Here are just some of the benefits to volunteering:
Accreditation
We are an Accredited Activity Provider for Duke of Edinburgh and registered for Saltire Awards, so you can gain accreditation by volunteering.
We have collaborated with Young Scot, so you can earn generous reward points for volunteering to exchange for discounts and goodies on their website! We also have committed to be an #iwill partner, we recognise the strength and skills young people have and are committed to providing an environment where they can engage in meaningful volunteering.
Our Youth Volunteer Ambassadors have answered the following FAQs:
Is it safe to volunteer just now with Covid?
All of our roles are risk assessed to be as safe as possible, we provide full training and the correct PPE for the roles that our volunteers undertake.
Do you see Blood/bodily fluid during volunteering?
It depends on the ward but the majority of the time you won’t see lots blood or bodily fluids. However you might see machines that give people medicines or monitor things like urine output. It is a hospital, so sometimes there is blood or bodily fluids, but generally it really isn’t too bad.
How long do you volunteer for?
It depends on what role you have but most of the time it is roughly 2-3 hours of volunteering per week.
What is the uniform like?
We have recently introduced a uniform for volunteers, it is a purple shirt and you can choose between polo and t-shirt, it isn’t tight or restricting.
How busy are the hospitals?
It depends on the time of day and year, I can say from experience it is most busy during the afternoons before mealtimes. Some wards are busier than others, some have patients all in one big room, and others have patients in single rooms. There is always people around to help you if you need it.
Do I need to have skills before I start?
Any skills you will need will be covered during the training beforehand. It’s handy to be fairly confident in talking to new people before you start.
How do I need to behave when I’m volunteering around the hospital?
This will be covered during the course but the main takeaways; always treat patients and staff with respect, maintain patient confidentiality and if in doubt ask the staff. You are treated like a staff member, so need to keep professional boundaries, but also be friendly and engaging with patients.
Will I be reimbursed for my travel?
Yes, you can ask the volunteering office for a form to reimburse your travel.
Can I get a reference for a job?
Yes, at the end of your time volunteering you can ask the volunteering manager to write a reference. Please note that the longer you volunteer, the better of a review we can give.
Can I stop or take a break from my volunteering?
Yes, you can stop at any time for any reason. You will be required to say you are taking a break or leaving so we can let our staff know.
Will it look good for Uni/College?
Yes, volunteering demonstrates you possess many skills at University and Colleges look for. Such as time management, dedication, teamwork, communication, and many more!
Does the NHS offer any apprenticeships?
Yes, your volunteer manager will be able to give you more information if you are interested in applying.
