• Flexible
• Monday Daytime
• Tuesday Daytime
• Wednesday Daytime
• Thursday Daytime
• Friday Daytime

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust runs a network of hospital services across three sites at Pinderfields, Dewsbury and Pontefract. Volunteer roles are currently available at Dewsbury Hospital.

We are looking for Volunteer Ward Befrienders to enhance and enrich patient emotional health, wellbeing, and overall hospital experience at Dewsbury and District Hospital, located at: Halifax Road, Dewsbury WF13 4HS.

Summary of role:

• This service allows us to provide friendship and support to patients in the ward environment. All our patients are cared for with respect and dignity. Volunteers provide services that contribute towards holistic patient care and add to the overall quality of service provided to patients.
• Volunteers complement paid staff they do not supplement them.
• This volunteering opportunity will greatly enhance your experience in life, being involved in your community and creating and sustaining new friendships in a caring supportive environment.
• This role helps to facilitate communication between patients and their relatives to support patient wellbeing.
• Another key function of this role will be to support clinical staff in ensuring effective communication of information between patients and their relatives.

Please note, Mid Yorkshire Teaching Trust have recently changed their recruitment process for 16-17 year old volunteers. If you’re aged 16–17, we open applications twice a year, usually in April and October. While spaces are limited, every application is carefully reviewed. If you apply before the window opens, don’t worry — we’ll hold onto your application and make sure it’s included when we review everyone together.

Days/ times required:

We ask that you can offer a 3 - 4 hour shift per week between Monday - Friday, these are usually split into the following shifts: 8.00am – 12.00pm or 12.00pm– 4.00pm.

Age requirement: This role is available for ages 17+

Skills and abilities required: 

• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Well motivated with a positive attitude
• Patience
• An interest in people
• Excellent time-keeping skills
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Calm and patient manner
• Reliable with a good sense of humour
• Previous experience in organising social activities would be an advantage.
• Willingness to help and support staff and patients
• Commitment to uphold trust core values and NHS policies
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Able to demonstrate empathy and compassion

Travel expenses are offered. You will be required to wear an ID badge and polo shirt and to adhere to patient confidentiality and infection control.

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust

16 yrs and above

• Health/Care/Community

• Application form required
• References required
• DBS (criminal record check that the organisation will organise)

01/05/2026