Frequently Asked Questions

Depending on what programme you have applied for will depend on how long it will take but from submitting your application to being placed in your chosen volunteering role, it takes between 6-8 weeks until you are ready to start volunteering. This is because of the interview, induction training period and Disclosure Scotland checks which must be completed before you can start. At points in the year this can be longer if we are experiencing high demand.  We will do our best to minimise the wait time wherever possible.

If you successfully pass your volunteer interview, part of the process of becoming a volunteer with NHS Lothian requires you to produce criminal records check documents or ‘Certificates of Good Character’ (sometimes known as police checks). We require these documents from any country where you have lived outside of the UK for 12 consecutive months or more in the last 5 years, while aged 18 or over, with the exception of; Germany, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Hungary, Greece, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Poland.

Guidance on how to apply for these can be found here opens a new window. Please look up the country/countries applicable to you.

Where a country is unable to provide you with a certificate or to do so would not be possible for you, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can discuss next steps. If you already have criminal records check documents or ‘Certificates of Good Character’ from the countries you have lived in, you can provide these to us once you successfully pass your interview to volunteer.

Following the Covid pandemic some patients, members of the public and volunteers may continue to choose to wear a face covering whilst attending our hospital sites or other health premises and we will endeavour to support this.

Some rooms will have patients who have an infection and need to be isolated. We advise our volunteers to stay away from these rooms but if they have to go in they must adhere the guidelines which will be posted on the door. For example, keeping door closed, using hand gel or washing hands and wearing full PPE.

NHS Lothian volunteers can claim out of pocket expenses.  We pay  mileage at 28p per mile for anyone living in the NHS Lothian board area, bus and train tickets (must keep receipts) and for using bicycles and electric cars.  We are unable to pay for expenses if you live without the NHS Lothian board area.

Read the Volunteer Expenses Procedure opens a new window for more details.

All volunteer are provided with an ID badge and uniform T-shirt or Polo Shirt and those who volunteer outside or at our main entrances also receive a fleece.  Wearing a uniform is required to ensure that volunteers are easily identifiable and for infection control.  More information is provided about this in our induction training. 

“Since being issued with the T and Polo shirts in April 2020, I have felt a real identity as a volunteer. You can spot a volunteer at a distance, with the colour so distinctive and people seem to readily spot the branded motif. Since September, helping at a pre-school immunisation clinic in Edinburgh, again the polo shirt lets the staff know you’re a volunteer and parents have asked me how long I have been a volunteer. Wear it with pride!”  – John WGH

All volunteers will participate in an online induction course followed by an in person training that covers key issues such as confidentiality, boundaries, safeguarding and health and safety. 

Volunteers also receive a one to one local induction specific to their role and the location they are volunteering.

We ask you at application stage to check that you are able to attend one of the training sessions as we are unable to offer an alternative.

We ask for a minimum commitment of two or more hours a week for a minimum of six months but we are delighted than many of our volunteers give more than 2 hours a week and/or volunteer for longer than 6 months. 

Every year during National Volunteers Week, the Voluntary Services Team distribute long services awards for 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 years’ service.  In 2024/25 we gave out over 157 long service awards.

We ask our volunteers to make a minimum commitment of six months this is to ensure consistency to our patients and families.  However, we understand that things can change and that from time to time volunteers are not able to volunteer as planned.  In these circumstances, we are keen that volunteers speak to their Voluntary Services Manager who will be able to arrange an alternative placement at a time or location that suits better or negotiate a break and stay in touch until the volunteer is able to recommence volunteering.  This may be due to your health, study (exams) or time to return aboard over the summer.

It can sometimes be hard for volunteers to say that they want to stop volunteering but it is important that if a volunteer wants to stop volunteering that they let the Voluntary Services team know.  This is so that we can; gather feedback on your experience so we can continually improve the volunteer experience;  so we are aware of the vacancy and can begin to recruit a replacement; so we can say thank you and good bye.

Volunteers participate in a comprehensive induction programme which will address a number of safety issues such as infection control, fire safety and more.  Each role is risk assessed on an annual basis to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to mitigate risk. All individual volunteers participate in an occupational health declaration and if required an assessment to ensure that they are matched with an appropriate role.  Also depending on your role you may be offered Violence and Aggression Training.

Unfortunately, there are times when NHS Lothian does not have a vacancy that is appropriate, or at the right time or location for a potential volunteer.  In those circumstances, we would signpost volunteers to their local Volunteer Centre who would be able to provide support to find a suitable volunteering opportunity.

Volunteer Edinburgh opens a new window
222 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, EH6 5EQ. 0131 561 8300

Midlothian Community Action opens a new window
32/6 Hardengreen Industrial Estate, Dalkeith, EH22 3NX. 0131 660 1216

Volunteer Centre East Lothian opens a new window
56 High Street, Tranent, Scotland, EH33 1HH. 01875 615423

Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian opens a new window
20-22 King Street, Bathgate, EH48 1AX. 07712 521850

If you currently live outside of the UK and hope to move to the UK in the near future, NHS Lothian’s Voluntary Services team is not currently able to sponsor visa applications of this nature. 

If you have any questions which are not answered on this page, please get in touch at loth.volunteerenquiries@nhs.scot.