About | Programme Sites | Our Partners | Volunteer Role | Register to Volunteer | Funded Training | Get in Touch
About the Volunteering for Health Programme
Volunteering for Health is a £10 million national programme to show how volunteering can and must be a vital part of delivering health and social care now and in the future.
It aims to recognise the significant untapped potential for volunteering to enhance service delivery, improve patient and staff experience, and boost routes into the health and care workforce. The three-year programme is being delivered in partnership between NHS England, NHS Charities Together and CW+, the official charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The Volunteering for Health programme aims to maximise the benefits of volunteers as a vital resource in delivering health and social care nationally and locally, whilst strengthening volunteering infrastructure. Volunteer Cornwall are the Cornish organisation leading the partnership to deliver on these outcomes.
The goal is to link people in hospitals with their communities developing an environment where volunteers will be able to move more freely between the hospital setting and out into community organisations to better support patient wellbeing without the need for completing multiple sign-ups.
Our focus is on supporting local people during their time in hospital and continuing to support them out in the community. Volunteers will be visiting and befriending individuals on the wards, learning about their needs, and continuing to support the people as they transition back into their homes by connecting them to community services and groups.
Watch our video to hear more about our mission with Volunteering for Health:
Programme Sites
We are pleased to be able to be launching the Volunteering for Health programme with three hospital sites:
West: Camborne Redruth Community Hospital
Central: RCHT Treliske Hospital
East: Stratton Community Hospital
By having these sites spread out like this, it allows us to support people across a wider range and gain invaluable insight into what works best for different areas within Cornwall.
As the programme develops and expands, we hope to be able to continue to roll out Volunteering for Health across more hospitals across Cornwall.
Programme Partners
We are excited to be working with a range of excellent partners to deliver the Volunteering for Health programme.
The current partners involved in the programme are:
- Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust Treliske
- Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum
- Cornwall Community Hub Network
- NHS Intergrated Care Board
- NHS England
- NHS Charities Together
- CW+, the official charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Funding for Health Training
As part of the Volunteering for Health programme, our partnership is able to provide funding to support volunteers that directly support the NHS within the community to access training. To access training with the funding, please contact Cornwall VSF to begin the funding process.
https://cornwallvsf.org/connecting/projects/volunteering-for-health/
Volunteer with the Programme
This is an exciting opportunity for volunteers to support individuals across health and community settings. It is a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to help shape the role and build the way we think about volunteering within health and social care.
The Volunteering for Health volunteers will provide a vital bridge between hospital and the community, supporting patients, alongside hospital staff and community organisations, to improve their wellbeing and enhance the patient journey.
The Volunteering for Health programme offers a broad and flexible role for volunteers to work with people while in hospital and continuing to work with them during their recovery, usually for up to 6-8 weeks.
Due to the flexible nature of the role, volunteers may be asked to help in a range of ways. These could include:
- Talking to/befriending patients in a ward.
- Providing social activities for patients within a ward.
- Having a cuppa and a chat with people on the ward.
- Accompanying patients for a walk outside or around the hospital site.
- Helping to make a home ready for someone leaving hospital.
- Supporting with shopping or medicine collections during someone’s recovery time at home.
- Accompanying people to community groups or activities to help with anxiety and confidence building.
The flexibility of the role also allows for us to include new ideas or activities that volunteers might want to bring to the role from their existing skills and experiences.
All volunteers will receive relevant induction and training.
To learn more about training available to volunteers, please visit the Cornwall VSF website:
https://cornwallvsf.org/connecting/projects/volunteering-for-health/
Expenses: Volunteers will be reimbursed any expenses for travel requirements for any activities that are carried out as part of their Volunteering for Health role.
Wellbeing: Staff will complete follow-up calls with volunteers to ensure that you are safe and happy with the arrangements for their role and that they are comfortable with the work that they are being asked to undertake.
Should any volunteer feel they need support through counselling or wellbeing sessions from a qualified professional.
What are the benefits to volunteers?
By signing up as a Volunteering for Health volunteer, you will gain the following benefits:
- Enhanced CV.
- Access potential NHS career pathways.
- Learn new skills.
- Meet new people.
- Build confidence and self-esteem.
- Give back to your local community.
- Opportunity to help co-design the future of the Volunteering for Health programme.
Where can I volunteer?
We are currently looking for volunteers in the following areas to support people in and out of the local hospitals:
- Camborne
- Redruth
- Truro
- Bude
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m retired, do I need to do the training?
Yes, in order to meet the safety needs of the hospital trusts and organisation you are supporting you will need to complete the training requirement to ensure your knowledge is as up-to-date as possible and that you understand the systems and processes of your role.
I’m a student interested in health care, how can this help me?
By giving your time as a volunteer with the programme, you will have the opportunity gain relevant experience that will support your studies. As a volunteer, you will also be able to access additional funded training to enhance your learning and expand your skills.
What if I don’t live in one of the pilot areas?
As we further develop the Volunteering for Health programme, we plan to bring the service to more hospital sites around the county. By registering your interest in the programme, Volunteer Cornwall can help you to find other relevant activities while we work on bringing more locations onboard.
Will I have any expenses covered as a volunteer?
In most cases yes, expenses will be covered as a volunteer. Training through volunteering for health funding will have expenses paid to attend. However, volunteer roles will have different rules on expenses depending on the organisation you will support. Our advice would be to discuss with the organisation prior to starting your voluntary role.
Can I access more than one course with the programme’s funding?
Yes, you can apply for more than one funded training course to support your voluntary role.
How long will Volunteering for Health run for?
At present the pilot is set to run until March 2027, though we expect the programme to continue beyond this date in some form.
How do I sign up?
Register your interest in supporting the Volunteering for Health programme by completing our Volunteer Interest form.
https://forms.microsoft.com/e/k3SX7RJnp4
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about Volunteering for Health or would like to know more, please get in touch by emailing us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling us on 01872 265305.
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