Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
All volunteers (except for Making a Difference Days and Corporate Volunteering) are required to complete an application form and all relevant recruitment checks including interview, 2 x references, DBS check (if required for role), Occupational Health Clearance and set of training modules.
Volunteer Scheme (18 years +)
This scheme is open to all individuals aged 18 and over. Volunteers on this scheme are able to volunteer in most areas of the Trust including wards, administration areas and outpatients.
Young Volunteer Scheme (16-17 years old)
This scheme is suitable for anyone aged 16-17 years old. We offer young people on this scheme a volunteer placement in a clinical setting (such as a ward) for 6 -12 months. This scheme is very popular so we recommend that individuals apply as early as possible. Please note that this scheme is not suitable for individuals wanting a short work experience placement.
Volunteer to Career Programme
This is a brand-new programme which provides a direct route in to work in the healthcare sector. It’s ideal for people who are interested in a career in Midwifery and would like to try out the role to see if it’s for them. You do not need previous experience or qualifications to apply for this programme.
Corporate Volunteer Scheme
The support of local businesses makes a real difference. We offer volunteering days for local businesses which will support a hospital project. To find out about how your business can support the Trust then please contact the Volunteer Office.
We are also grateful to any local business who would like to support our fundraising appeals and we can provide more information on current appeals and the different your support can make.
Making a Difference Day
This volunteer scheme is open to individuals who would like to give their time but cannot commit to a regular volunteer placement. Throughout the year the Trust holds ‘Making a Difference Days’ in which individuals can volunteer their time to a specific project, like gardening. As these are one off day events individuals do not need to undergo the same recruitment process as our regular volunteers, however all Making a difference days do not involve patient contact.
Staff Volunteer Scheme
Staff at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust can apply to volunteer in a different area to their paid role within the organisation. This scheme is a fantastic opportunity for staff to gain skills and insight into a different department within the hospital.
When we are actively recruitment you can click the ‘apply now’ button on the main volunteer webpage and you will be redirected to My Impact, which is our volunteer management portal. You will need to create a username and password to access this portal. We may occassionally pause recruitment, in which case you will be directed to an expression of interest page and we will get in touch when we resume applications.
If you would prefer to receive an application form in paper format, please contact the Volunteer Team on 01743 49 2256 or sath.volunteers@nhs.net.
Your volunteer application will be reviewed, and references requested, within 5 working days of candidates submitting an application. At which point, if successful, you will be asked to book an interview with the Volunteer Team. Following a satisfactory interview, Volunteers will be asked to complete a number of checks and training including DBS check (if required for the role), Occupational Health clearance and a set of eLearning modules.
We expect volunteers to complete the recruitment process within 2 – 4 weeks after the interview. Naturally, this depends on applicants completing their paperwork in a timely manner. It also depends on a DBS check and references being completed quickly. There could be delays caused by the DBS check or if we need to refer you for any further health checks before you start. We will always communicate this to you.
We will explain every step of the process to you, but should you have any questions please do ask.
We ask all Trust volunteers to commit to a minimum of one volunteering shift of at least 3–4 hours per week for at least 6 months, unless we specifically state otherwise. Volunteers should advise their line manager and the Volunteer Team of any absences in a timely manner.
Volunteers provide non-clinical support to our patients, their relatives and visitors to our hospitals. Volunteers do not provide (or shadow) clinical work and volunteering is different to going on a work experience placement. If you are interested in a work experience placement please click here. The volunteer office is unable to deal with work experience requests. We only recruit to specific roles and ask for a minimum of 6 months commitment to the role.
All prospective volunteers will be asked to provide 2 references, these should be from 2 people who have known you for at least 2 years, other than relatives or friends, one of whom should be your present or most recent employer/line manager, if possible. Students may give the name of a course tutor/lecturer. Long term unemployed applicants may provide the name of a personal referee e.g. a neighbour.
Most volunteer roles will require a DBS (criminal record check) – we take you through this process and will provide more information at your interview.
You will be asked to complete a pre-placement questionnaire regarding your health as well as completing an immunisation review. We take the safety and wellbeing of our volunteers and patients seriously and this will help us to ensure you are being deployed safely.
If you have any other questions, please call 01743 492256 or email sath.volunteers@nhs.net.
Key Info
Contact Us
Telephone
01743 492256
Email
sath.volunteers@nhs.net
Office Hours
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Address
Flat 2 Stretton House, Barn Pool Crescent, off Evolution Road, Mytton Oak Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 8DJ