Volunteering Opportunities

Zehran Punekar - Began volunteering in December 2023

Volunteering as a Hospital Guide at Royal Preston Hospital has been a very fruitful experience. I have learnt much more than I expected when coming into this role. Each time I volunteer it is enjoyable - being able to interact with all sorts of people; helping them at a time of need; having great conversations with fellow volunteers and always learning something new makes the role incredibly fulfilling.

Elaine Green - Began volunteering in 2014

I'm proud to say that I have been working as a Volunteer for almost 10 years at the Royal Preston Hospital. My rationale was/is to give something back to a wonderful organisation which has supported me and others for decades.

I have had great fortune of various voluntary roles during my time in service such as;  Baby Beat/ Hospital Charites, Patient Feeding Scheme, Chaplaincy Services and also during Covid working within the Vaccination programme. Working as a volunteer has enabled me to draw upon my life skills, to develop new relationships and maintain a balance of physical and mental well-being.

I would and do encourage anyone to visit the role of a volunteer and feel the rewards which it has to offer.

Can I apply for multiple roles?

Volunteers will only be able to apply for a maximum of two roles at a time. If, after a while in your role you decide that you would like to try something else in the hospital, that is not a problem. You would need to meet with the Volunteer Service Manager to discuss this.

Who can volunteer?

You must be over 16 years old to volunteer with us. There are some roles that are for people aged 18 and over so please check the role description before you apply. We do not have an upper age limit as we want people from all walks of life to bring their experiences to support us here at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.

We welcome UCAS student applications but that we cannot accept applications after the end of June, due to the amount of time the application process takes, we want to ensure that people have enough time to get some substantial volunteering completed.

Having a positive DBS check (past criminal record) does not mean that you cannot apply for a volunteering role in the hospital. We work closely with our workforce team to review each application on an individual basis. If we are unable to place you in a hospital role, we will ensure that you receive support from Preston CVS to be able to find an opportunity to make a difference in the community where you live.

Your safety and well-being are our top priorities. Our thorough application process ensures that our Trust remains a safe and welcoming environment for all.

As part of the application process, we conduct various checks to uphold our commitment to safety. These include the essential Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, ensuring peace of mind for both volunteers and those we serve. Additionally, our Occupational Health assessment and Right to Work verification further guarantee a secure and inclusive environment.

We understand that waiting can be tough, which is why we strive to expedite the process whenever possible. While it may take up to six weeks for all checks to be completed, rest assured that we're dedicated to getting you started as soon as possible.

We take volunteers from 16 years old onwards and there is no upper age limit. There are some roles that are only suitable for over 18 year olds though.

We believe that learning and growth go hand in hand with making a difference. Before you dive into volunteering, we provide you with five online learning modules to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to thrive. But that's just the beginning!

Once you're on board, we're committed to supporting your ongoing development. Whether you need additional training for your specific role or want to expand your skill set, we're here to provide the resources you need, when you need them.

We also ask volunteers to take part our Welcome to the Trust online learning sessions that provide valuable insights into our organization's values and mission.

Yes! Volunteers' expenses should be claimed back, we don’t want you to be out of pocket for giving up your time. Volunteers are also offered free parking spaces (although parking is limited) and meal vouchers depending on the length of your shift.

The impact you make extends far beyond the walls of our facilities. As a volunteer, you're not just lending a hand; you're shaping the very fabric of your community.

Volunteering with us opens doors to invaluable transferable skills and experiences that enrich your personal and professional life. Plus, you'll forge lasting friendships and gain a deeper understanding of how hospitals function.

We believe in rewarding our volunteers for their dedication and hard work. That's why we offer a range of exclusive benefits, including access to our cycle to work scheme, free NHS health checks to keep you in top shape, and complementary therapies to help you unwind and relax.

Volunteers are also able to sign up to get the Blue Light Card which offers those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces with discounts online and in-store.

Recruitment can take a little while to get through but we believe its 100% worth the wait, it can take up to 6 weeks to get through the process but we do try to get through applications as quickley as we can. 

Step 1: You apply using our online recruitment system to complete an application form for the role you want to apply for

Step 2: Your application is reviewed by the Volunteer Services Manager

Step 3: You will be invited to have a chat with the Volunteer Services Manager if your application meets the criteria in the role specification. 

• Anyone who doesn't quite meet the criteria is referred to Preston Volunteers and Community CVS who will be able to support you into finding an alternative role

Step 4: If you are successful, the Recruitment Team will begin carrying out various checks including references, ID Check, DBS (where necessary) and Occupational Health Assessment to ensure you are able to carry out the role. If unsuccessful, we will refer you to Preston Volunteers and Community CVS who will be able to support you in finding an alternative role

Step 5: An online learning account will be created for you with the Blended Learning Team so that you can complete your mandatory training

Step 6: Your ID badge and uniform are issued and arrangements made for your first shift.