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Are you aged 16-24 and looking to gain experience, develop new skills or explore a career in healthcare?

Our Young People & Student Volunteering Programme is open to anyone aged 16-24 and is ideal for those in full-time education, including college students and university students.

The programme has been designed to provide meaningful, well-supported volunteering opportunities for students who want to gain experience in an NHS hospital, explore careers in healthcare and make a positive difference to patients, visitors and staff.

To ensure we can provide every volunteer with a safe, supportive and valuable experience, we offer one main intake each year in readiness for our summer programme.

Our structured 50-hour Summer Volunteering Programme takes place during the school, college and university summer holidays.

It is perfect for those looking to gain valuable NHS volunteering experience and can be completed:

As a standalone volunteering opportunity.
As the Volunteering section of your Duke of Edinburgh Award.
As the Volunteering section of our Volunteer to Career programme.

How to Apply

Applications for our Young People & Student Volunteering Programme open once each year, with our next recruitment opening on 1st February 2027.

Successful applicants will be offered a place on the most appropriate programme throughout the year, including our Summer Volunteering Programme, Volunteer to Career and/or Duke of Edinburgh volunteering.

Please keep checking this page for updates and details of our next recruitment intake.

If you are looking for work experience rather than volunteering, please contact the Widening Participation Team at sath.wideningparticipation@nhs.net, who will be happy to advise you on the opportunities available.

As an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, we welcome applications from students completing their volunteering section with us.

If you are looking to complete your Duke of Edinburgh volunteering with SaTH, you can register your interest and there are opportunities to start your placement throughout the year by completing our Expression of Interest Form.

Please see our Duke of Edinburgh Award Volunteering page for more information: Duke of Edinburgh Award Volunteering – SaTH

Our Volunteer to Career Programme is designed to help participants explore a career in healthcare by combining 50 hours of volunteering with five interactive development sessions. The programme provides valuable NHS experience, helps build skills and confidence, and offers support and guidance as participants consider their future career.

Completion of the programme does not guarantee a job or apprenticeship with the NHS or the Trust. Instead, it provides valuable experience, insight and preparation to help participants take the next step in their own career journey.

Please see our Volunteer to Career Volunteering page for more information: Volunteer to Career Programme – SaTH

Why Volunteer with Us?

Volunteering with the Trust offers a rewarding opportunity to:

  • Support patients, visitors and staff
  • Develop confidence and employability skills
  • Gain valuable experience
  • Meet new people
  • Give back to your local community

We look forward to supporting you and helping you make a positive difference through volunteering.

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.