About the role

What will I be doing?

As a volunteer on our Youth Volunteering Programme - Patient Engagement 2027, you’ll have the chance to support your local hospital, give back to the NHS, learn more about careers in the NHS as well as having a fun and engaging time with your peers. 

You will provide valuable support to patients across our hospitals, ranging from helping greet patients and support with wayfinding around our hospital, to helping with mealtimes, to providing companionship and entertainment at the bedside.  

You will contribute at least 30 hours of your time between 4 January 2027 and 26 March 2027 to support patients' wellbeing and positively influence their hospital experience. 

Some of the main activities of the role include: 

• Engaging patients in appropriate leisure activities of their choosing, such as reading, board games and arts and crafts 
• Talking to patients / discussing current affairs/topical news events 
• Helping patients to complete feedback surveys about their hospital experience 
• Offering and assisting patients with refreshments as required  
• Supporting staff to collect and distribute deliveries of equipment as required 

Is this opportunity for me?

We believe the opportunity to volunteer and give back to your local hospital should be available to everyone.

Whether you are interested in a healthcare career or not, supporting your local hospital can be a valuable and meaningful experience. Hospital-based volunteering offers you the chance to give something back, as well as the opportunity to develop important life skills such as communication and confidence. 

We run several Youth Volunteering Programmes (for 16 - 21 year olds) throughout the year, including a local school partnership in the autumn term and a large-scale opportunity over the summer holidays. These opportunities attract a large volume of applicants who are aspiring to attend medical school or other university-based courses. 

For this opportunity, we hope to receive applications from local young people who may be studying vocationally or not in education, employment or training. Though, we welcome applications from any local young people meeting our criteria.

What skills will I need?

We’re looking for volunteers who are friendly, caring and passionate about supporting patients and staff at our hospitals. You’ll also find the following skills and qualities are particularly useful in this role: 

• A friendly, positive and approachable manner 
• Knowledge of the hospital layout or an interest to learn 
• Ability to be empathetic, patient and calm in difficult situations if they arise 
• Working well within a diverse team 
• Ability to follow instructions and be flexible 
• Acting on your own initiative within set boundaries 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
• Ability to volunteer on your feet for several hours at a time 

What support will I get?

This fun and fulfilling volunteer role will give you the opportunity to make a positive impact for our patients during their time in hospital as well as developing your own skills. You will have a named member of staff who can support you as well as: 

• Comprehensive training and inductions  
• Opportunity to engage in additional learning  
• A reference of your volunteering  
• Programme completion celebration event 
• Careers based events  

How to apply

Before you can start volunteering with us, there are a few important steps.
Take a look at the graphic below to see each stage of your volunteering journey.

You’ll need to complete a DBS check to volunteer with us. Click the button below to find all the information you need. 

We pay for this. For now, please check which documents you have to prove your identity and address.

Support with your DBS check

When you’re ready to apply, click the ‘Apply Now’ button below to get started.

PLEASE ONLY APPLY TO A SINGLE HOSPITAL, ALL DUPLICATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE DELETED

Deadline for applications is Friday 16 October - We may close applications early if we receive significantly more applications than we can interview. We recommend early applications.

For Charing Cross applicants you must be free to attend: 

Selection and Interview event: Wednesday 28 October 2026

Training Date: Saturday 5 December 2026

You must live near, study near, or have a connection to Charing Cross Hospital.

We will be priortising applications from: SW10, SW13, SW14, SW15, SW18, SW1P, SW3, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW9, W10, W11, W12, W14, W2, W3, W4, W6, W8, W9, WC2H

Apply For Charing Cross Hospital

For Hammersmith Hospital applicants you must be free to attend: 

Selection and Interview event: Tuesday 27 October

Training date: Saturday 5 December

You must live near, study near, or have a connection to Hammersmith Hospital.

We will be priortising applications from: W3, W4, W5, W6, W8, W9, W10, W11, W12, W14, NW2, NW6, NW9, NW10, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW13, W1H, HA0, HA9, TW8

Apply for Hammersmith Hospital

For St Mary's Hospital you must be free to attend: 

Selection and Interview event: Wednesday 28 October

Training Date: Saturday 5 December

You must live near, study near, or have a connection to St Mary's Hospital.

We will be priortising applications from: W1B, W1C, W1D, W1F, W1H, W1J, W1K, W1S, W1T, W1U, W1W, W2, W8, W9, W10, W11, NW1, NW6, NW8, SW3, SW7, SW1X

Apply For St Mary's Hospital