Bridge Builders Volunteering Supporting people, reducing barriers, improving outcomes. What are Bridge Builders? Bridge Builders are volunteers who accompany people who may need extra support to attend appointments in the healthcare system. This programme is inspired by a successful model in Denmark where volunteer support has helped people feel more confident and at ease during their healthcare journey. It aims to reduce barriers accessing care and improve the patient experience. Research: Tonnesen & Momsen (2023). Bridging gaps in health? A qualitative study about bridge-building and social inequity in Danish healthcare. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 18(1), 2241235. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2241235 Valentin et al. (2023). Bridging inequity gaps in healthcare systems while educating future healthcare professionals. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6837). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196837 Valentin et al. (2025). Bridging inequity gaps in healthcare through tailored support. BMC Health Services Research, 25:208. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12359-8 What does a Bridge Builder do? Volunteers help bridge the gap between people and professionals, supporting people to navigate their appointments and have a clear understanding of what comes next. Bridge Builder volunteers will: Accompany people to and from their outpatient appointments, helping them to navigate the hospital environment. Support communication and understanding by being an extra pair of ears during appointments. Spend time after the appointment to ensure understanding of next steps. Please see the volunteer role description for further information. Who can volunteer? We work in partnership with universities and colleges to recruit students pursuing a career in healthcare. This role offers a unique opportunity for practice-based learning in real-life settings, helping students to become more knowledgeable and compassionate healthcare professionals. We are looking for students who: Are 18 years and over Currently studying for a qualification in healthcare (e.g. medicine, nursing, allied health professions, psychology and public health) Are passionate about person-centred care. Have strong communication and listening skills. Are reliable, compassionate and respectful. Want to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives. Why join Bridge Builders? Bridge Builders offers experiential learning that deepens understanding of health inequalities and the importance of compassionate care. Bridge Builder volunteers will: Gain first-hand experience of the challenges people face when accessing healthcare. Develop stronger communication and empathy skills. Receive comprehensive training, supervision and support from NHS Lothian staff. Be part of a pioneering programme shaping future healthcare models. Contact If you have any questions about the programme, please contact: loth.bridgebuilders.nhs.scot If you are interested in becoming a Bridge Builder volunteer, please apply via our online application form. Applications open on Thursday 2nd October 2025 and will close on Sunday 19th October. Please note that applications may close earlier if we reach capacity.
