Volunteering in an NHS Trust can be one of the most rewarding ways to give back to the community. In a healthcare environment where compassion, patience and human connection matter just as much as clinical care, volunteers often play a small but meaningful role in making someone’s day a little easier. Whether it’s helping patients find their way around a busy hospital, offering conversation to someone who feels alone, or supporting staff with non-clinical tasks, volunteers can see first-hand the difference that kindness and time can make.
However, volunteering with the NHS is not for everyone. Hospitals and healthcare settings can be emotionally demanding places. Volunteers may encounter people who are unwell, anxious, or facing difficult moments in their lives. The role requires resilience, empathy and reliability, and it also involves respecting strict procedures around confidentiality, safeguarding and patient care. For some, this environment can be incredibly meaningful and motivating; for others, it may feel overwhelming or not suited to their strengths.
Because of this, NHS volunteering works best when people approach it with realistic expectations. Those who are prepared for the challenges often find the experience deeply fulfilling, gaining confidence, new skills and a strong sense of purpose while supporting patients, staff and the wider community.
Volunteering roles
Role opportunities within the Trust, are based on the needs of hospital teams and can change on a weekly basis. We cannot guarantee we will be able to offer a specific department or team that you may be interested in joining as a volunteer. We do, however, try our very best to fit the right person to the right role, including locality most convenient to the volunteer and role suitability. Sometimes, it’s not always possible to find a suitable role for a person or which fits with their availability to volunteer. In such circumstances we can direct you to outside community volunteering organisations.
Who can volunteer and other Volunteering Information
- You must be a minimum age of 17 (but in their 18th year) and over can volunteer if you wish to volunteer within in a clinical environment such as a ward
- You must be a UK resident.
- Due to the time invested in enrolling volunteers, we require a commitment of at least 6 months active volunteering for a minimum of one session per week (min 3 hours).
- Volunteer roles within our hospitals are designed to support patients and staff directly, They require volunteers to work independently without additional support. As such, and for safeguarding issues, we’re not currently able to offer a role where the volunteer themselves would need ongoing support while carrying out their duties.
- Volunteering should not be confused with Work Experience. Volunteering requires a longer-term commitment than work experience or a work placement. Should you wish to apply for work experience and need further information, please contact our Work Experience team: esh-tr.workexperience@nhs.net
- As a volunteer you will not shadow clinicians or participate in clinical activities.
- Volunteering is not proof of work placement or can support sponsorship applications.
- Weekend volunteering can only be offered once you have completed at least 3 months of regular volunteering during the week – a logbook will be provided for you to record the dates you volunteer
- Volunteering with the NHSdoes not guarantee a job within the organisation although it can help by giving you experience and a better understanding of how the NHS works. NHS roles must be applied for through the official employment recruitment process using the NHS Jobs website. www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate
Volunteer recruitment
The Trust’s Voluntary Service team support our hospitals: Bexhill Hospital, Conquest Hospital, Eastbourne DGH and Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital.
Once a volunteer recruitment period is open, we initially ask you to complete the enquiry form. We will then advise you of the dates of the forthcoming recruitment sessions where we will meet you in person. These sessions are held at regular intervals throughout the year at both the Conquest Hospital and Eastbourne DGH.
This session provides the opportunity:
- to ask any questions you may have about volunteering
- to talk through the current volunteering roles available
- to understand the recruitment process
If you would like to be part of our volunteering team, we’d love to hear from you.
