How to become a volunteer Better Together

How to become a
volunteer
Better Together
Voluntary Services
Voluntary Services is responsible for the recruitment, training and day
to day support of volunteers in the National Health Service. There are
hundreds of volunteers who use their skills and experience to support the
NHS in many different ways to enhance the service given to patients.
Volunteers can carry out various tasks in a number of areas, for example:
•Hospital shop •Ward activity assistants
•Chaplaincy
•Administration
•Trolley service
•Befriending
•Transport (driver)
•Visiting
•Gardening
•League of Friends
Benefits of becoming a volunteer
There are many benefits to becoming a volunteer. These include increased
self-esteem and confidence, having a wider support network through
being part of your community, being part of a large volunteer team. This
can lead to an improved quality of life. You can learn new skills, gain
different experiences, attend training which may help your CV if you wish
to progress in your career. Some volunteers report there are opportunities
to make new friends and have a better social life; you may feel great
satisfaction through supporting other people.
How do you become a volunteer?
Contact us and we will arrange a suitable time for you to come in and have
an informal chat. If you do wish to become a volunteer with us, you will be
asked to give names and addresses of two referees and we will complete a
Criminal Records Bureau and Independent Safeguarding Authority check.
Once all the checks have been completed you may be offered a placement
depending on your time available, skills, interests and locality.
All volunteers receive a Trust identity badge, role description, induction
training, and on-the-job training specific to the role and to the site at which
you are based. Volunteers will receive support from the Voluntary Services
Department and staff at that site, as well as reimbursement of expenses,
invitations to events and the opportunity to become part of a team.
Among many
roles, volunteers
are responsible for
running the shop
at Priority House,
Maidstone
Who you can contact
East Kent locality Volunteer Coordinator
West Kent locality Voluntary Services Manager
Thanet locality Voluntary Services Manager
Medway locality Volunteer Coordinator 01227 812042
01622 723210
01843 855421
01634 331417
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
You may have some concern about your care and treatment, but feel
unable to speak to our staff providing your care. You may just want
some information about local health services. You can contact the
confidential Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). The PALS Team
is available to help you with any health difficulties you may have.
The PALS Team can be contacted by calling free:
0800 587 6757 (West Kent and Medway)
0800 783 9972 (East Kent)
You can also email: [email protected]
Complaints and Compliments
If you are pleased with our service, or unhappy, please talk to our staff
- we welcome your feedback. If you wish to see your compliments
officially recorded or if your wish to make a formal complaint, you can
write to the Chief Executive. All complaints will be carefully listened
to and thoroughly investigated. Write to: Chief Executive, Trust HQ, 35
Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4AX.
A further leaflet, Your Right to Complain, is also available to help
explain this process. If you are unhappy with the outcome of your
complaint you can contact the Care Quality Commission at
www.cqc.org.uk
You can find out more about the Trust and its services online at
www.kmpt.nhs.uk
If you want to ask questions about anything to do with your care or
the Trust, please ask a member of staff. If you require this leaflet in
another format or language please speak to one of our staff or call
Communications on 01732 520441.
Publish Date: Jan 2011
Ref No.103
This leaflet will be reviewed no more than 3 years after issue