DHSC News: NHS volunteers army boosted with new digital opportunity platform
NHS VOLUNTEERS ARMY BOOSTED WITH NEW DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY PLATFORM
77,000 NHS volunteers to be joined by more people who want to give back, with launch of centralised digital platform
New ways for volunteers to give back to local communities and make a difference, strengthening neighbourhood health services as part of 10 Year Health Plan
More volunteers will help with everything from making tea for patients to supporting ambulance crews with first aid, as Plan for Change looks to bring care closer to people.
Over 77,000 NHS volunteers already support the health service – now a new centralised platform will help more find the right opportunity to make a difference.
NHS England is launching a new central recruitment website for NHS volunteers today [Sep 24], bringing health volunteering opportunities in one place for the first time.
The launch directly supports the government's 10 Year Health Plan ambitions to expand community care through volunteer and voluntary sector engagement, supporting the shift from hospital to community care and treatment to prevention.
The NHS Volunteering website brings together the previous fragmented system where potential volunteers had to research opportunities at each health and care organisation separately. Now, people can easily find and apply for volunteering roles that match their location, interests, skills and availability through a single, integrated platform.
Health Minister Ashley Dalton said:
"Volunteers provide invaluable support that helps deliver compassionate care to millions of people. This new platform will make it easier than ever for people who want to give back to their community to find meaningful volunteering opportunities that fit their lives.
"As we deliver our 10 Year Health Plan, volunteers will help deliver our mission of bringing care closer to where people live and building stronger neighbourhood health services. Every hour volunteered makes a real difference to patients and families.”
Thousands of NHS volunteers currently support the health service across over 300 roles, with many more providing support through voluntary sector organisations.
Volunteers boost the experience of patients, while developing new skills, connecting with their local community, and making friends.
Tasks could involve spending time with patients, chatting and playing board games, or helping with meal or tea rounds, alongside general admin tasks like collecting medication from the pharmacy for patients waiting to leave hospital.
Other volunteers support ambulance crews to deliver lifesaving first aid, provide chaplaincy services to help patients prepare for surgery, or sit with patients at the end of their life. There are also opportunities in the community, and some volunteers help people to stay well in their homes by providing support with shopping or companionship calls, or drive patients to their appointments and deliver important medication.
NHS volunteering represents excellent experience for young people considering a career in the health service, retirees looking to give back to their community, and everyone in between.
At West Hertfordshire Trust, Maja Jeffree, aged 17, and Alan Stevens, aged 87 volunteer by playing board games with patients, distributing books from the mobile library, and delivering newspapers.
Alan has volunteered in the NHS since his wife, Shelia, passed away, and has clocked up more than 1,000 hours volunteering over the last decade.
Alan said:
“[The hospital] really looked after my wife, so I decided to apply to become a volunteer. I love it. I get to meet different people; it keeps me young and fit.
“It’s special to me because I get to meet people, understand what they are going through and it reminds me how lucky I am that at my age I still do things I love, like volunteering. That’s the best part of it.
“Instead of sitting at home, just volunteer and help people. Even if you just make cups of tea, it’s helping people. There’s plenty of places to volunteer. It gives you purpose to come out and help people. If you can help someone, just go and help them. You see so many people who are ill, and just to be here to help them is a reward in itself.”
Maja decided to become a volunteer after encouragement from her friend, who was completing volunteer training at the time.
Maja said:
“It feels amazing to be able to help the NHS this way. You never know when you may need to use the services and it’s a great way to support the nurses and doctors too who are working extremely hard all the time.
“The biggest highlight of volunteering for me has been meeting new people and volunteering with my friends. We have a good laugh and do a good thing at the same time.
“It is incredibly rewarding seeing the patients’ faces light up when I ask them if they would like a tea or a biscuit and knowing that the five-minute conversations I have with them make all the difference to their day.
“My advice to any volunteer would be to just put yourself out there and take it all as it comes. The memories, the people you meet, and the skills you gain by volunteering are invaluable – it’s an amazing opportunity and I think anyone who can do it, should do it.”
The website is already live in beta testing with more than 130 health and care organisations advertising opportunities. As the website grows, every NHS and external voluntary organisation in health will be able to post opportunities and recruit volunteers to support their local communities.
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said:
“NHS volunteers can get a lot out of their experience and gain something meaningful in return. Many say that volunteering brings a strong sense of purpose, whether it's through helping patients, supporting staff, or simply being a friendly presence. It also creates a real sense of connection and community, with volunteers forming friendships and feeling part of the NHS.
“Volunteering also offers personal growth – from building confidence and learning new skills to gaining experience that can support future careers, including in the NHS and care. It’s proven to boost mental wellbeing too, with many volunteers saying it helps them feel happier, more positive, and less isolated.”
To find volunteering opportunities near you, visit https://volunteering.england.nhs.uk/volunteer