An image of the volunteer to career logo and the words "A brand-new programme supporting a direct route in to work in the healthcare sector"

Take the First Step Towards a Career in Healthcare

Are you interested in a career within the NHS or healthcare but unsure where to start? Our Volunteer to Career Programme offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience, develop your confidence and learn more about working in healthcare while making a difference to patients, visitors and staff.

The programme combines practical volunteering experience with a series of supportive learning sessions designed to help you develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to take the next step on your career journey.

Image of Julia Clarke, Director of Public Participation, giving a certificate of completion to a VTC candidate

What Does the Programme Involve?

Participants will:

  • Complete a minimum of 50 hours of volunteering within the Trust
  • Attend five interactive evening sessions delivered by Rachel Armstrong our Head of Non-Clinical Education (nursing, midwives and allied health professional)
  • Receive support and guidance from a designated member of staff throughout the programme
  • Complete all required recruitment checks and volunteer training before starting

The five evening sessions focus on:

Trust Values – Discover the values that underpin everything we do and explore how they shape the culture of the NHS.

Confidence as a Superpower – Build confidence, resilience and self-belief to help you achieve your goals.

Reaching Your Potential – Identify your strengths, explore career pathways and develop skills for future success.

Applications and Personal Statements – Learn how to complete effective applications, write strong personal statements and present yourself positively to employers and education providers.

Celebration Event – Reflect on your achievements, celebrate your progress and consider your next steps.

The Volunteer to Career Programme is designed to support and prepare individuals for future opportunities within healthcare and beyond. Upon completion, we encourage participants to continue volunteering while exploring their next steps, whether that be:

  • Applying for jobs
  • Pursuing apprenticeships
  • Applying for college or university courses
  • Exploring other education and training opportunities

Whilst the programme provides valuable experience, skills and support, completion of the programme does not guarantee employment within the NHS or the Trust. Participants remain responsible for managing their own career journey and making applications for future opportunities.

We understand that starting a new journey can feel daunting. That’s why every participant will be assigned a dedicated member of staff who will provide support, encouragement and guidance throughout the programme.

All volunteers will also complete our recruitment checks and volunteer training before commencing their role.

To help you decide whether volunteering with us is right for you, please watch our volunteer information video which explains the volunteer journey, what you can expect from your role, and the recruitment, training and support provided by the Trust.

Volunteer to Career Success Stories

Image of VtC candidate now in their Staffordshire University training nurse uniform.

Charlotte Newby

“I have now been studying at Staffordshire University for the past three months doing a midwifery degree. I am loving it! I would like to thank you for the opportunity I had on the Volunteer to Career programme as I know this strengthened my application for university. Not to mention the experience to work on the postnatal unit before deciding on this career path.

“I’m doing my midwifery placements with SaTH at the Princess Royal Hospital, a far cry from my old career as a kitchen designer. I am very passionate about this career and would gladly share my experience on the Volunteer to Carer programme with others.”

Image of Bailey Thompson receiving her volunteer to career certificate from Nigel Lee, Exec Director of Strategy and Partnerships

Bailey Thompson

“My name is Bailey and I am a future midwife. I moved to the UK in 2017 and worked for years in recruitment, but my heart was really never in it and in June of 2021 I had my first child – I thought it would be such an interesting job to be a midwife.

“New motherhood and promise of a promotion got the better of me, however, and I pushed that feeling away and forgot about it. Then I had my second child- and during the chaos of her early arrival and the subsequent seven weeks she spent on neonatal I started to remember why I thought midwifery was such an interesting job, and that feeling of intuition that I had pushed away two years before was coming back.

“Then one day when walking through the Princess Royal Hospital to visit my girl in neonatal I noticed a sign saying ‘Volunteer to Career midwifery’ and it felt like it was put there specifically for me to see, letting me know this was my chance. I got in touch that very same day and by October my baby was home and I was spending 4-8 hours a week on post and antenatal at Princess Royal Hospital.

“This programme was the best thing that I could have found – it allowed me to gain insight into the role of a midwife beyond being a patient, it allowed me to become a part of the team at my local Trust and helped open my eyes to what an amazing and challenging field it would be. I was unsure about applying for the midwifery programme and every single midwife, maternity support worker, and women support worker stood by me and cheered me on, supporting my dream in a way I didn’t know was even possible.

“It’s thanks to this programme that at 35 I have found the courage to restart my career and go back to school, as I have been accepted for the midwifery programme starting in September 2024 and hope to do my placement with SaTH.

“Programmes like VtC can change lives and help people realise dreams that they didn’t even know they had. I’m so lucky for everything that led me to this place in my life and feel so fortunate to have had the volunteer team behind me every step of the way.”

Image of Volunteer Rodica Birca now in her uniform as a Ward Clark

Rodica Birca

“I am proud to have been part of the volunteering team at SaTH, and it was an inspiring experience that significantly impacted my career path. Through this opportunity, I gained essential skills and discovered my passion for healthcare.

The team at SaTH was incredibly supportive, and I learned something new each day, which bolstered my self-confidence in interacting with patients and staff. My communication skills improved as I learned to interact empathetically with patients’ families and communicate effectively with the team. Motivated by this positive experience, I applied for the role of Maternity Ward Clerk and was thrilled to be accepted.

As a new starter, I am enjoying my role immensely, having met new people and joined an amazing, supportive team. This experience has been incredibly fulfilling, and I am eager to continue achieving newgoals.

I would highly recommend volunteering to others, as it provides valuable skills, personal growth, and a pathway to paid employment.”