Ward volunteers offer companionship and support to patients, many of whom may be in the hospital for extended stays. As a ward volunteer, you'll engage in various activities with patients, including playing board games, reading, or simply having a chat.
Volunteers also play a role during mealtimes, which involves getting patients ready for their meals, serving the food, and sitting with them to assist with cutting their food, opening containers, and making mealtime a more social experience.

Working for our organisation
Our Voluntary Workforce
The Newcastle Hospitals Trust values the involvement of local people as volunteers in activities that enhance the patient, visitor and carer experience, and also support staff in delivering high quality health care.
Your offer of voluntary help is very much appreciated, and you will receive a warm welcome no matter which area of volunteering you choose.
Without our volunteers, we wouldn't be able to deliver the 'outstanding' care and service that we do today.
Important note on completion of the application form
REFERENCES: Candidates are required to provide the address, telephone number and work email address of TWO referees, who should be either a current or former employer, senior work colleague, teacher, tutor or person of good standing in the community, and certify that they have known you for a minimum of 3 years prior to the date of application. PLEASE NOTE: That we cannot accept references from Friends or Family members.
DBS: The majority of our Volunteer roles require a Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) Check. The volunteer services team will apply for this on your behalf, as part of your pre-engagement checks. If you already hold an enhanced DBS and it is registered on the DBS Update Service, then you will need to provide evidence and present your original DBS certificate to the Volunteer Services Team during your ID check appointment.
EMAIL: All correspondence to you will be made via email, therefore please ensure that you check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
+ Assist with preparing patients for meals
+ Assist with serving meals
+ Cutting up food, and opening packaging
+ Collecting and tidying up following meal service
+ Tidying up tables and locker tops
+ Talking to patients, reading with or to patients, doing crosswords, playing dominoes etc.
+ Supporting with ward tasks to support discharge- e.g. collections from pharmacy

We offer a range of volunteer opportunities at our two primary hospitals and are eager to hear from friendly, approachable, and enthusiastic individuals who possess strong communication skills and a caring attitude.