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"

The Volunteer to Career Programme allows people to explore careers in healthcare while volunteering. The programme offers our volunteers placements to gain experience and training sessions with clinical leads to develop their skills and knowledge.

The VtC programme will give you a great insight into a particular profession and you do not need previous experience or qualifications to apply.

The Volunteer to Career programme is a great opportunity if:

  • You want a change in career but don’t know where to start
  • You are not sure if a career in healthcare is for you and want to try it out before applying for a paid job or course
  • You have been out of work for a length of time and need a gradual route back into work
  • You have been turned down for jobs in the NHS due to lack of knowledge and experience in the NHS
Image of Rachel Armstrong, Volunteer to Career Clinical Lead, with 4 Maternity Volunteers

What does the programme involve?

  • If you are not already a volunteer at our Trust, you will need to go through the recruitment process to become a volunteer
  • This is a 5-6 month programme with a commitment to complete a minimum of 4 hours volunteering per week (so 50 hours in total). We will work with you to identify an area where you would like to volunteer and provide support to you throughout that time
  • You will be supported each step of the way and will have a mentor who will help you learn the skills you need
  • Access to CV writing workshops, interview skills seminars, ‘Ask the Experts Q&A’s, personal statement and job application support

Who can apply?

  • We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds across the communities we serve; including members of the public and current Trust staff
  • The programme is completely free of charge and uniform will be supplied
  • You don’t have to pay for the training, you only need to volunteer your time at our Trust
  • No previous experience or qualifications are needed to apply

If you’re ready to make a difference in the lives of others while starting your journey towards a fulfilling career in the NHS, contact us sath.volunteers@nhs.net for more information about any upcoming Volunteer to Career (VtC) Programmes.

We are excited to work with you and help you achieve your career aspirations in healthcare. With the VtC program, you will have the opportunity to gain the experience, knowledge, and connections you need to succeed in the healthcare industry.

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.”