Will I be able to volunteer immediately?
Unfortunately, for most volunteering roles, there are a number of pre-employment checks that we must do which can take several weeks to complete. You will not be able to volunteer until this process has been completed.
As part of the recruitment process, this Trust, in line with all NHS Trusts is required to seek Disclosure and Barring Services clearance (DBS) on all members of staff and those volunteering their services who, in the course of their normal duties, have access with children and/or vulnerable adults.
You may also be required to complete a work health assessment by our Occupational Health Team whose aim it is to promote and maintain the health of all people. Before health clearance is given for volunteering, you may be contacted by the Occupational Health Team and may need to be seen by an Occupational Health Advisor or physician. You may be asked to have a vaccination/s if required.
Will I be interviewed?
You will be invited to come in for an informal interview. This will give us a chance to get a better understanding of what kind of volunteering work you would like to do. We recruit into specific vacant volunteer roles, so this meeting will help us establish if there are any suitable roles for you at the moment.
If there are no suitable vacancies for me, what happens next?
If there are no suitable vacancies for you, we will keep you on our database and contact you in the future when a role comes up which is a good match for your skills/availability.
Will I get training for a volunteer role?
Yes. All volunteers must attend a Trust volunteer induction session and you will also have a local induction in the area in which you will be volunteering. Some roles require extra training before you begin to volunteer with us. Once you are in your role, there are lots of ongoing training opportunities available.
Are there any age limitations for volunteers?
Volunteers must be aged 16 or over. To work in some acute areas, volunteers need to be aged 18 or over. There is no upper age limit.
What kind of commitment is required?
We ask for a minimum commitment of 100 hours, however many of our volunteers are happy to stay with us for longer. For most roles, a weekly commitment of a minimum of 3 hours is required but this can vary according to the specific volunteer role. You are free to volunteer for as many hours as you would like per week, however this needs to be at regular, agreed times. We are very flexible and there are often opportunities to volunteer in the evening or at weekends.
What is the Healthy Futures scheme?
Healthy Futures is a scheme in which volunteers who have goal orientated aspirations can log their hours towards receiving a certificate in recognition of 100 hours of voluntary service at the Trust. Our Healthy Futures volunteers receive their certificates at our Annual Volunteer Thank You Event.
I would like to shadow staff whilst volunteering. Is this possible?
It is not possible to engage in shadowing staff, nor will you ever be asked to provide any clinical care to patients. There is often some confusion between work experience and Volunteering. Volunteering involves a regular commitment of time and is not a structured learning programme. You will not be shadowing and assisting staff and you will not rotate regularly between departments. You are likely, however, to get a good feel of how a Hospital works. For more information about work experience click here.
Will I get paid expenses?
Volunteers can claim back any out of pocket expenses they have encountered. There is a policy which governs this process.
Do you just need volunteers at Blackpool Victoria Hospital?
Not at all! We are also seeking volunteers to help us at other Trust locations and out within the community.
There is often some confusion between work experience and volunteering.
Volunteering involves a regular commitment of time and is not a structured learning programme. You will not be shadowing and assisting staff and you will not rotate regularly between departments. You are likely, however, to get a good feel of how a Hospital works. For more information about work experience see our Work Experience Site.