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.

What will the role involve?

• 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+

We welcome the following 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

Dress Code:

An ID badge and volunteer tabard or polo shirt must be worn at all times to clearly define the role of volunteer for patients.

What will happen after I apply?

After you have applied for this role, you will be invited to attend a Welcome Session at Dewsbury Hospital. These sessions take place monthly on a Monday. If you cannot attend one of these sessions, please let the Volunteer Services team know and they will arrange a meeting at another time. The Welcome Session is your chance to find out more about the hospital’s volunteer roles, requirements to become a volunteer and what you can expect as volunteer with Mid Yorkshire Teaching Trust. The Volunteer Services team will tell you what documents you need to take with you when booking you on to the session. After the Welcome Session, you will need to do some e-learning followed by an Induction Day on a Tuesday at 9.30am - 2.30pm. Support with training will be provided.

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

• 18+
• 16 - 18 year olds