based on understanding that the organs and systems of the body are mapped out in the hands and feet.
By application of gentle pressure on precise reflex points the body can be brought back to balance. The benefits of reflexology can include relaxation, pain relief, control of anxiety and stimulation of the body’s own healing processes.
Reiki
Reiki is an energy balancing treatment involving the practitioner placing hands lightly on the body while the recipient is fully clothed in a sitting or laying position. Benefits can include relaxation, improved sleeping patterns and a feeling of calmness.
