It’s quite common to have a lists of questions before you start volunteering. If your question doesn’t appear on this list, please feel free to send an email to khft.volunteering@nhs.net and we’ll be happy to help.
All volunteers must complete the necessary training and DBS (criminal record) and occupational health checks, and provide suitable references before they start.
It can take up from four weeks and upwards before you start volunteering. This depends on:
– How quickly you fill in and return the application form
– Whether there is a placement available in the area in which you wish to volunteer
– Whether you attend the appropriate training sessions
– How quickly we receive your references and DBS check back.
People choose Kingston Hospital Foundation Trust because they:
– Enjoy helping others and want to play a role in improving the patient and visitor experience
– Want to give something back to KHFT after they or a family member have been treated here
-Want to contribute to their local community
– Want to use the role to demonstrate their existing skills and further their personal development
– Want to make a positive difference to the lives of others
– Want to meet new people from all walks of life
– Want to put to good use the skills and experience they have gained over their lifetime in supporting the hospital
– Are thinking about career choices, and considering joining the health and social care sector.
Kindly note our volunteering programme does not cover work experience placements. Please call the switchboard on 020 8546 7711 and speak directly to the department you wish to do a work placement with.
Yes, all volunteers must attend our compulsory ‘volunteer full day induction training’. You will have different trainers from across the trust delivering different sessions. You will also have a local induction on your first day.
The majority of our volunteering roles require you to wear our bespoke round neck t-shirt that you wear with your own smart casual clothes. We will provide you with this and it is your responsibility to look after it and keep it clean. You are also required to wear a security badge which must be worn at all times.
You are asked to return both of these items when you leave your volunteer role.
We can provide a reference for you once you have volunteered for six months. If you require a reference before six months we will consider this on an individual basis.
Yes! KHFT pays out of pocket reasonable travel expenses for all volunteers who support us over the minimum shift of three hours or more.
Yes, all our volunteers are asked to complete a health assessment form which includes your Immunisation details.
Should your application be successful it will generate an online link that will enable you to complete the form which is then automatically sent to our Occupational Health Team.
It’s not usually possible to volunteer in different areas, but some volunteers come in twice a week and volunteer in two different areas. Normally volunteers come in once a week and we need them to offer consistency and go to the same area/ward each time. This means that the volunteer and the ward get used to each other and this is more satisfactory for all concerned.
Yes, some of our roles are for 16 year olds and above.
The general advice is to get here via bus, bicycle or foot if at all possible as parking spaces are limited. Volunteers will get free parking only for the time period they are volunteering.
We try to arrange a party for volunteers once or twice a year, e.g. at Christmas time. This is an opportunity to get together and celebrate your contribution and achievements and a chance for us to say thank you.
You can also come to our monthly coffee mornings and meet other volunteers and the volunteering department staff team.
You will also get a regular newsletter and may even be featured in it.
