Job summary
- Main area
- Volunteer
- Grade
- Volunteer
- Contract
- Voluntary: unpaid
- Hours
- Flexible working - 4 hours per week
- Job ref
- 265-7481653-B-VOL
- Employer
- Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Northampton General Hospital
- Town
- Northampton
- Salary
- Volunteer- Unpaid role
- Closing
- 14/04/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 30/04/2026
Employer heading
NGH Volunteer
Volunteer
Job overview
Volunteering with us is a chance to make a genuine difference in the lives of our patients and families. By giving your time, you will help improve care, support our staff, and make every day brighter for those who need it most.
Why volunteer?
- Help patients and visitors feel welcome and supported.
- Give back to your community and the NHS.
- Join a warm, friendly team of volunteers.
About the roles:
- Due to the nature of these volunteer roles, you must be 18 or older to apply for any of the roles listed below.
- All roles are based Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm
- Outdoor Buggy Drivers must hold a driving license for at least 3 years.
Volunteer opportunities: (please note times available)
- Response / Runner Volunteer- Various (Monday - Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm)
- Meet & Greet Volunteer – Tuesday AM
- Buggy Driver -Thursday PM & holiday relief
Your commitment:
Just 3–4 hours a week can make a real impact. A regular commitment is required. If you cannot commit to weekly volunteering please look out for future opportunities.
Main duties of the job
Meet & Greet Volunteer
- Provide a warm welcome to individuals arriving for the Trust’s pre booked Meet & Greet service.
- Offer wheelchair support and escort patients safely to their appointments, clinics or departments.
- Ensure all requests are logged and handled in a timely and supportive manner
- Provide wheelchair assistance to outpatients and visitors who need help getting to their destination.
- Respond proactively to anyone who may appear lost or unsure of where to go.
Outdoor Buggy Driver
- To provide a comprehensive volunteer buggy service for the hospital
- Transport outpatients / visitors to departments and wards
- To greet & chat with outpatients or visitors on arrival and provide a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere
- Undertake visual safety checks at the start of the shift, reporting any issues immediately
- Outdoor Buggy – be courteous and considerate to all other road users
Working for our organisation
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
- Compassion
- Accountability
- Respect
- Integrity
- Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone’s full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
What We Look For
- A caring nature and good listening skills
- Patience, reliability, and empathy
- A friendly, approachable manner
- Respect for confidentiality
- Ability to work independently while knowing when to seek support
Why Volunteer with Us?
- Build connections with patients and other volunteers
- Use your life experience to support those who need companionship
- Gain fulfilment from helping others feel seen, heard, and supported
- Be part of a warm, inclusive and supportive team
Main Responsibilities
- Collecting and delivering notes / swabs / medication / equipment & running errands from various departments / wards
- Providing a courtesy ‘Meet & Greet’ service (wheelchair training required)
- Assisting with patient / family video calls on wards
- Operating a library service to wards
- Visiting / chatting to patients who may not have visitors
- Assist with wellbeing rounds, offering drinks to patients
- Undertake patient / staff surveys to collect data to understand their experience
- Guide people around the hospital and be proactive in assisting anyone who may be lost or need help
- Confidentiality must be always maintained regarding patients and their property
- Whilst carrying a radio always ensuring you speak professionally over the system and never speak about patients over the radio
How to apply:
- Clearly state the role you are applying for in your application in supporting information – if you do not specify the preferred, sadly we cannot process your application.
- Tell us which day and time (between Monday and Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm) you are available.
We receive many applications but can only accept a limited number of volunteers, so including all requested information is essential.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now and join our volunteer team.
Person specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Show empathy and compassion towards others and treat people with dignity and respect
- Experience assisting the public
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to communicate in a calm and professional manner
Desirable criteria
- Good interpersonal skills
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential criteria
- Recognise when appropriate to seek support from others
- Reliable, honest and punctual
- Ability to exercise confidentiality and discretion
- Ability to work on own initiative
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Volunteer Services
- Job title
- Volunteer
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01604523159
- Additional information
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. If you require reasonable adjustments, please contact us on 01604 52 3159 to arrange an appointment with the team.
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