We are really grateful to the many volunteers who support what we do and provide a commitment of time to help in our hospitals and in the community.
If you choose to volunteer with us, you will be warmly welcomed, regardless of where you are working.
Our volunteer service is supported by Newcastle Hospitals Charity and our valuable volunteers work across the Royal Victoria Infirmary, the Freeman Hospital, the Great North Children’s Hospital and the Northern Centre for Cancer Care.
As a volunteer there are no obligations and you are free to take on as many roles as you wish. All that we ask is that you commit to a minimum of 1 x 4 hour fixed shift per week for a minimum of 6 months.
Volunteers aren’t just helping the NHS improve efficiencies. They are building trust, easing pain, and offering presence in moments that matter most. In a world where healthcare often makes headlines for what’s missing, this service is a powerful reminder of what’s still here: people – volunteers – quietly showing up, delivering care in every sense of the word."
Alison Haigh, volunteer services manager
Most of our opportunities require a minimum age of 18 years however some roles are suitable for over 16s. Under 18s will need to complete a consent form, which should be signed by a parent or guardian.
To find out more about volunteering at Newcastle Hospitals, please get in touch via email at [email protected]
If you’re interested in volunteering but can only commit on an occasional basis, take a look at our events and fundraising opportunities.
How do I apply?
- You will need to complete an application form to provide your details and allow us to match you with an appropriate volunteering role. Please use your application to tell us more about your motivation to volunteer with us, in addition to what skills and benefits you can bring to the role.
- We undertake NHS standard employment checks for anyone working, paid or unpaid on our premises.
- We require references from two individuals who have known you for at least three years. These can be from employers but, if you have not been recently employed, can be from someone like a teacher/tutor, religious or cultural leader, case worker, community or social worker or family doctor. Friends and close relatives are not accepted as referees. Without two appropriate references we will be unable to accept your application.
- You will also need to complete and occupational heath online assessment, to make sure you’re fit to undertake the role you are volunteering for and to identify if any modifications are required to assist you to undertake the role.
- Most of our contact with you will be via email, so please make sure that you provide us an up-to-date email address and do keep checking your inbox. If you have a Hotmail account, then please check your junk folder regularly too.
- Currently it is taking 1-6 weeks for applications to work their way through the process.
Volunteering for Newcastle Hospitals over these past months has been a really great experience, and it has given me so much joy in being able to reach out and support patients, providing reassurance and helping them to always stay positive and happy regardless of their situation.
Justina, volunteer
