The Volunteer Service is part of Newcastle Hospitals Charity which is the official charity for Newcastle Hospitals, one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the UK with two of the world's best hospitals, providing healthcare to communities across the North East. Hospitals includes the Royal Victoria Infirmary, the Freeman Hospital, the Great North Children's Hospital, the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Newcastle Dental Hospitals, Northern Genetics Service and many community services.

We go further for our hospitals to help deliver global excellence and local impact providing support for compassionate and innovative healthcare, education, and research including some of the best centres for children, heart and lung transplantation, genetics and cancer trials in the world.

We work in partnership with Newcastle Hospitals to complement the world-class healthcare services provided here and we proudly support patients, staff, and the wider hospital community by funding a range of initiatives - from cutting-edge cancer research to staff psychological support and vital improvements to the patient experience and environment.

How you can get involved

The Newcastle Hospitals Trust truly appreciates the participation of local volunteers in activities that improve the experiences of patients, visitors, and caregivers, while also aiding our staff in providing top-notch healthcare.

Your willingness to volunteer is greatly valued, and you will be warmly welcomed, regardless of the area you choose to assist in.

• Would you like to volunteer for 3-4 hours or more each week to help our staff and patients? Check out our current opportunities listed below.
• If you're interested in volunteering but can only commit on an occasional basis, take a look at our events and fundraising opportunities.
• Are you part of an organization looking to set up a corporate volunteer event for your team to support Newcastle Hospitals or its Charity? Head over to our corporate volunteering section.

Ward 36, Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital

June, Francis, and Pam represent just three of the sixteen dedicated volunteers in the Chemotherapy Unit (Ward 36). They deliver outstanding service by offering refreshments to patients undergoing treatment, providing comfort and reassurance to those who are anxious, and organising group activities, such as general knowledge quizzes, to help alleviate the wait and foster a positive and supportive environment for patients.

(Photo: Pam, June and Francis taken at the 2024 Volunteer Appreciation Event)

June said: “When I left school, I tried nursing but didn’t end up really settling into it. After retiring in 2021, I wanted to go back into a hospital and thought it would be nice to be able to help by supporting patients. It’s an absolute privilege to do this, the patients appreciate us, and we appreciate them.”

Francis added: “When I retired I wanted to be part of something that is a big part of everyday life and payback a little into the NHS to thank them for all the help they have given me. Volunteering on the ward really feels like being part of the team, not just the volunteering team but a team with the ward staff too.”

And Pam, said: “I just felt that I needed some structure in my life as I was retired and was no longer needed as much for grandchild care. It would be too easy to slip into a pattern of socialising, shopping and worst of all daytime TV! When I had treatment for cancer many years ago I was grateful for the care of the busy staff, and those who still found the time to bring me a much needed cup of tea. I wanted to give something back, and the ward has always made us feel at home - lovely staff and patients.”

All three agreed that volunteering makes such a difference and is such a rewarding thing to do.

Diane - Ward 36 Housekeeper said: "The volunteer's on Ward 36 are a valued part of the support staff team. They have built relationships with both patients and visitors and often receive small gifts of gratitude from patients, such as chocolates, cards etc. They give their precious time, they are conscientious in their work and it is much appreciated by the ward and especially the housekeeping team and the patients."

Activity & Mobility Support Volunteer

Various elderly & orthopaedic wards across the Freeman Hospital

Based on Elderly and Orthopaedic wards, volunteers will support patients who are medically fit for discharge but not yet able to leave hospital, to maintain existing levels of mobility by encouraging patients to go for walks or engage in chair-based activity or exercise, including games and activities to promote mental stimulation and enhance mood.

The purpose of the volunteer role is to help patients to maintain their normal level of mobility whilst in hospital, and to help prevent deterioration resulting from immobility. Volunteers will also engage patients in bedside games and activities to promote mental stimulation including and enhance mood.

All duties will be overseen by nursing or therapy staff but will never include clinical tasks or personal care. 

Description of main tasks specific to the placement: 

• Supporting staff to get patients up and ready for the day
• Encouraging appropriate patients to engage in movement and mobility.
• Encourage and facilitate appropriate patients to engage in chair and bed exercise sessions.
• Engage identified patients in activities (1:1 and Group activities)
• Supporting therapy staff with group activities on ward
• Supporting with ward tasks to support discharge- e.g. collections from pharmacy
• Enabling patients to engage in hobbies (reading, discussions, word searches/crosswords)
• Supporting identified patients to go off ward or outside
• Collecting feedback forms from patients prior to discharge

Applicants will need good listening and communication skills with the ability to chat confidently with patients and when necessary, put them at their ease.  You will be supported by a member of the Physiotherapy team and so this role would also suit anyone interested in gaining experience for a career in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy.

Available shifts:

Minimum of 3 hours per week.

• Monday to Friday:  08:00- 11:00 or 13:00-16:00

Volunteer Patient Drivers

RVI/Freeman Hospital/Community Settings

Purpose of the role:

As a Volunteer Patient Driver you will be helping people in your local community access non emergency but vital medical appointments at the RVI, Freeman Hospital or one of our Community setting. You will make sure that patients arrive in a relaxed and friendly manner and taking them back to their home address after their appointment.

All fuel costs and additional expenses are refunded.

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

Minimum commitment = 1 x 4 hour shift per week

Various shifts available :  Monday to Friday between 8:30am & 12pm or 1:00pm & 4:30pm

Pop up Charity Retail Shop Volunteer

Royal Victoria Infirmary

As a Newcastle Hospital Charity retail volunteer, your contribution will help to generate profits that will go to support hundreds of individual projects each and every year, all in line with our mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the patients, people and wider communities of Newcastle Hospitals.

We are looking to recruit friendly and approachable people to volunteer in the GNCH Pop up Shop located in the main foyer of the Great North Children's Hospital. Previous retail experience would be beneficial but is not essential as training and support will be provided. The role requires the volunteer to maintain the smooth running of the pop up shop and will include welcoming customers, recommending suitable shop items that best satisfy their needs, managing payment transactions and ensuring that the merchandise displays are topped up and look attractive.

Available shift:

• Tuesdays: 13:00-16:00
• Wednesdays: 11:00-14:00, 13:00-16:00
• Thursdays: 13:00-16:00
• Fridays: 13:00-16:00

Volunteer Retail Assistant

Freeman Hospital, Freeman Road, High Heaton

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.

As a Newcastle Hospital Charity retail volunteer, your contribution will help to generate profits that will go to support hundreds of individual projects each and every year, all in line with our mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the patients, people and wider communities of Newcastle Hospitals.

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.

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

• Mondays  :  11:00-14:00
• Thursdays  :  16:00-19:00
• Friday  :  11:00-14:00 or 16:00-19:00
• Saturdays  :  10:00  -13:00

Ward 35 Support Volunteer

Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC), Freeman Hospital

Volunteers must be 18+

Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC) is the largest centre of its kind in the North of England. It treats patients with a combination of compassion and leading edge technology to ensure that they are provided with the very best opportunity to beat cancer in a modern and welcoming environment.

About the Ward

Ward 35 provides specialist care for patients with all types of solid tumour cancers undergoing specific radioactive treatment.

Purpose of the Role

The main purpose of this role is to assist ward staff with ensuring that patients improve their nutritional intake and increase their fluid intake. In addition to this, you will also provide interaction and companionship to lonely patients, collect items from the pharmacy and generally support staff in ensuring that patients receive the best experience during their stay.

Description of main tasks specific to the placement: 

• Take around the drinks and snacks trolley at regular intervals to encourage patients to eat and drink to improve their nutritional intake and increase their fluid intake.
• Spending time with patients who are on their own to help to reduce stress and anxiety
• Collect items form the Pharmacy department
• Engage patients in appropriate leisure activities of their choosing, such as general knowledge quiz, board games and arts and crafts.

Available shifts: 

• Wednesdays : 11:00 - 15:00
• Fridays:  11:00 - 15:00
• Saturdays:  11:00 - 15:00
• Sundays:  11:00 - 15:00 

Note: If you have recently had cancer it is important to consider that volunteering can be emotionally demanding experience so if you are currently or have recently been coping with a medical diagnosis either as a patient, family member or close friend, this may not be the best time for you to volunteer in our patient- facing role. We ask that if you have been personally affected by cancer that you wait for a period of at least 2 years before applying to volunteer.