Become a volunteer

The minimum age to volunteer is 16.

You will need to be able to display some key personal qualities such as empathy and the ability to listen and observe.

You also need to be reliable, a self-starter, and show initiative and attention to detail.

There are lots of reasons why people choose to volunteer with us:

• you like meeting new people
• you’d enjoy helping patients and visitors
• you want to give something back after you or a family member has been treated here
• you’d like to put your skills and experience to good use in your local community
• you enjoy listening and developing new skills
• you are thinking about career choices and are thinking of joining the health and social care sector.

If you’d like to join our volunteer workforce, please apply online 

Apply now

Please note that volunteer recruitment is only open during the following recruitment periods each year:

• September 
• December 
• March 
• June

Applications submitted outside of these recruitment periods will not be considered.

If you have any questions regarding recruitment timelines, please do not hesitate to contact the Voluntary Services Team.

If you need support or have any questions in relation to your application, please contact us.

Ward volunteers

Our amazing ward volunteers play an important role in enhancing the patient experience. Whether it's spending time with patients, offering a friendly conversation, serving refreshments, or collecting feedback about their care, volunteers help create a welcoming and supportive environment across our wards.

Guides / meet and greet volunteers

On average, we welcome around XX visitors to our hospitals each day. Our dedicated guides help patients and visitors find their way around the hospital, provide information and ensure they feel supported and welcomed.

Wellbeing volunteers

Our wellbeing volunteers help create moments of comfort and connection across the Trust. Whether serving refreshments, providing books through our mobile library service, or caring for the garden at University Hospital Lewisham, they support the wellbeing of patients, visitors and staff in a variety of meaningful ways.

For the roles listed above, we ask volunteers to commit to at least two hours per week for a minimum of six months. This helps volunteers settle into their role, build relationships, and make a meaningful contribution to patients, visitors and staff.

As the volunteer recruitment process requires a significant investment of time and resources, we are unable to offer short-term volunteering opportunities during holidays or breaks. Before applying, please consider whether you are able to balance this commitment alongside your other responsibilities.

Support services

We also recognise that alongside the roles above, we have individuals who provide specialist support across the hospital. These volunteers bring additional skills and expertise that enhance the care we offer and strengthen the services available to patients, families, and staff. These include services such as:

• Pets as Therapy
• Chaplaincy
• Patient Participation Forum (PPF)
• Breastfeeding Peer Support 

Occasionally, time limited or ad hoc volunteer roles may be developed for specific activities such as events, engagement or surveys.

We welcome interest from individuals with specific skills or experience and are always keen to explore how these can support and enhance our services. If you believe you could make a valuable contribution, please get in touch to discuss potential opportunities.

Whilst volunteer recruitment is generally limited to our designated recruitment periods, applications for Support Services Volunteer roles may be considered outside of these recruitment windows. These specialist roles are managed directly by our Support Services teams and are recruited in accordance with their individual workforce and service requirements.

Before you can start volunteering, you'll need to complete a number of recruitment checks and training requirements. These helps to ensure your safety and wellbeing, along with our patients and staff.

Below you'll find an outline of each stage of the volunteer recruitment journey and what you can expect before starting your role.

Apply for a vacancy - Volunteer options are listed on Trust website via the Better Impact link - volunteers apply

Assessment - Volunteer candidates will be invited for a Teams interview to find out more about roles and recruitment process plus and ask any questions

Mandatory training and checks - Applicants are require to complete:

• Trust mandatory training
• Identity check
• DBS check
• Occupational health check
• Provide two references

Induction - Once volunteers are ready to start, having completed their mandatory training and checks, they will be invited to a formal induction to their chosen role and given a tour of the area they will be volunteering in.

Volunteer starts - Volunteer in manage by area where they are volunteering with support from Voluntary Services team.

In addition, you will be asked to sign both a Confidentiality Agreement and Volunteer Agreement. If you are under 18, we will carry out a risk assessment of your volunteer role to ensure appropriate support and safeguards are in place.

Once all recruitment checks have been completed and you are ready to start volunteering, a member of the Voluntary Services Team will provide you with a full site induction and introduce you to your key contact within the area where you will be volunteering.

You'll also receive a volunteer polo shirt, yellow volunteer ID badge and lanyard, so you'll be easily recognised as part of our volunteer team.

The safety and wellbeing of our volunteers, patients, visitors and staff is a priority for the Trust. You will not be able to start volunteering until all required recruitment checks and training have been completed.

Where will I be placed?

Once you’re fully complaint and ready to start, you are given a full placement induction / site orientation by a member of Voluntary Services and introduced to the key contact in the area you will be placed in.  

Please note you will be placed in areas where support is required, so we cannot always guarantee that you will be placed in your preferred area.
If you volunteer within a Support Services team, placements will be determined based on operational needs, and you may be assigned to the area where your support can have the greatest impact.

 

What is the volunteer dress code?

Although there is no dress code, we ask that you be mindful that you are representing the Trust.

All volunteers are provided with a volunteer polo shirt, volunteer yellow badge and lanyard which must be worn at all times while volunteering. 

Please note you will not be issued with access/ ID security card unless required for role.

 

Will everyone who applies be offered a volunteer role?

We ask that you are 16 years old or above. Although we welcome applications from all individuals we do have to consider journey times and location.  During busy periods we will prioritise applicants that live within the local community of the London Boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley. 

We will continuously monitor applicants suitability throughout the recruitment process and your placement.  This an opportunity for you and the volunteer team to work out whether volunteering at the Trust is right for you.

 

Can I volunteer as part of my Duke of Edinburgh's Award?

If you are completing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, please tell us which level of the Award you are undertaking when you apply.

Applications are considered on an individual basis; however, we are unable to accept applications from individuals under the age of 16. Volunteers are expected to meet the minimum time commitment required for the role.

 

Can I shadow a doctor or midwife?

We do not organise shadowing. If you are a student planning a career in healthcare, visit the ‘Why join us?’ page for more information: Why join us?

 

Will I receive refreshments while volunteering?

Volunteers who attend for 4 hours or more are provided with refreshments vouchers.  

Vouchers can only be used in our hospital restaurants and not in franchising within the hospital such as Costa coffee. These also cannot be exchange for money.  

 

Will my travel expenses be covered?

We will reimburse you for travel expenses incurred while volunteering. Volunteers will be reimbursed up to the maximum of £3.50 per day for public transport users. Please note you will be required to provide receipts for your travel.

 

Is on-site parking available for volunteers?

No. On-site parking is only available for Trust staff. Please note that we are unable to reimburse parking fees, petrol costs, mileage or any other expenses associated with using a personal vehicle. 

 

Will I be paid for volunteering?

No. Volunteering is an unpaid role. However, volunteers can gain valuable experience, develop new skills, meet new people and make a positive difference to patients, visitors and staff. 

 

Do you offer work experience?

We do not organise work experience. As you are offering your time as a volunteer this cannot be used as a work experience placement as you cannot be assessed.

Please see the work experience section of our website for more details about available opportunities and how to apply: Work experience at LGT

What is the difference between work experience and volunteering?

Volunteering and work experience have different purposes. Volunteers give their time to support patients, visitors, staff and services, while work experience is designed to help individuals gain insight into a particular role or career.

While volunteers may develop new skills and experience, the primary purpose of volunteering is to make a positive contribution to the Trust and the people who use our services.