Volunteers on our Youth Volunteering Programme share their experience

26 August 2026

Alex, aged 16 - St Mary's Hospital Volunteer, Summer 2026

I chose to volunteer because I wanted to give something back to the NHS. As a lifelong patient who had corrective heart surgery as a child, I have experienced first-hand the care, support and kindness that healthcare professionals provide. Volunteering felt like an opportunity to give back to the organisation that has looked after me, whilst seeing healthcare from a different perspective.

Before starting, my previous volunteering experience had been smaller and more personal, so I was nervous about joining a busy hospital environment. I was unsure what to expect and how I could make a positive contribution. The training quickly changed this. It was fun, collaborative and well structured, and helped me understand how to work appropriately around patients. By the end, I felt much more confident and part of the team, which made my first shift much less daunting.

I have found the experience incredibly rewarding. Spending time with patients has shown me how valuable simple human connection can be. Whether listening or making a drink for someone, I have learned that giving someone your time and attention can make a real difference to their day. Balancing this alongside my A Levels and UCAT preparation has also made me more organised and responsible with my time.

After finishing my volunteering, I want to continue giving back to my community. This experience has made me appreciate that supporting others extends beyond clinical care, and I hope to carry that understanding with me into the future.

Pheobe, aged 17 - St Mary's Hospital Volunteer, Summer 2026

Choosing to volunteer with Imperial Health Charity has been an incredibly insightful and rewarding experience. It has not only given me the opportunity to give back to the NHS, but it has also helped me grow into a more well-rounded individual.

As someone who is pursuing a career in healthcare, I sought out volunteering to gain a genuine understanding of patient care from the inside. However, I was still nervous at the prospect of interacting with patients myself.

Thanks to the charity’s brilliant induction training, I walked onto the geriatric ward on my first day feeling prepared rather than anxious. Spending an afternoon simply listening to a patient share stories about their past and seeing firsthand how much a thoughtful interaction can brighten someone's day proved to me that healthcare isn't just about treatment, it's about making people feel seen and valued; a lesson I’ll carry straight into my future endeavours.

Beyond shift work, the Imperial Health Charity team is exceptional at supporting our personal and professional development. They organise incredibly useful workshops, such as sessions on how to effectively reflect on our volunteering experiences for university applications. As many of us volunteers are applying for higher education, these events have been invaluable in helping us articulate our growth and prepare for the next step in our journey.

I would wholeheartedly recommend volunteering with Imperial Health Charity to anyone considering a career in healthcare, or to anyone who simply wants to give back to the community and gain a deeper insight into the NHS. You will be supported by a fantastic team, gain invaluable life skills, and make a real difference to patients' lives.