Volunteering

volunteer driving a buggy


Nobody wants to visit hospital if they can help it, but our 600 volunteers make our hospitals a far better place to be.

They are the smiling faces that welcome and guide patients as they arrive at our hospitals, a friend to talk to on a ward, and an extra pair of hands to help support our busy staff. 

They are an invaluable part of our Trust.


Who can volunteer?

Anyone aged 16+, in good health and with time to spare can volunteer at our hospitals. 


What do volunteers do?

We offer a wide range of volunteer activities. You could be helping people find their way around our hospitals, visiting patients on wards, assisting with patient mealtimes or helping new mums with breastfeeding. See information on each hospital below for more details.


What are the benefits?

  • Staff events including parties and trips
  • Free hot drinks
  • Uniform
  • Expense claims
  • A feel good factor from doing something for your community

Volunteering in our Derby hospitals

We offer volunteering opportunities at the following hospitals in Derby:

  • Royal Derby Hospital
  • Florence Nightingale Community Hospital


Types of volunteering roles available

Hospital volunteers

As a volunteer within our hospitals, you could get involved in a number of activities, including:

  • Mealtimes
  • Meet and greet visitors to the hospital
  • Help staff on wards
  • Drive the distinctive yellow hospital buggy
  • Support patients, visitors and staff in our busy outpatient departments and clinics

Register your details to receive updates on the latest volunteering roles (opens in new window) >
 

End-of-life volunteers

As an end-of-life volunteer, you will sit with patients and bring them some comfort. This enables friends and family to take a break and feel reassured that their loved ones are not alone. It also offers patients who don't have friends and family some companionship.

Training and support will be provided.


Patient safety partners

Patient safety partners (PSP) > work alongside our staff, patients, and families to influence and improve safety within our hospitals.


Student mealtime programme

If you are a student aged 16-18, you may be able to take part in our student mealtime project. 

You will need to apply during April - June. Training will take place from September - December.

To apply you will need to:

  • Register as an applicant, and
  • Email your interest in the mealtime project:  dhft.volunteer@nhs.net unless you are applying for a place though one of our partnerships with local schools/college.


How to apply to volunteer

Visit our volunteer website (opens in new window) >

Volunteering in our Burton hospitals

We offer volunteering opportunities at the following hospitals in Burton, Lichfield and Tamworth:

  • Queens Hospital Burton
  • Samuel Johnson Community Hospital
  • Sir Robert Peel Hospital


Types of volunteering available

Hospital volunteers

As a volunteer within our hospitals, you could get involved in a number of activities, including:

  • supporting staff on the wards with non-clinical help
  • meet and greet visitors to the hospital
  • support pharmacy with the transport of prescribed medication
  • gain experience in our coffee shop outlet
  • driving the hospital buggy


Pharmacy volunteers

Volunteers help to support the pharmacy team with transporting the prescribed medication to the different wards. The role also enables the volunteer to help to direct and assist patients for their clinic appointments.


Patient safety partners

Patient safety partners (PSP) > work alongside our staff, patients, and families to influence and improve safety within our hospitals.


Student mealtime programme

If you are a student aged 16-18, you may be able to take part in our student mealtime project. 

You will need to apply during April - June. Training will take place from September - December.

To apply you will need to:

  • Register as an applicant, and
  • Email your interest in the mealtime project: uhdb.burtonvolunteering@nhs.net unless you are applying for a place though one of our partnerships with local schools/college.


Apply to volunteer

To apply, you will need to register as an applicant by completing our application form.

Complete volunteer application form (opens in new window) >

Volunteers' news

Rita at UHDB's RDH entrance
UHDB volunteer Rita looks back at her 50 years at the Trust for NHS 75

Long standing volunteers who have given a combined total of 460 years of their time to helping others across UHDB have been honoured at a special ceremony. The volunteers, whose service spans from ...

Aymen Boud handed an award for voluntary work
Teen cadet who volunteered on End of Life ward receives award from TV star

An "exceptional and dedicated" teenager, who volunteered his time to help patients receiving end of life care at UHDB, has been given an award in recognition of his efforts. Aymen Boud, w...

Student volunteers recognised for their excellence
Student volunteers recognised for their excellence

We were delighted to celebrate UHDB and League of Friends volunteers recently, in a ceremony that recognised our dedicated volunteers that have supported the Trust. We were also able to recognise our ...

Volunteers presented with long service award
Incredible UHDB volunteers presented with long service awards

We were delighted to celebrate the amazing UHDB and League of Friends volunteers recently, in a ceremony which recognised and commemorated our dedicated volunteers that have supported the Trust for ma...