• Talking to patients and keeping them company. This is particularly important for our patients who may not get many visitors or who may be anxious, such as patients with Dementia
• Sitting and talking with people while they wait for treatments
• Assisting in running activities.

• Helping patients and visitors find where they need to go
• Offering a friendly face during what can be a stressful time
• Taking personal items up to wards.

• We have a dedicated team of volunteers who support our cancer patients during their time with us. This includes offering information and someone to chat to, providing a safe place to talk, and helping people build support networks.

We have a Hospital Radio service at our hospitals that can be heard throughout our sites and online.

• Gathering requests
• Selecting music
• Dedications for patients.

Our Chaplaincy volunteers work with our Chaplains to support our patients, staff and visitors.

• Visiting and talking to patents
• Providing emotional and spiritual support
• Helping to organise prayers

Gardens provide a moment of peace, a quiet space outside away from the hospital environment.

• General gardening
• Working in the open spaces and gardens for patients both to maintain and improve.
• Using the greenhouse to grow flowers for patient rooms.

If you are interested in becoming a Maidstone Hospital League of Friends volunteer, you can:

• Enquire on the LoF website: maidstoneleagueoffriends.co.uk
• Apply via the NHS website: jobs.nhs.uk
• Call Jacqui, the Manager, on 01622 224781.

Maidstone Hospital League of Friends volunteer application form

Is volunteering different from work experience or shadowing?

Volunteering does not involve shadowing nurses or doctors. Becoming a volunteer is a commitment of 3-4 hours per week for a minimum of six months, which allows you to make a real difference to our patients.

If you want to gain a better understanding of the role of a nurse or doctor then please visit the work experience page for more information or email mtw-tr.workexperience@nhs.net

What age can I start volunteering?

16, although if you are below 18 currently you will only be able to volunteer between 9 and 5 on weekdays and will not be allowed into areas such as paediatrics or maternity departments so please be aware of this when you apply.

Do I have to wear a uniform?

Some teams are not required to wear a uniform but if you are in a clinical area then you must follow our policy of ‘bare below the elbows’.

Where required, the uniform consists of a branded black polo shirt, which we provide. In line with the uniform policy, volunteers are not able to wear trainers or open-toed sandals. You will also need to remove jewellery worn below the elbow with the exception of a Kara or plain wedding band. Any earrings need to be of the stud variety.

You will also be required to wear PPE appropriate to your role, e.g. aprons, gloves (you will never be asked to work with COVID positive patients).

Can I use you as a reference?

Yes, once you have logged sixty hours you can email the Voluntary Services Team to provide a refence.

When can I start my volunteering? 

The application process can take up to four months to complete but it will depend on how quickly you are able to attend the relevant training sessions, how quickly your referees respond and how soon your DBS certificate comes through.

Can I use an existing Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate?

If you have an enhanced level DBS certificate for child and adult workforce which is registered with the update service (you would need to have registered this within 19 calendar days from the issue date on the certificate, on the Government website, and have received an email confirming that it was registered) then we can use this.  If you have not registered it or it is not to the right level then we can do a new one for you. Your DBS check will be updated by the Trust every three years.

Do I need to provide references? 

You will need to provide contact details of two referees then we will send them a form to complete and return to us.

The first referee needs to have known you within the last two years and be of standing within the community but if you are currently employed or in education, this should be your current employer or a teacher/tutor. The first referee must be a person in authority i.e. employer, teacher, minister of religion.

If you are currently volunteering, your second referee should be a manager from the organisation you are volunteering for. If you are not volunteering at present you can use a friend or acquaintance. Neither should be a member of your family or a partner.

Both referees must be 18 years old or above.

If you are considering becoming a Chaplaincy Volunteer Visitor an additional reference will need to be obtained from a recognised member of your faith community.

What if I have health or support needs?

During the application and interview process you will have the opportunity to ask any questions specific to your own health or support needs that might impact on your volunteering. We will make every effort to enable you to volunteer with us but there may be situations where this may not be possible.

What training is required before I can start volunteering?

All volunteers have to complete the volunteer mandatory online training required. Additional training relating to the role you have chosen will be provided during the application process.  If you are not comfortable with or have not used any online training before please do not worry, we will help you with it.

You will be offered the opportunity to attend additional non-mandatory training sessions if you wish.

Can I visit different areas and try out roles before I choose?

All of our roles are patient-facing and we have a responsibility to always treat our patients with dignity and respect. It would not be appropriate for us to arrange visits into wards and departments for all of our potential volunteers.  We will provide you with as much information as we can about different roles, give you the opportunity to talk to existing volunteers and help you to choose where you would like to be placed.

Before you start volunteering we will arrange a review date with you so that we can discuss whether you are enjoying your voluntary role. At this point some volunteers decide to increase their hours or look at additional roles.

Can I claim travel expenses?

Volunteers can claim travel expenses through the expenses system and will be paid on the 24th of the month in arrears. This includes mileage and public transport claims. Volunteers are eligible free parking, along with a free bus that runs between Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells hospitals.

Please contact us if you have any questions before you submit your registration of interest. There will be plenty of opportunities to speak to a member of the volunteer services team during the application process.

Thank you for your interest, we look forward to hearing from you.