Volunteer for your local community NHS Trust

Join us and make a real impact in your community.   Supporting patients or helping us to run smoothly behind the scenes, our volunteers are valued and offered fulfilling roles.  

Hear from Jayne Curtis, Pulmonary Rehab Group Volunteer 

I save the staff time where I can, by cleaning equipment and taking temperatures as patients arrive. I help patients by sitting with them while they do their exercises. The NHS has been pushed to the limit and to help a little, where I can, is so satisfying as well as enjoyable.

Steps to get involved 

  1. Look at our available roles 

  1. Complete the enquiry form below 

  1. We’ll get in touch 

Louth 

Our Community Health Services deliver rehabilitation and education through groups. Volunteers play a vital part in helping these groups to run smoothly and making patients feel welcome and comfortable.

This role involves:

  • Welcoming and guiding patients and family members
  • Supporting with infection prevention e.g. wiping down chairs, taking temperatures
  • Preparing and setting up lightweight equipment
  • Supporting patients to follow and record their exercise programme
  • Engaging with patients and carers to motivate and reassure them

This role would suit people who:

  • Enjoy conversation and meeting new people
  • Can be sympathetic and understanding of patients’ needs
  • Can use their initiative as well as working under direction
  • Can travel to the group venue independently

What to expect from the role:

  • To gain experience of working directly with patients as part of NHS
  • To increase your knowledge of health education and rehabilitation
  • The opportunity to use your experiences to support others
  • Free training provided for this role
  • Completion of virtual handbook – Your Volunteer Journey
  • Volunteer Induction Session (3hrs face to face or virtual)
  • E-Learning for Healthcare – Volunteer Learning Modules
  • Local induction and orientation
  • An opportunity to gain a National Volunteer Certificate A free Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required and provided for this role.

Service: Community Cardiology Team Location: Various community venues - Lincolnshire Days/hours: Various days, once a week, 12.30-4.00pm

For further information about this role please contact the Volunteering Team on lhnt.volunteer4lchs@nhs.net

Our busy Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) treat a range of conditions which are not critical or life threatening. Our volunteers provide vital support for patients in the waiting area by making their visit more comfortable and providing information where needed. This is a busy role for people who like being active and enjoy working with people.

This role involves:

  • Welcoming and guiding patients
  • Finding wheelchairs where needed
  • Fetching refreshments for those waiting for transfer
  • Escorting patients to the right ward or area of the hospital
  • Providing company and conversation for anxious patients
  • Relaying information from reception to patients

This role would suit people who:

  • Are friendly, welcoming and confident making conversation
  • Have excellent listening skills
  • Enjoy practical problem solving and are proactive in providing assistance
  • Enjoy physically active roles

What to expect from the role:

  • Experience of an urgent care setting
  • Development of people skills including supporting people who are upset, in pain, frustrated, anxious etc
  • The opportunity be part of a busy, professional team
  • The chance to positively impact patient experience at their time of need
  • Shifts that can fit around your work or study

Free training provided for this role

  • Completion of virtual handbook – Your Volunteer Journey
  • Volunteer Induction Session (3hrs face to face or virtual)
  • E-Learning for Healthcare – Volunteer Learning Modules
  • Local induction and orientation

A free Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required and provided for this role.

Service: Urgent Treatment Centre. Location: County Hospital, Louth. Days/hours: Flexible hours - choose shifts from Mon-Sun (9-12pm, 12-3pm, 3-6pm and 6-9pm)

Gainsborough 

Our Community Respiratory Team is looking for volunteers to support their Pulmonary Rehab groups. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people who have personal experience of pulmonary rehabilitation.

This role involves:

  • Welcoming and guiding patients and family members
  • Supporting with infection prevention e.g. wiping down chairs, taking temperatures
  • Preparing and setting up lightweight equipment
  • Engaging with patients to motivate, reassure and support them

This role would suit people who:

  • Can share their personal experience of pulmonary rehab groups
  • Enjoy conversation and meeting new people
  • Have a positive and proactive attitude

Mandatory training for this role

  • Completion of Your Volunteer Journey – our online volunteer handbook
  • LCHS Volunteer Induction (1 x 3hr session face to face or virtual)
  • E-Learning for Healthcare – Volunteer Learning Modules

Service: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Location: Gainsborough, Lincoln, North Kyme, Legbourne, Hogsthorpe, Bourne, Grantham, Sibsey and Holbeach. Days/hours: various.

The aim of community hospitals is to provide the right care to patients in the right place, by the right healthcare professional and in a timely way. The care provided enables patients to increase their independence, improve their health outcomes and avoid unnecessary admission to acute hospitals or long term care.

Being in hospital can be a worrying and sometimes lonely experience. Patients tell us that the special qualities that volunteers bring make them feel cared for and reassured. Volunteers play a vital role in our community hospitals; spending time on the wards, talking and listening to patients, playing board games/cards/dominoes with patients and assisting with refreshments.

Our Community Hospital Wards have patients admitted from all over the county for rehabilitation and palliative care.

Volunteers are vital on our wards in providing stimulation and company for patients. Keeping patients motivated is essential for their wellbeing and recovery. Support at mealtimes means that patients get the extra encouragement they need.

This role involves:

  • Keeping patients company by engaging in conversation
  • Doing activities with patients such as games, puzzles, crafts
  • Motivating patients to complete self-directed therapy
  • Supporting at mealtimes by handing out meals or encouraging patients to eat and drink
  • Helping patients to keep in touch with their family through virtual visiting
  • Meeting and greeting visitors to show them the way
  • Fetching items for patients from the shop e.g. newspaper

This role would suit people who:

  • Enjoy conversation and meeting new people
  • Can be sympathetic and understanding of patients’ needs
  • Can use their initiative as well as working under direction
  • Can work well in a team

What to expect from the role:

  • To gain experience of working directly with patients in a hospital setting
  • To increase your knowledge of hospital wards and long-term conditions
  • The opportunity to use your experiences to support others
  • The opportunity to support vulnerable people in your community

Mandatory training for this role:

  • Completion of virtual handbook – Your Volunteer Journey
  • Volunteer Induction Session (3hrs face to face or virtual)
  • E-Learning for Healthcare – Volunteer Learning Modules
  • Local induction and orientation

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this role.

Hospital: John Coupland Hospital, Gainsborough.

Days/hours: Various

For further information about this role please contact the Volunteering Team on lhnt.volunteer4lchs@nhs.net.

Skegness

The aim of community hospitals is to provide the right care to patients in the right place, by the right healthcare professional and in a timely way. The care provided enables patients to increase their independence, improve their health outcomes and avoid unnecessary admission to acute hospitals or long term care.

Being in hospital can be a worrying and sometimes lonely experience. Patients tell us that the special qualities that volunteers bring make them feel cared for and reassured. Volunteers play a vital role in our community hospitals; spending time on the wards, talking and listening to patients, playing board games/cards/dominoes with patients and assisting with refreshments.

Our Community Hospital Wards have patients admitted from all over the county for rehabilitation and palliative care.

Volunteers are vital on our wards in providing stimulation and company for patients. Keeping patients motivated is essential for their wellbeing and recovery. Support at mealtimes means that patients get the extra encouragement they need.

This role involves:

  • Keeping patients company by engaging in conversation
  • Doing activities with patients such as games, puzzles, crafts
  • Motivating patients to complete self-directed therapy
  • Supporting at mealtimes by handing out meals or encouraging patients to eat and drink
  • Helping patients to keep in touch with their family through virtual visiting
  • Meeting and greeting visitors to show them the way
  • Fetching items for patients from the shop e.g. newspaper

This role would suit people who:

  • Enjoy conversation and meeting new people
  • Can be sympathetic and understanding of patients’ needs
  • Can use their initiative as well as working under direction
  • Can work well in a team

What to expect from the role:

  • To gain experience of working directly with patients in a hospital setting
  • To increase your knowledge of hospital wards and long-term conditions
  • The opportunity to use your experiences to support others
  • The opportunity to support vulnerable people in your community

Mandatory training for this role:

  • Completion of virtual handbook – Your Volunteer Journey
  • Volunteer Induction Session (3hrs face to face or virtual)
  • E-Learning for Healthcare – Volunteer Learning Modules
  • Local induction and orientation

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this role.

Hospital: Skegness Community Hospital.

Days/hours: Various

For further information about this role please contact the Volunteering Team on lhnt.volunteer4lchs@nhs.net.

Lincoln

Our busy Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) treat a range of conditions which are not critical or life threatening. Our volunteers provide vital support for patients in the waiting area by making their visit more comfortable and providing information where needed. This is a busy role for people who like being active and enjoy working with people.

This role involves:

  • Welcoming and guiding patients
  • Finding wheelchairs where needed
  • Fetching refreshments for those waiting for transfer
  • Escorting patients to the right ward or area of the hospital
  • Providing company and conversation for anxious patients
  • Relaying information from reception to patients

This role would suit people who:

  • Are friendly, welcoming and confident making conversation
  • Have excellent listening skills
  • Enjoy practical problem solving and are proactive in providing assistance
  • Enjoy physically active roles

What to expect from the role:

  • Experience of an urgent care setting
  • Development of people skills including supporting people who are upset, in pain, frustrated, anxious etc
  • The opportunity be part of a busy, professional team
  • The chance to positively impact patient experience at their time of need
  • Shifts that can fit around your work or study

Free training provided for this role

  • Completion of virtual handbook – Your Volunteer Journey
  • Volunteer Induction Session (3hrs face to face or virtual)
  • E-Learning for Healthcare – Volunteer Learning Modules
  • Local induction and orientation

A free Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required and provided for this role.

Service: Urgent Treatment Centre. Location: Lincoln County Hospital, Lincoln. Days/hours: Flexible hours - choose shifts from Mon-Sun (9-12pm, 12-3pm, 3-6pm and 6-9pm)

North Kyme, near Sleaford

Our Community Respiratory Team is looking for volunteers to support their Pulmonary Rehab groups. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people who have personal experience of pulmonary rehabilitation.

This role involves:

  • Welcoming and guiding patients and family members
  • Supporting with infection prevention e.g. wiping down chairs, taking temperatures
  • Preparing and setting up lightweight equipment
  • Engaging with patients to motivate, reassure and support them

This role would suit people who:

  • Can share their personal experience of pulmonary rehab groups
  • Enjoy conversation and meeting new people
  • Have a positive and proactive attitude

Mandatory training for this role

  • Completion of Your Volunteer Journey – our online volunteer handbook
  • LCHS Volunteer Induction (1 x 3hr session face to face or virtual)
  • E-Learning for Healthcare – Volunteer Learning Modules

Service: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Location: Gainsborough, Lincoln, North Kyme, Legbourne, Hogsthorpe, Bourne, Grantham, Sibsey and Holbeach. Days/hours: various.

Ancaster, near Grantham

Our Community Respiratory Team is looking for volunteers to support their Pulmonary Rehab groups. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people who have personal experience of pulmonary rehabilitation.

This role involves:

  • Welcoming and guiding patients and family members
  • Supporting with infection prevention e.g. wiping down chairs, taking temperatures
  • Preparing and setting up lightweight equipment
  • Engaging with patients to motivate, reassure and support them

This role would suit people who:

  • Can share their personal experience of pulmonary rehab groups
  • Enjoy conversation and meeting new people
  • Have a positive and proactive attitude

Mandatory training for this role

  • Completion of Your Volunteer Journey – our online volunteer handbook
  • LCHS Volunteer Induction (1 x 3hr session face to face or virtual)
  • E-Learning for Healthcare – Volunteer Learning Modules

Service: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Location: Gainsborough, Lincoln, North Kyme, Legbourne, Hogsthorpe, Bourne, Grantham, Sibsey and Holbeach. Days/hours: various.

Holbeach

Our Community Respiratory Team is looking for volunteers to support their Pulmonary Rehab groups. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people who have personal experience of pulmonary rehabilitation.

This role involves:

  • Welcoming and guiding patients and family members
  • Supporting with infection prevention e.g. wiping down chairs, taking temperatures
  • Preparing and setting up lightweight equipment
  • Engaging with patients to motivate, reassure and support them

This role would suit people who:

  • Can share their personal experience of pulmonary rehab groups
  • Enjoy conversation and meeting new people
  • Have a positive and proactive attitude

Mandatory training for this role

  • Completion of Your Volunteer Journey – our online volunteer handbook
  • LCHS Volunteer Induction (1 x 3hr session face to face or virtual)
  • E-Learning for Healthcare – Volunteer Learning Modules

Service: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Location: Gainsborough, Lincoln, North Kyme, Legbourne, Hogsthorpe, Bourne, Grantham, Sibsey and Holbeach. Days/hours: various.

Boston

Our busy Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) treat a range of conditions which are not critical or life threatening. Our volunteers provide vital support for patients in the waiting area by making their visit more comfortable and providing information where needed. This is a busy role for people who like being active and enjoy working with people.

This role involves:

  • Welcoming and guiding patients
  • Finding wheelchairs where needed
  • Fetching refreshments for those waiting for transfer
  • Escorting patients to the right ward or area of the hospital
  • Providing company and conversation for anxious patients
  • Relaying information from reception to patients

This role would suit people who:

  • Are friendly, welcoming and confident making conversation
  • Have excellent listening skills
  • Enjoy practical problem solving and are proactive in providing assistance
  • Enjoy physically active roles

What to expect from the role:

  • Experience of an urgent care setting
  • Development of people skills including supporting people who are upset, in pain, frustrated, anxious etc
  • The opportunity be part of a busy, professional team
  • The chance to positively impact patient experience at their time of need
  • Shifts that can fit around your work or study

Free training provided for this role

  • Completion of virtual handbook – Your Volunteer Journey
  • Volunteer Induction Session (3hrs face to face or virtual)
  • E-Learning for Healthcare – Volunteer Learning Modules
  • Local induction and orientation

A free Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required and provided for this role.

Service: Urgent Treatment Centre. Location: Pilgrim Hospital, Boston. Days/hours: Flexible hours - choose shifts from Mon-Sun (9-12pm, 12-3pm, 3-6pm and 6-9pm)

Sibsey, near Boston

Our Community Respiratory Team is looking for volunteers to support their Pulmonary Rehab groups. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people who have personal experience of pulmonary rehabilitation.

This role involves:

  • Welcoming and guiding patients and family members
  • Supporting with infection prevention e.g. wiping down chairs, taking temperatures
  • Preparing and setting up lightweight equipment
  • Engaging with patients to motivate, reassure and support them

This role would suit people who:

  • Can share their personal experience of pulmonary rehab groups
  • Enjoy conversation and meeting new people
  • Have a positive and proactive attitude

Mandatory training for this role

  • Completion of Your Volunteer Journey – our online volunteer handbook
  • LCHS Volunteer Induction (1 x 3hr session face to face or virtual)
  • E-Learning for Healthcare – Volunteer Learning Modules

Service: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Location: Gainsborough, Lincoln, North Kyme, Legbourne, Hogsthorpe, Bourne, Grantham, Sibsey and Holbeach. Days/hours: various.

Virtual and countywide

To help us understand the first impressions patients have of the care they receive from our teams, our organisation regularly undertakes the 15 Steps Challenge across all our community services. The 15 Steps Challenge has been designed to help LCHS think more carefully about quality of care from a patient’s point of view and we are looking for volunteers to help us in this process.

15 Steps Volunteer are part of a small team visiting a service, considering the environment, talking to the patients and staff and assessing whether you would be happy to receive the care provided.

15 Steps is a way to capture the first impressions of a service by gathering observations about the care environment and talking to patients and staff about the care provided.

The purpose of 15 Steps is to:

  • Provide a way of understanding patients’ first impressions more clearly
  • Help staff, patients and others to work together to identify improvements

This role involves:

  • Visiting healthcare sittings as part of a small visit team and sharing your first impressions
  • Observing the way health services are provided
  • Putting yourself in the position of a patient to try and understand the patient perspective and asking yourself the key question, “How would I feel if I was receiving care from this service?”

This role would suit people who:

  • Have excellent observational skills
  • Have the ability to be impartial
  • Have the ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels
  • Can be sympathetic and understanding of patients’ needs
  • Can be flexible and sensitive to the need for patient privacy and dignity
  • Can travel to the 15 Steps venue independently
  • Would prefer ad hoc volunteering opportunities rather than regular commitments

What to expect from the role:

  • To increase your knowledge of different healthcare settings and the different ways that healthcare is delivered
  • The opportunity to influence quality improvement
  • Work alongside NHS staff and patients
  • Make a positive difference to patient experience

Mandatory training for this role

  • Completion of Your Volunteer Journey – our online volunteer handbook
  • LCHS Volunteer Induction (1 x 3hr session face to face or virtual)
  • E-Learning for Healthcare – Volunteer Learning Modules
  • 15 Steps briefing session

Service: All LCHS services Location: Community and hospital locations across the county including virtual visits Days/hours: various – ad hoc.

LCHS produces a wide range of resources aimed at giving patients the information they need to complement their care. We are committed to ensuring it is easy to understand, useful and accessible to all sections of the community.

To help us achieve this we are looking for people to join our readers’ panel. As members of the panel, volunteers are sent information such as leaflets and policies to read and comment on and are asked to think about:

  • how information is worded
  • how it is presented
  • whether it answers the questions you would have

The LCHS readers’ panel requires no previous knowledge or expertise, just honest feedback. Volunteers are required to sign a confidentiality form.

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