"Volunteers provide an added dimension to the support and care of mothers and babies. The contribution that volunteers make within the clinical environment enhances the overall delivery of care" As spoken by Matron, Special care Baby Unit, RVI.

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.

#IWILL YOUTH CAMPAIGN

Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust has made a pledge to the #Iwill campaign, that it will give young people living within our communities the opportunity to take part in volunteering within our hospitals. We do this by working with local schools and colleges to increase accessibility, particularly for underprivileged young people, and to place students in volunteer roles which will enable them to grow in confidence and ambition. For more information visit #Iwill Campaign

Community Cardiac Rehabilitation - Volunteer Drivers

During the first few weeks after Patients come home from hospital, they are invited to take part in-group sessions at local community settings that include exercise, relaxation and healthy lifestyle advice. Volunteers provide this valuable home-to-home transport service to enable patients unable to drive, to attend the Community Cardiac Rehabilitation classes.  

Peters Story...

Following my retirement from regular employment I found myself subject to what all retirees must face - a lack of organisation in my life and very little human interaction. I had always been of a mind that giving back to the community would be a part of my later life and find the opportunity with CCRS fit the bill perfectly.

The induction and training were thorough and the personnel very welcoming and supportive aand it feels good to be part of a team again.

Now the best part, the patients. It has been a real eye opener to learn about the demographics of cardiac patients and heart warming and enlightening to hear their stories. Although we spend a relatively small amount of time together it is certainly true that relationships develop and it is both rewarding and sad to see them complete their course.

This has been one career move I do not regret!

Splish, Splash, Bounce Group

Splish, Splash, Bounce Group is specifically designed for pre-school children with additional needs. It is a joint group run between Physiotherapy and Early Education Additional Support Team (EEAST).  Our Volunteers work alongside Physiotherapists and parents, offering an additional pair of hands to ensure that the group runs smoothly and effectively.

Nicola's Story...

I have been volunteering at Splish, Splash Bounce for over a year now and I love it! I have a daughter who has special education needs and disabilities and when she was younger, we attended Splish, Splash Bounce and we both loved it! Now, I am fortunate enough to still be part of this through volunteering. As Splish Splash Bounce helped so much with my daughter’s progress, this led me to completing the rebound therapy training myself.

I help the physiotherapist’s with supporting the children on the trampolines, I have taken lead myself on the trampoline and carried out the sessions with the children. We sing nursery rhymes while incorporating Makaton signing and this is amazing when we see the children have learned signing through singing and playing. When we are in the hydrotherapy pool, I support on the side as a spotter. I will also help set up the toys ready for play time as the children love to have a splash and play before their pool session is over.

What I love about Splish, Splash Bounce is seeing the progress that the children make during their time attending the group, they thrive and achieve so much. The children know exactly what is happening and coming next from sitting on the carpet and singing the ‘hello song’, playtime, bouncing and swimming in the pool – It is so much fun!

Pharmacy Hub Volunteer Drivers

Our Pharmacy Hub Volunteer Drivers transport essential medication, and /or medical equipment to patients living across the North East region and who are either in self-isolation or are house-bound due to other existing medical issues.

Andrea's Story...

I started my role as a volunteer driver for the pharmacy hub during deepest covid in September 2020. At that time most of the patients I delivered to were shielding and were often very pleased to see a friendly face (above the mask and from a distance!) and to have a little chat.

I have continued in the role as I enjoy it so much, although now the patients are often not house bound and are having their medication delivered for various different reasons - but they are still always pleased to see me and grateful to have their meds brought to the door.

I never know what my route is going to be till I arrive at the hub - it could be very local or it might be up to Alnwick or even Coldstream! I’ve seen parts of the north east I might never have visited otherwise and it’s always interesting. Also the staff in the hub are very friendly and make me feel like part of the team.

Its good to know that I’m saving the NHS a bit of money by them not having to pay a professional driver to cover the route that I’m doing that day and as there are several of us volunteer drivers, I’m sure it all adds up. I owe the NHS a lot so I’m happy to do any little thing I can to give back.

CHUF Shop - Volunteer Retail Assistant

Children's Heart Unit, Freeman Hospital

Since opening in 2015, the CHUF shop has proven to be an absolute lifeline for not only families and staff on The Children’s Heart Unit but also patients, visitors and personnel from across the whole hospital. Stocking a wide range of CHUF merchandise, toiletries and snacks, the CHUF shop now also provides tea, coffee and other hot drinks meaning parents are able to access refreshments easily whilst remaining in close proximity to their child on the ward. In 2020 the shop celebrates £250,000 in takings as it reaches its 5th birthday, with all profits helping support children who are born with or develop heart conditions.

Located at the entrance to Ward 23 at Freeman Hospital, the CHUF shop is managed by CHUF’s parent Trustee, Arthur Campbell, who has been on the board since 1989! The shop is manned solely by volunteers which means we are always on the lookout for new faces to join us.

Purpose of the Role

Volunteers help serve patients and visitor drinks, confectionary and small gifts with all profits from the shop being donated to the Children’s Heart Unit Fund. The shop is based outside the Children’s Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital.

Description of main tasks specific to the placement:

• Opening and closing shop
• Serving patients and visitors in a welcoming and helpful manner
• Handling cash
• Replenishing and pricing items
• Stock taking
• Keeping shop clean and tidy

Available shifts:

• Fridays: 16:30 – 19:30
• Sundays: 12:30-16:30

To request an application pack, please click on the "Apply" button and type "CHUF" in the email subject box. In your email, please provide a little information about yourself and why you are interested in applying for this role.

Volunteer Retail Assistant

Freeman Hospital, Freeman Road, High Heaton

Time Commitment:  1 x 3 hour shift per week for a minimum of 6 months. 

Shifts Available: 

• Wednesdays = 4pm-7pm
• Fridays =  4pm-7pm
• Saturdays = 4pm-7pm
• Sundays =10am-1pm

We are now looking to recruit volunteers to support the day to day operations of the shop and to create a pleasant shopping experience for patients, visitors and staff.

You'll need to have a friendly personality and good communication and listening skills. This is an ideal opportunity if you want to make new friends and develop your skills and experience in a hospital and retail environment. Experience of working in retail/customer service would be an advantage but is not essential as training and support will be given.

To register your interest, please click on the 'Apply' button below.

Volunteer Drivers - Community Cardiac Rehabilitation Service

About the Community Cardiac Rehabilitation Service

During the first few weeks after Patients come home from hospital, they are invited to take part in-group sessions at local community settings that include exercise, relaxation and healthy lifestyle advice. Specialist nurses, physiotherapists and health and fitness staff run these sessions.

Purpose of the role:

To provide home-to-home transport to patients attending one of the Community Cardiac Rehabilitation for patients who are unable to drive or have difficulty accessing our Rehabilitation Service. 

All fuel costs and additional expenses are refunded and full training is provided. 

To become a volunteer driver, you will need to:

• Hold a valid, full UK driving licence with no more than six penalty points
• Have access to a car with a minimum of four doors
• Have fully comprehensive insurance
• Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (funded by the Trust)
• Undertake a Driver Health Assessment (funded by the Trust)
• Take part in our on-line volunteer induction training programme

Picking up local people and transporting them to and from one of the following clinics:   

• Mondays 08:30-12:30 - Westgate Community College
• Mondays 11:30-15:30 - Galafield Centre, Newbiggin Hall 
• Fridays 12:00-16:00 - Kenton Sports Centre

Minimum commitment = 1 shift per week

To request an application pack, please click on the 'Apply' button and type DRIVER in the email 'subject' box.   In your email, please provide a little information about yourself and why you are interested in applying for this role.

MediCinema Volunteer

RVI

MediCinema improves the difficult reality of being in hospital or places of care for patients and their families by bringing them genuine movie-going experiences to make them feel better. By creating a true cinema experience MediCinema aims to enrich the lives of patients, many of whom are critically ill or disabled and spend extensive periods of time in hospital or undergoing treatment.

This volunteer role involves assisting at each screening by collecting patients from the ward and assisting them to the MediCinema, pushing wheelchairs and hospital beds as required, then returning patients to their ward once the film is over. To ensure patient safety throughout the film, two NHS nurses are hired for every screening.

If you are looking for a role that brings immediate benefit and pleasure to patients, one that enables you to see the real difference you’re making to their lives, then volunteering at MediCinema located at the RVI Hospital could be for you!

Sessions available: 

• Thursdays 5.00pm - 8.00pm
• Saturdays 1.30pm – 4.30pm (children’s movies) 
• Saturdays 6.00pm – 9.00pm

You must be able to commit to a minimum of 2 screenings per month, for a minimum of a year. Volunteers need to be aged 18+.

To request an application pack, please click on the 'Apply' button and type MEDICINEMA in the email 'subject' box.  In your email, please provide a little information about yourself and why you are interested in applying for this role.

Volunteer Driver (Pharmacy Hub)

Freeman Hospital

We are looking to recruit Drivers to volunteer to deliver, on behalf of the Trust, essential medication, and /or medical equipment to patients who are either in self-isolation or are house-bound due to other existing medical issues. Depending on your availability, this essential role may require you to complete several deliveries and/or collections to several individuals across the North East Region. 

Requirements

• To commit to a minimum of 1x 4 hr shift per week
• Full and valid driving licence
• The use of your own roadworthy vehicle, as outlined by UK law,
• Have a valid MOT certificate where appropriate and is taxed for use on the roads.

Reimbursement for mileage expenditure

Available shifts:

• Wednesdays:  13:00-16:00

Minimum commitment required: 1 x 3 hour shift per week

For more information, or to  request an application pack, please click on the 'Apply' button and type PHARMACY in the email 'subject' box.  In your email, please provide a little information about yourself and why you are interested in applying for this role.