Bridge Builders Volunteering

Supporting people, reducing barriers, improving outcomes.

*Applications for our next intake will open Monday 14th September*

What are Bridge Builders?

Bridge Builders are volunteers who accompany people who may need extra support to attend and engage in their healthcare appointments across NHS Lothian. They provide practical and emotional support, helping people to feel more confident throughout their healthcare journey.

This programme is inspired by a successful model in Denmark where volunteer support has been shown to reduce barriers to accessing care and improve the patient experience. Please see the references section below for further information about the Danish model.

What does a Bridge Builder do?

Please see the volunteer role description for full details of the role.

Bridge Builder volunteers provide support on-site on the day of the appointment, from arrival at the hospital until the person is ready to go home.

As a volunteer you will:

Meet a person on-site and accompany them to and from their appointment, helping them to find their way around.
Sit in the appointment, providing a reassuring presence and acting as an “extra pair of ears”.
Spend time after the appointment to ensure understanding of next steps.

Bridge Builders do not provide medical advice or make decisions on behalf of people. Their role is to help people feel supported and empowered.

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, 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, public health)
Are passionate about making a difference
Have good communication and listening skills
Are reliable, compassionate and respectful.

Why join Bridge Builders?

Volunteering with Bridge Builders offers a unique opportunity to develop your personal skills that will support your future career while making a meaningful difference to people’s lives.

As a Bridge Builder you will:

Become part of an innovative programme helping to shape the future of healthcare
Gain first-hand insight into the challenges people face when accessing healthcare
Understand health inequalities and the factors that can influence health outcomes
Develop strong communication, empathy and person-centerd skills
Receive comprehensive training, supervision and support from NHS Lothian Staff.

How to apply

Recruitment for this role will open Monday 14^th September 2026 until Sunday 27^th September. Before applying, please ensure you can attend one group interview and the training dates below:

Group Interview Dates:

Wednesday 7th October, 3pm – 5pm, Waverley.
Friday 9th October, 10am – 12pm, Waverley.

Part 1 – Online Training (attend one date below):

Tuesday 27th October, 5pm – 7pm
Thursday 29th October, 5pm – 7pm

Part 2 – F2F Training (attend one date below):

Wednesday 4th November, 3pm – 5pm
Friday 6th November,10am – 12pm

To apply for the role, please:

Read through the Bridge Builder volunteer role description to ensure you can fulfil the criteria.
Please ensure you can attend the above interview and training dates.
Complete an online application form. Guidance for completing this can be found here. Please note: applications will only be accepted during the time frames above.
Once you have submitted your online application form, we will contact you using the email address you have provided by Wednesday 30^th September. Please ensure check your junk/spam folder if you have not heard from us.

If you have any questions or would like to be added to our mailing list for future opportunities, please contact: loth.bridgebuilders@nhs.scot