Fundraising & Voluntary Services

Voluntary Services

The Great Western Hospital in Swindon is pleased to have the goodwill of volunteers to help give the best of care to our patients, their friends and families.

Fundraising

 

 

Our volunteers help to provide the valuable link between the hospital and the community and often prompt us to see things from a different perspective. They not only provide help and support for patients and staff but feedback comments and ideas on behalf of the public. Each volunteer brings something special and unique and collectively build a highly efficient team.

Working as a hospital volunteer can help you learn new skills, find out more about health care, meet new people and contribute to the community.

The volunteer team in The Great Western Hospital has been recognised and awarded the Investors in People standard, not as part of the Trust as a whole, but in their own right, which is a tremendous achievement. We also receive a patient escort service from the WRVS. The Red Cross provide volunteers who undertake Therapeutic Massage and training in 'camouflage' makeup for patients with wounds/blemishes. The British Red Cross Independent Living Services respond to people’s short-term health and social care needs.

Contact Information

Fundraising and Voluntary Services Manager,
Natalie Prinsloo
T: 01793 60 52 48

Fundraising and Voluntary Services Coordinator, Victoria Jacobs
T:01793 60 52 47


or email:
fundraising.voluntaryservices@smnhst.nhs.uk

Volunteers DO make a difference every day! Your few hours a week greatly contribute to the well being of our patients and help them gain self esteem and satisfaction through interaction and creativity. In turn, the contribution you make is greatly appreciated by the Trust.

Volunteers
  • enhance the care provided by the Hospital Staff
  • make patients’ stay more comfortable and so help speed their recovery
  • allow staff more time to concentrate on the tasks they have been trained for
  • provide patients with services that make their hospital experience less stressful

Can I volunteer? We welcome all volunteers from age 17 upwards, whatever your background. There is no upper age limit, providing you are reasonably fit.

All volunteers are recruited via a similar process to paid staff; this includes the need for occupational health screening, CRB clearance (police checks) and attending the hospital induction.

What can I do? Like many others who volunteer, you can:

  • Help on wards - Talking and visiting with patients - Assisting with meals on the wards, helping patients with menus, distributing meals, making and serving drinks - Freshen up flowers where appropriate - Undertake general errands for both staff and patients, e.g. collecting items from the WRVS shop etc
  • Help the play specialists on the Children’s Unit
  • Provide a welcome to patients arriving at the main hospital entrance
  • Provide a welcome and support at the Cancer Information Point
  • Department volunteers – helping to support staff in the Day Surgery, Fracture Clinic, Physiotherapy etc.
  • Helping with clerical tasks
  • Doing manicures and simple hand massage etc
  • Fundraising
  • Help as a Chaplaincy volunteer, meeting with patients on wards and offer our Chaplaincy service as required
  • Join the WRVS Guide/Escort Service
  • Help in the WRVS Shop
  • Hospital Radio
  • Or you may have a particular skill that you think could be put to good use

 

And many other opportunities within the hospital.

How much time do I have to give? Volunteers are needed mornings, afternoons and evenings every day of the week. You can offer as much time as you wish to give. All that we ask is that you are prepared to give a minimum of three hours per week.
Will I be asked to do something I don't want to do? No. Because we have a clear description of each voluntary role, and this is agreed before you start.
What if I want to change my role? You can change course and try something different.

What will I enjoy about volunteering?

  • Meeting new people.
  • Making friends.
  • A sense of belonging.
  • Being able to give something back to the community.
  • Learning new skills.
  • An opportunity to attend training sessions.
  • A 'stepping stone' into Health Care.
  • Looking at a possible new career direction.
  • An annual social event.
Expenses & Parking. No Volunteer should be out of pocket as a result of their voluntary work. Volunteers are able to claim back the cost of bus or train travel and are encouraged to do this in line with the Hospital's Green Transport Plan, or can use a staff parking permit.

How to become a volunteer. The number of people applying to join our team of volunteers are growing steadily. We recruit new volunteers twice a year – April and September. We offer people the opportunity to be placed on our waiting list or "interested" list with the promise to contact them in April/September when we have successfully completed all the applications already in progress.

Unfortunately this does mean that there is a wait time for people who are keen enough to join the list, but it does mean that their actual recruitment, once started, can be managed in a much more satisfactory way. The recruitment process, once started, can then take at least another 6-8 weeks to complete due to all the clearances required etc.

We have a variety of placement opportunities so we always need volunteers, but we do have a duty to recruit and place volunteers in a way which ensures safety for all concerned. The Hospital welcomes Volunteers who are over 17 of age and able to help over a period of not less than 6 months. Due to the length of the recruitment process we can only take voluntary placements for a minimum of 6 months. For work experience placements on wards/departments please contact our Academy on tel. 01793 60 40 20.

There are also areas where placements are limited and quickly filled, such as maternity and paediatrics, so it is worth checking if you have a specific choice of placement area, before adding your name to the list.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the Great Western Hospital we ask you to write or contact us at the Fundraising & Voluntary Services Department.