Volunteers have been making an invaluable contribution to East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust in supporting the promotion and delivery of a safe, personal and effective service for more than 40 years. They commit their time, enthusiasm and experience to support our patients, families, visitors and staff in many different ways. Volunteers play a vital role in supporting the Trust to serve its community by inviting local people to actively contribute to the Trust’s service.
We currently support over 250 volunteers to make a difference across our five hospital sites and in our communities carrying out a wide range of roles which are ever expanding.
The Trust is now working with Lancashire Volunteer Partnership to help our volunteers have the most fulfilling experience they can. All our volunteering opportunities will be shared through their website. If there are no volunteering opportunities for our Trust and you would like to be notified when opportunities become available you can sign up here. Please note, we are unable to accept volunteer applications if there are no opportunities available.
To be a volunteer you need to be over 16 years old, and be willing to commit at least three hours a week for a minimum period of six months.
What do our volunteers say?
“It has been a pleasure these last 6 months realising the tasks and jobs that the healthcare staff carry out. I have found the career I want to go into and that is thanks to volunteer services and the C9 Ward staff.” Inayah
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start immediately?
We have processes we need to follow to make sure volunteering at the Trust is safe, personal and effective. You won’t be able to start volunteering until this process has been completed. As part of this process you will be interviewed, and if you’re successful we will need to complete certain checks, and we’ll support you through some training to make sure you have all the tools you need to enjoy your volunteering.
Will I get training?
Our volunteers must attend a Trust Volunteer induction which will help you understand a bit more about the Trust and our values, as part of this we will take your through the topics you need to know. There aren’t any tests, the training is to support you to volunteer. Some of the roles may require extra training before you begin and this will be explained to you. Once you are in your role there may be additional opportunities for ongoing training that’s related to your role, and if you’re with us for a long time we may need to recap some topics.
How old do I have to be to volunteer?
To volunteer you must be over 16 years old, this is because of the responsibility we are placing on you, and because of the some of the checks we’ll need to complete before you start. There is no upper age limit.
Can I just volunteer in one specific place or role?
You’ll be applying to volunteer for a specific role, if there isn’t a role you’d like to carry out, please keep checking the Lancashire Volunteer Partnership website as there may be something more suitable in the near future. Once with us, we will be as flexible as possible to make sure you’re happy in your role and with the time and place you are volunteering. If you’d like to change anything, volunteer services will support you where possible.
Can I volunteer for work experience or to shadow staff?
Volunteers will have specific roles and do not carry out any shadowing of staff, any clinical roles, or participate in short term work experience placements. We ask volunteers to be willing to commit at least three hours a week for a minimum period of six months. If you’re interested in work experience at the Trust please visit the work experience section for further information.
Will this guarantee me a job?
By definition volunteering involves spending time, unpaid, doing something that aims to benefit the environment or someone other than, or in addition to, close relatives. Volunteering in the Trust will NOT guarantee you paid position. Volunteering can give you really valuable experience and build skills that can help you to gain paid employment within the Trust or another organisation.
Can I claim expenses?
Our volunteers can claim out of pocket expenses they have encountered as a result of their volunteering. There is a process for this which will be explained during your induction.
All vacancies will be posted on the Lancashire Volunteer Partnership website, if there are no roles being advertised, we do not have the capacity to take on any more volunteers at this time.
If you have any other questions, or require any further information, please contact our Volunteer Services Team via volunteering@elht.nhs.uk or call 01254 732500 and select option 1.
