Volunteers are at the core of what the League of Friends does… They have over 200 helping in the shops and on the ward trolleys, of all ages from retirees looking to “put something back” whilst socialising to younger people gaining useful experience whilst helping their community. All of the money the volunteers help raise contributes directly to the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, but just as important to them and to the patients is being able to offer a touch of kindness or a friendly smile at what may be a difficult time.

If you think volunteering might be for you, contact the shops manager: 01743 261008.

Speciality Patient Experience Groups are being established to drive patient experience initiatives at a local level. The groups will work to improve patient experience in the area, including:

• How the service responds and learns from feedback
• Identifying trends to inform work and help improve services
• Represent the patient voice, providing insight from a patient perspective

This is an exciting opportunity for patients or carers who have accessed services within the Trust during 2021 & 2022 to get involved within a wide range of services such as; Medicine, Emergency, Surgery, Women’s Health, Maternity, Children & Young People, Support Services and Corporate Services.

Volunteering in Administration means you’ll be working closely with a team of passionate and dedicated people who are working hard to make a difference at our hospitals. Tasks may include answering telephone enquiries, photocopying or filing.

The aim of the role as a ward-based volunteer is to make a patient’s stay in hospital as comfortable as possible by offering them your friendliness, energy and resourcefulness throughout your time there. As a ward-based volunteer, you will work in partnership with ward staff, patients and carers to provide extra support and encouragement to patients on the ward.  There are many aspects to ward-based roles and for some elements (mealtime buddies and activity volunteers) you will need to complete additional training provided by the Volunteer Team.

A ward is a busy environment and it is essential that volunteers are able to take a proactive approach to the role, whilst always being guided by the Nurse in Charge, your role description and importantly, the wishes of the individual patient. To be considered for this role you must have an empathetic and caring nature and be available for at least 4 hours every week.

Volunteers in A&E support clinical staff and patients with non-clinical tasks to expedite the assessment and booking in process for walk in patients in the A&E department. Volunteers will support the smooth running of the department and the welfare of patients attending A&E.

Be part of a dedicated team of volunteers who support our maternity services.  As a maternity volunteer you will support women and their families in a variety of settings.  You could be meeting and greeting visitors and patients to the area or be on the wards offering support.

Be part of a dedicated team of volunteers who support our Paediatric Ward Volunteer (children’s ward). A key part of the Paediatric Ward Volunteer role will be to support the smooth running of the ward area, provide company and activities for our patients and support parents/guardians visiting patients.

Volunteers in this area can make a huge difference to our patients receiving care for a cancer diagnosis. Whether in a meet and greet role or providing company and refreshments to patients receiving treatment, a warm and smiley face can make a hard day a little easier.

A warm smile and an offer to help can make a huge difference to someone who maybe visiting our hospital for the first time, who may be confused or stressed or simply rushing to get to an appointment and needs quick and simple advice to help them get to their destination. Meet and Greet Volunteers are on hand to support patients and visitors when they come onto the hospital sites.

Volunteers in the Discharge Lounges will support the well being of patients and their timely discharge. Volunteers will work alongside staff to transfer patients to the lounges, collect and deliver discharge letters, prescriptions and belongings. They will also support patients waiting to go home by keeping them company, signposting and serving refreshments.

Our youth volunteering programme is aimed at 16 and 17 year olds who are interested in a future job in healthcare. We are committed to supporting young people in their career aspirations within the NHS. Our youth programme is currently closed to applications and will reopen in February 2024.

Volunteer to Career 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 the NHS and would like to try out the role to see if it’s for them. We are currently recruiting people looking for roles in Midwifery.