Volunteer

Each role advertised will have its own Microsoft Form's link providing initial longlisting questions which will help determine suitability for the role advertised. Those successful, will be invited to an informal interview. If the online form is not accessible to you, please ring us on 01484 355815, alternatively email chftvolunteering@cht.nhs.uk

Once we have received your initial application, we will review all forms after the closing date to ensure we have the right fit. Once determined, we shall establish contact to successful applicants inviting you to an informal interview. Non successful applicants will also be notified.

We do get a large number of applicants interested in volunteering; therefore, we cannot guarantee all applications will be successful in gaining an interview. If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, we would encourage you to keep an eye out for future volunteering opportunities. 

After informal interviews, you will be notified of your result. Successful applicants will be provided with four Microsoft Form links, these are:

1. Application
2. Occupational Health
3. Equality, diversity and inclusion
4. Declaration
5. Acceptance 
6. Photography / Videography consent form

Information from these forms will be applied to Trac to carry out recruitment checks. 

To ensure we have a safe environment for our volunteers, patients, visitors, and staff, it's fundamentally important we carry out recruitment checks for every volunteer at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust in line with our Recruitment and Selection Group Policy. 

Checks will include:

1. DBS check - to the level the role requires
2. Signing up to the DBS Update Service
3. Identity check
4. Occupational health check 
5. References x2

Recruitment can take 6 to 12 weeks; this ultimately depends on the responsiveness of the candidate completing the actions required and the DBS Services completing their checks. 

References provided should cover a 12-month period and not be completed by a family member.

At Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, we pride ourselves on providing a thorough volunteer induction training package, which all volunteers must complete. The training package is provided by NHS England as an e-learning package which incorporates mandatory and statutory training, volunteers will have 3 months in which to complete this. Induction covers a variety of modules, including:

• Roles and responsibilites of a volunteer (updated COVID-19)
• Communications for volunteers
• Data securitiy awareness for volunteers
• Conflict resolution for volunteers
• Equality, Diversity and Human Rights for volunteers
• Safeguarding adults for volunteers
• Safeguarding children for volunteers
• Preventing radicalisation (basic awareness) for volunteers
• Mental Health awareness for volunteers
• Health, safety and infection prevention and control for volunteers (updated COVID-19)
• Fire safety for volunteers

There are 4 additional optional modules depending on volunteer role, optional modules may be required:

• Child sex exploitation for volunteers (optional)
• Fluids and nutrition for volunteers (optional)
• Resuscitation (basic life support) for volunteers (updated COVID-19) (optional)
• Moving and assisting for volunteers (optional)

This is to ensure that all volunteers joining our organisation have the correct level of information to safely carry out their role. 

Applicants must be 18+ years old and hold a Full UK Driving Licence. 

(Open vacancy, candidates will be assessed on an individual basis).

Why we want you:

There are many benefits to being a volunteer at CHFT. People often say they volunteer because they've benefited from a service and want to give something back. Some people say that volunteering has been a positive experience which helped them to develop skills that were useful in gaining employment. Others enjoy social networking and making friends ro say it is rewarding to see how the time they donate makes a difference both to patients and staff.

We are looking for highly motivated, enthusiastic and friendly volunteers to help us raise money and awareness for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Charity in our local communities. We are seeking a very diverse group of volunteers, who can be representatives of our communities and support outreach in to those harder to hit areas, whether this is due to age, disability, religion, gender or ethnicity. 

This role will require you to place collection tubs in local businesses, such as cafes, newsagents, pubs, restaurants, pharmacies, takeaways, hairdressers, barbers etc, in your local area. The more tubs you place and collect, the more money you will raise for your local hospitals. 

Benefits include:

• Helping to make a difference
• Putting a smile on patients and visitors faces
• Feeling valued
• Developing personal and social skills
• Gaining confidence and self-esteem
• Increasing health and wellbeing
• Feeling part of a team
• Finding quality time away from work or a busy life
• Free parking when attending the hospital in a volunteering capacity
• Free hospital shuttle buss when attending the hospital in a volunteering capacity
• Free processing of DBS
• Charity Uniform T-shirt
• Full support and training as necessary to ensure you are happy and confident in your role

What you will be doing:

• Finding new businesses to place collection tubs in your local area and tracking these
• Frequent visiting of the sites where collection tubs are placed to service
• Building healthy relationships with shop / business owners
• Collect, count and bank donations with CHFT Charity on a regular basis
• Distributing posters, flyers and marketing materials to selected organisations within your area
• Being our eyes and ears in your local area and feedback updates to support and maximise local fundraising and volunteer opportunities 

What skills you need:

• Passionate about making a difference and highly motivated
• Relate to people in a polite, friendly, professional and courteous manner
• Excellent communication skills 
• Ability to respect confidentiality 
• Punctual and reliable
• Well presented
• Ability to manage own time effectively
• Compliance with the Trusts Volunteering Group Policy and CHFT Charity Fundraising Policy 
• A commitment to uphold the Trusts values and behaviours 
• A commitment to uphold the Trusts Equality and Diversity Policy 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to understand any training deemed appropriate to this role
• Experience with handling money
• Driving Licence (requirement for safety and security of transporting cash)
• Basic level of Maths and English for auditing monies collected

What's in it for you:

• All training is provided by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust 
• NHS ID provided
• Opportunity to use and develop your own skills and enhance your CV
• Flexibility to fit around other commitments
• NHS Blue Light Discount access

Disclaimer:

Volunteers CANNOT be involved in any of the following:

• Provide clinical or medical advice 
• Psychological interventions
• Lifting or handling heavy equipment
• Political / religious opinion and bad language are not permitted
• Undertaking any role outside of their volunteer role without checking first with CHFT Charity or Volunteering Services

Volunteers are reminded of the importance of confidentiality at all times.

Please note: the work of volunteers will complement and not supplement that of paid employees of the Trust.

Apply now!

Key dates:

Vacancy opens: Tuesday 19th August 2025

Vacancy closes: Tuesday 9th September 2025 - 15:00

Longlisting: Wednesday 10th September 2025

Interview Date: Thursday 25th September 2025 (Interviews will take place at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary)

Applicants must be 18+ years old.

About the role:

The role of a Mealtime Submission Volunteer is to support patients with selecting their meal choices, taking into consideration any dietary requirements and allergies. Some of our patients will have complex needs, therefore, it's essential volunteers within this role have compassion and the ability to demonstrate patience. Volunteers will directly support staff as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Mealtime Submission Volunteers will also be requested to support the preparation and readiness of cutlery whilst on shift, ensuring everything is prepped and accessible for when meals are distributed.

As a Mealtime Submission Volunteer, we expect you to be the embodiment of our Values and Behaviours. Demonstrating One Culture of Care and Compassionate Care. We aim to care for ourselves and each other in the same way we care for our patients. We aim to be kind and compassionate at all times. We know that taking care of ourselves and each other is key to our ability to provide compassionate care to our patients. 

What you will be doing:

• Support patients by collecting their meal preferences and submitting this information electronically via a digital tablet (iPad), which is immediately received by the Trust's Catering department. 
• Being thorough with details obtained and listing any dietary requirements and allergies.
• Report any issues or feedback as required to ward staff.
• Ensure patients/carers have a clean space to eat their meal, clearing their bedside tables. 
• Preparing already washed cutlery and wrapping within napkins, in readiness for distribution when meals arrives.
• Where appropriate, provide FFT (Friends and Family Test) forms. 
• Wiping down electronic tablet and placing on charge before finishing your shift, in readiness for the next volunteer/colleague. 

The skills you need:

• A friendly, compassionate and positive approachable manner. 
• Ability to be empathetic, patient and calm in difficult situations if they arise. 
• Ability to work well within a diverse team.
• Ability to follow instructions, processes and procedures.
• Ability to act on own initiative.
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, including English language. 
• Pro-active, respectful and attentive to patient, carer and visitor needs. 
• Physically able to stand and/ore move around the hospital site with ease for the duration of a shift. 
• Willingness to on-going training to fulfil this volunteering role.

Benefits include:

• Helping to make a difference
• Putting a smile on someone's face
• Feeling valued 
• Developing personal and social skills 
• Gaining confidence and self-esteem
• Increasing health and wellbeing 
• Feeling part of a team
• Finding quality time away from work or a busy life

Managing Self:

• Participate in regular supervision.
• Attend and complete all mandatory training.
• Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols. 
• Carry out role with due regard to the Equality of Opportunity and Diversity Policy.
• Seek advice and support from Supervision / Manager whenever necessary. 

What's in it for you:

• A fun and fulfilling opportunity to give back to your local hospitals as well as use and develop skills.
• Receipt of our monthly volunteer newsletter.
• Reimbursement for travel expenses (taxis excluded).
• Volunteer essential and mandatory training.
• Additional learning opportunities to help you grow and develop in your volunteer role and beyond. 
• An official CHFT volunteering uniform (t-shirt0 to wear whilst volunteering. 
• A named member of staff as main point of contact for the Volunteer Service and deployed to area you will be volunteering within.
• Regular contact and support from staff within the Volunteer Service Team, one-to-one check ins and performance reviews.
• Opportunities to feedback about your experience volunteering with us. 

Disclaimer: 

Volunteers CANNOT be involved in any of the following:

• Clinical or medical treatments of any kind.
• Psychological interventions (clinical advice, political or religious).
• Clinical advice. 
• Moving and handling of patients.
• Personal care activities including toileting and bathing.
• Escorting patients off hospital premises.
• Lifting or handling heavy equipment.
• Undertaking any activities outside of their volunteer role specification without checking first with the Volunteering Services Lead. 
• Political and religious opinion and bad language are not permitted. 

If a patient / visitor raises concerns about their treatment clinical or otherwise, whilst an in-patient or visiting the hospital, as a volunteer you should direct this patient/visitor to the ward manager/supervisor. If the patient/visitor refuses this, then please refer them to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). 

There are no clinical duties required for this role.

Apply now!

Key dates:

Vacancy opens: Tuesday 19th August 2025

Vacancy closes: Tuesday 9th September 2025 - 15:00

Longlisting: Thursday 11th September 2025

Interview Date: Friday 26th September 2025 (Interviews will take place at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary)

Applicants must be 18+ years old.

About the role:

As a Mealtime Support Volunteer, you will support patients on wards in an acute setting through a variety of specific mealtime tasks. You will play a crucial role helping to support the wellbeing of patients and reduce the risk of malnutrition/dehydration, which is a vital part in recovery. 

This volunteer role will prioritise support to patients with a 'red tray' in place but can provide support and encouragement to all patients on the ward. 

Mealtimes can be a lonely experience in a hospital, this role will provide companionship and conversation to those who wish to chat, whilst encouraging and prompting reminders to eat/drink.

In 2024, the Palliative Care Team identified challenges in providing a hot meal to carers who were spending long periods of time with their loved one within their last days of life. Feedback from carers highlighted that they could be reluctant to leave the bedside to utilise a meal voucher. Feedback from colleagues highlighted varied approaches to providing nutritional support including sandwiches and drinks. Volunteering Services felt it necessary to incorporate supporting carers as well as patients within this volunteering role, for maximising overall experience and benefit. 

As a Mealtime Support Volunteer, we expect you to be the embodiment of our Values and Behaviours. Demonstrating One Culture of Care and Compassionate Care. We aim to care for ourselves and each other in the same way we care for our patients. We aim to be kind and compassionate at all times. We know that taking care of ourselves and each other is key to our ability to provide compassionate care to our patients. 

What you will be doing:

Preparation for mealtimes:

• Offering patients the chance to wash / wipe their hands.
• Clearing tables and wiping them.
• Ensuring the patient is in a comfortable position to eat, and seeking support from the ward team, if necessary to help a patient to sit up.
• Making sure that the patient has the correct utensils, including adapted cutlery, non-slip mats and plate guards if necessary. 

During mealtimes: 

• Positioning food next to the patient.
• Opening packets, removing lids etc. if needed.
• Cutting food into manageable chunks if needed.
• Positioning the food on the plate in a way that helps the patient / turning the place round during the mealtime. 
• Explaining where the food is situated on the plate for patients that are partially sighted. 
• Placing food on utensils.
• Giving verbal encouragement to patients to eat and drink. 

Being an advocate:

• Ensuring that patients receive the correct meal and informing the ward team if they would like an alternative meal / snack. 
• Passing on any questions or concerns to the ward team. 
• Communicate effectively with the most vulnerable patients e.g. those with cognitive issues. 

At the end of mealtime:

• If a patient is unable to finish their meal, ask why there is food left (i.e. tiredness, visual problems, denture problems or taste preferences) and inform nursing staff. 
• Giving feedback to the ward team, providing information about how much patients have had to eat / drink by completing the volunteering handover form. 
• Informing the ward team when a patient with a 'red tray' has finished their meal, so that a record can be made on food / fluid charts. 

The skills you need:

• A friendly, compassionate and positive approachable manner. 
• Ability to be empathetic, patient and calm in difficult situations if they arise. 
• Ability to work well within a diverse team.
• Ability to follow instructions, processes and procedures.
• Ability to act on own initiative.
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, including English language. 
• Pro-active, respectful and attentive to patient, carer and visitor needs.
• Physically able to stand and/or move around the hospital site with ease for the duration of a shift.

Benefits include: 

• Helping to make a difference
• Putting a smile one someone's face
• Feeling valued
• Developing personal and social skills 
• Gaining confidence and self esteem
• Increasing health and wellbeing
• Feeling part of a team
• Finding quality time away from work or a busy life

Managing Self:

• Participate in regular supervision.
• Attend and complete all mandatory training.
• Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols. 
• Carry out role with due regard to the Equality of Opportunity and Diversity Policy.
• Seek advice and support from Supervision / Manager whenever necessary. 

What's in it for you:

• A fun and fulfilling opportunity to give back to your local hospitals as well as use and develop skills.
• Receipt of our monthly volunteer newsletter.
• Reimbursement for travel expenses (taxis excluded).
• Volunteer essential and mandatory training.
• Additional learning opportunities to help you grow and develop in your volunteer role and beyond. 
• An official CHFT volunteering uniform (t-shirt0 to wear whilst volunteering. 
• A named member of staff as main point of contact for the Volunteer Service and deployed to area you will be volunteering within.
• Regular contact and support from staff within the Volunteer Service Team, one-to-one check ins and performance reviews.
• Opportunities to feedback about your experience volunteering with us. 

Disclaimer: 

Volunteers CANNOT be involved in any of the following:

• Clinical or medical treatments of any kind.
• Psychological interventions (clinical advice, political or religious).
• Clinical advice. 
• Moving and handling of patients.
• Personal care activities including toileting and bathing.
• Escorting patients off hospital premises.
• Lifting or handling heavy equipment.
• Undertaking any activities outside of their volunteer role specification without checking first with the Volunteering Services Lead. 
• Political and religious opinion and bad language are not permitted. 

If a patient / visitor raises concerns about their treatment clinical or otherwise, whilst an in-patient or visiting the hospital, as a volunteer you should direct this patient/visitor to the ward manager/supervisor. If the patient/visitor refuses this, then please refer them to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). 

There are no clinical duties required for this role.

Apply now!

Key dates:

Vacancy opens: Tuesday 19th August 2025

Vacancy closes: Tuesday 23rd September 2025

Longlisting: Wednesday 24th September 2025

Interview Date: Friday 3rd October 2025 (Interviews will take place at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary)

Applicants must be 18+ years old.

About the role:

The role of a Discharge Response Volunteer (DRV) is to support patients, some with complex needs, and staff as part of a multi-disciplinary team by providing an additional pair of hands to assist with non-clinical activities providing engagement and distraction across the Discharge Lounge and Frailty Same Day Emergency Care (Med SDEC) and Ward 3 Short Stay.

Additionally supporting the transfer of medically fit patients from Frailty SDEC, Ward 3 Short Stay, to the Discharge Lounge. Transfer will be by wheelchair; no bed transfers are permitted within this role.

As a DRV volunteer we expect you to be the embodiment of our Values and Behaviours. Demonstrating One Culture of Care. We aim to care for ourselves and each other in the same way we care for our patients. We aim to be kind and compassionate at all times. We know that taking care of ourselves and each other is key to our ability to provide compassionate care to our patients.

Benefits include:

• Helping to make a difference
• Putting a smile on someone's face
• Feeling valued 
• Developing personal and social skills 
• Gaining confidence and self esteem 
• Increasing health and well-being 
• Feeling part of a team
• Finding quality time away from work or a busy life

What you will be doing:

• Encouraging engagement and social activities, through conversation, arts and crafts, drawing, painting, colouring, board games, cards, bingo, knitting, crochet etc. 
• Offering alternatives: books / magazines / radio / film.
• Updating information awareness boards. 
• Restocking information stands.
• Supporting mental and physical well-being, benefitting overall patient experience. 
• Support the distribution and collection of Friends and Family Test (FFT).
• Assist in the overall tidiness and cleaning down of play equipment / crafts / games / chairs / bookshelves / refreshments area. 
• To escort patients / relatives to and from the area when necessary. 
• Ensure that all queries are attended to as soon as possible, conveying any messages to the appropriate personnel where queries are beyond your remit. 
• Supporting hydration, providing refreshments - catering to reasonable adjustments. 
• Were applicable, supporting the transfer of patients from the Wards to Discharge Lounge (where a patient requires two-person handling, a clinically qualified member of staff will lead, with support from the volunteer).
• Collection of medications from Pharmacy to Ward / Frailty SDEC to support timely treatment and prevention in delayed discharge. 
• To work towards, working without direct supervision. Using own initiative within the level of competency of this role specification. 

Professional Duties:

• Working as part of a multi-disciplinary within the Discharge and Frailty Team.
• Assist the team with play and distraction activities, examples include story reading, playing a game, listening and talking with patients or carer, provision of craft activities. 
• Assist with nutrition and hydration (distribution and encouragement - do not physically feed patients).
• Hybrid across Discharge Lounge, Frailty SDEC and Ward 3 Short Stay provision. Providing the appropriate engagement resources for suitable independent activities where appropriate and assisted one-to-one interactions with those with more complex needs (fall risk / dementia).
• Demonstrate own skills and responsibilities to other members within the team.
• Being an effective team member. 
• Participates in the implementation of new policies and guidelines under the guidance of the multi-disciplinary team.
• To be vigilant and proactive in risk assessments, so that near misses and incidents are avoided. To report correctly; immediately informing a member of staff.
• Provide assistance and support to qualified team members. 
• Notify nurse in charge if a person discloses anything to you that may be of concern.

Managing Self:

• Participate in regular supervision.
• Attend and complete all mandatory training.
• Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols.
• Carry out role with due regard to the Equality of Opportunity and Diversity Policy.
• Seek advice and support from Supervisor / Manager whenever necessary. 

 What skills you need:

• Passionate about making a difference and motivated.
• An interest in supporting the needs of our patients and ability to demonstrate patience for all, especially for those with non-visual disabilities and their families/carers. 
• Relate to people in a polite, friendly and courteous manner. 
• Professional approach.
• Good communication skills with all ages and abilities. 
• Ability to respect confidentiality and information governance (GDPR).
• Punctual and reliable. 
• Well presented, with a friendly and approachable manner.
• Able to demonstrate empathy, compassion and one culture of care. 
• Willingness to be flexible and to follow the guidance of the ward / department supervisor. 
• Ability to manage own time effectively. 
• Compliance with the Trusts Volunteer Policy and Volunteer Handbook. 
• A commitment to uphold the Trusts values - Putting People First, Go See, Work Together Get Results and Must Dos.
• A commitment to uphold the Trusts Equality of Opportunity and Diversity Policy. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of the team.
• Able to commit reliably to agreed volunteering attendance. 
• Willingness to undertake any training deemed appropriate for this role.
• Political opinion and bad language are not permitted.

What's in it for you:

• All training is provided by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.
• Excellent volunteer support.
• NHS ID provided.
• Gain new skills and experience.
• Uniform.
• Membership.
• Access to NHS Blue Light Card Discount Scheme. 

Disclaimer: 

Volunteers CANNOT be involved in any of the following: 

• Clinical or medical treatments of any kind.
• Psychological interventions (clinical advice, political or religious).
• Unsupervised moving and handling of patients.
• Personal care activities including toileting and bathing. 
• Escorting patients of hospital premises. 
• Lifting or handling heavy equipment. 
• Physically feeding patients. 
• Undertaking any activities outside of their volunteer role specification without checking first with the Vountary Services Manager. 

If a patient / visitor raises concerns about their treatment clinical or otherwise, whilst an in-patient or visiting in the hospital, as a Volunteer you should direct this patient/visitor to the ward manager/supervisor. If the patient/visitor refuses this, then please refer them to the Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS).

Volunteers are reminded of the importance of confidentiality at all times. They must under no circumstance discuss patients' affairs with any person other than the relevant staff. If a patient or carer discloses information relevant to their condition, the volunteer should direct the patient or carer to speak to the supervisor in charge. 

Apply now!

As a Ward Helper Volunteer, we expect you to be the embodiment of our Values and Behaviours. Demonstrating Once Culture of Care. We aim to care for ourselves and each other in the same way we care for our patients. We aim to be kind, and compassionate at all time. We know that taking care of ourselves and each other is key to our ability to provide compassionate care to our patients. 

Hospitals can be a daunting place, sometimes overwhelming and very isolating with many of our patients not receiving visitors. We actively encourage our Ward Helpers Volunteers to verbally engage with our patients to support well-being and recovery. Sitting and spending one-to-one quality time with a patient can be the highlight of their day. 

What you will be doing as part of this role:

• Supporting and encouraging patients with nutrition and hydration, offering support to serve meals, refreshments, and snacks. Encouraging and promoting patients to eat, e.g. helping to ensure the food is cut up, opened and accessible. Volunteers are not permitted to physically feed patients. 
• Keep patient and staff water jugs filled and replenished and provide tea/coffee, this supporting the 7 drinks a day. 
• Befriending and supporting patients - engaging, talking, reading, interacting with patients to promote their well-being, recovery, safety, and comfort on the ward. This can include interactive games - board games, puzzles, crosswords, cards, and supporting them with their individual activities, where appropriate. 
• Respond to patient buzzers when pressed, idenfity whether you can resolve the patients' needs or whether you need to alert a clinical member of staff. 
• Cleaning, restocking and replenishment of equipment, inclusive of - PPE, stationary, linens and other clinical and non-clinical supplies. 
• 2 hourly touch-point cleaning, this can be completed at the start and at the end of your shift. 
• Supporting the completion of FFT forms (Friends and Family Test).
• Pharmacy collections, to assist in preventing delayed treatment or discharge. 

The role of a Meet and Greet Volunteer is to support patients, visitors, carers, and staff when entering CHFT premises, by being friendly, approachable and professional in providing support and directions on how to navigate through the hospital to get to their desired location. 

Hospitals can be a daunting place and overwhelming at times, patients, visitors, carers and new staff, external partners, may enter our premises in a rush and a state of heightened anxiety dure to not knowing where to go. Meet and Greet Volunteers are invaluable in relieving these stresses and anxieties, and when required, will escort you all the way to your desired location if necessary. 

As a Meet and Greet Volunteer, we expect you to be the embodiment of our Values and Behaviours. Demonstrating One Culture of Care. We aim to care for ourselves and each other in the same way we care for our patients. We aim to be kind, and compassionate at all times. We know that taking care of ourselves and each other is key to our ability to provide compassionate care to our patients. 

We have opportunities for Meet and Greet Volunteers at Calderdale Royal Hospital, Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Acre Mills. With reconfiguration developing, there will be opportunities in the future within our community locations too. 

What you will be doing:

• Being a role model for our CHFT values and behaviours, as you are the first impression of CHFT when someone steps through the doors. 
• Providing support and direction to everyone who steps through the doors. 
• Supporting patients checking in at the patient portal kiosk. 
• Retrieving wheelchairs from wards, units, lifts, car parks and returning them to the main entrances. 
• Referring enquiries beyond your scope to the main security/reception desk. 
• Recording your daily activities for data impact measuring.
• Returning equipment to the relevant departments. 
• Updating the volunteering manager if any direction signage around the hospital has become outdated/incorrect.
• Supporting temporary diversions (this can be due to hospital parking, entrance/exit closures etc).

At CHFT, we welcome volunteers from registered organisations such as; Pet as Therapy and Therapy Dogs Nationwide. This particular role of volunteer truly makes a difference to the health and well-being of patients and staff. 

At CHFT, we aim to ensure staff and patients all have access to our registered dogs, as everyone deserves the companionship of a friendly pet as their love and affection is pure and guaranteed to put a smile on anyones face.

Benefits of Pets as Therapy include:

• Making you happier, lessening depression, and imporving your outlook on life. 
• Decreasing loneliness and isolation by giving companionship.
• Reducing boredom. 
• Reducing anxiety because of its calming effects.
• Helping children to learn empathic and nuturing skills.
• Improving the relationships between you and your healthcare provider. 
• Increasing physical activity.
• Boosting confidence and improving self-esteem.
• Supporting wellbeing and recovery.

To register with us, you will need to provide the following documentation:

• Certificate of Registration (renewed/in-date).
• Last 12 months vaccination history.
• PAT7 form (Pets as Therapy).

All PAT and Therapy Dogs Nationwide Volunteers will be subject to CHFT Volunteering recruitment checks, which includes an enhanced DBS Barring check Adults and Children, and registering to the DBS Update Service.

If you are interesed in registering your dog and putting them through training and assessment, please contact: 

Therapy Dogs Nationwide: 

enquiries@tdn.org.uk 

07840 994009

Therapy Dogs Nationwide, 103 Home Fram Road, Wirral, CH49 7LG

Pets as Therapy:

reception@petsastherapy.org 

01865 671440

Pets as Therapy, Hampden House, Monument Business Park, Warpsgrove Lane, Chalgrove, Oxfordshire, OX44 7RW

If you are already registered, please contact us directly:

chftvolunteering@cht.nhs.uk

The role of a Pharmacy Volunteer is to support the department in its wider support of patients and staff. The Pharmacy department conduct their own in-house induction and training, the initiative aims to:

• Reduce the number of times clinical team members are called away from their duties. 
• Speed up the delivery of urgent items for in-patients.
• Assist patient flow by delivering urgent discharge medication.
• Speed up the return and delivery of medicaion to the dispensary.
• Reduce waste. 

Volunteers handling Medicines and working near unsealed/locked medications - all tasks are performed under supervision by a competent Pharmacy Assistant or Pharmacy Professional. This meets the General Pharmaceutical Council Guidance. 

CHFT Pharmacy Volunteers are able to carry out the following 'handling medicine' duties and other responsibilities under supervision:

1. Assist Dispensary Assistant in counting reurned medications - Pharmacy Assistant.
2. Assist with putting away Pharmacy Stock in the dispensary - Pharmacy Assistant, Pharmacy Technicians, Responsible Pharmacist and Dispensary Line Manager.
3. Cleaning of computer equipment. 
4. Assist Dispensary Line Manager with stock checks - Dispensary Line Manager.
5. Assist with the 'Podding' of medication using the Pneumatic tube system - Pharmacy Assistant, Pharmacy Technicians, Responsible Pharmacist and Dispensary Line Manager - no handling of medication. 
6. Assist with collecting month end data and archiving and instructed by Dispendary Manager - no handling of medication. 
7. Top up Sundry items as instructed - no handling of medication. 
8. Assist in delivering sealed bags of medication to the wards - including refrigerator items. Supervision is at each point, no handling of medication and bags remain sealed/similar to Taxi transfers. Volunteers do not deliver Controlled Drugs. 

We have radio stations at both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. 

Both stations are run entirely by volunteers, who give a few hours a week, either presenting or producing, providing music and information to listeners. 

The radio stations play a variety of music, played to suit a wide range of listeners and it is important to always remember the stations are representing an NHS organisation, conversing, dealing with, and being observed by patients, visitors, and staff members. Professional, respectable, and sensible behaviour must be displayed at all times. 

Whilst each radio station has their own specific training in place, as an NHS CHFT Volunteer, it is mandatory to follow all Trust Volunteer recruitment and induction policies to be able to volunteer within Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. This will be provided by the Volunteering Services Team.

A professional approach should be maintained at all times. Political opinion and bad language is not permitted. 

What you will be doing:

• Presenting a radio programme, playing a variety of music, and sharing information to listeners. 
• Support behind the scenes - engineers and technicians helping to keep the station on air or fixing equipment. 
• Organise the catalogue of music/CDs.
• Help keep the studio clean and tidy. 
• Representing the radio at events. 
• Help with fundraising events. 

What skills you need:

• Passionate about radio and music.
• Relate to people in a polite, friendly, and courteous manner. 
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to respect confidentiality.
• Punctual and reliable.
• Well-presented, with a friendly and approachable manner. 
• Able to demonstrate empathy, compassion, and One Culture of Care. 
• Willingness to be flexible and to follow the guidance of the Supervisor. 
• Ability to manage own time effectively.
• Compliance with the Trusts Volunteer Policy and the Volunteer Handbook.
• A commitment to uphold the Trusts values - Putting People First, Go See, Work Together to Get Results, Most Dos. 
• A commitment to uphold the Trusts Equality and Diversity Policy.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

Charity Collection Tub Volunteer:

This role will require you to place collection tubs in local businesses, such as cafes, newsagents, pubs, restaurants, pharmacies, takeaways, hairdressers, barbers etc, in your local area. The more tubs you place and collect, the more money you will raise for you local hospital. 

What you will be doing:

• Finding new businesses to place collection tubs in your local area and tracking these.
• Frequent visiting of the sites where collection tubs are placed to service. 
• Building healthy relationships with shop / business owners.
• Collect, count and bank donations with CHFT Charity on a regular basis.
• Distributing posters, flyers and marketing materials to selected organisations within your area. 
• Being our eyes and ears in your local area and feedback updates to support and maxmise local fundraising and volunteer opportunities. 

The role of the Chaplaincy Volunteer is to support the Chaplaincy team to provide pastoral, spiritual, and religious care to patients, families and staff at Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Pastoral, spiritual, and religious care are part of the provision of healthcare in the hospitals. Chaplaincy Volunteers are 'patient facing' and provide regulated activity to care for patients in a non-clinical capacity under the direction and supervision of healthcare professionals. 

Pastoral care involves active listening and may include giving advice and guidance on emotional and spiritual well-being. In addition, religious advice and guidance on emotional and spiritual well-being. In addition, religious advice may be given, supporting patients to express, practice and live by the values of their faith, supporting holistic health and well-being. 

"Chaplaincy is a vital part of NHS care for patients, for their families and carers, and for NHS staff. Chaplaincy services are offered fairly and equally to everyone without discrimination" - NHS England, 2023. 

Chaplaincy Volunteers are specially trained to provide pastoral care with a commitment to working in hospitals a minimum of one day a week. 

What you will be doing as a Chaplaincy Volunteer: 

• Visiting in-patients and providing pastoral and spiritual care as required identifying whether any patients wish to receive prayers and referring appropriately for a Chaplain to deliver. 
• General engagement, providing companionship and communication, offering empathetic listening to patients, and identifying those who may be isolated or lonely. 
• Supporting and helping at services of worship and celebration. Seasonal and memorial services and chaplaincy promotional activities. 
• Monitoring usage and replenishing the Faith Resource Packs supplied to each ward/service area. 
• Providing pastoral and spiritual support to families and significant others. 

The End-of-Life Companion Volunteers are specially trained within the Chaplaincy service. Their role involved accompanying patients in their last days of life, also offering support for their families and significant others. 

Requests for an EOL companion volunteer are usually made by the ward staff caring for the patient who may or may not have family and friends to be with them. When a referral is received, companions are contacted via the companions 'WhatsApp' group and visits arrranged as appropriate during the service operating times of Monday to Friday between the hours of 10am to 3pm.

The assigned EOL companion will be expected to accompany the dying person at the bedside, providing appropriate person-centred support. 

The EOL companion will not perform any clinical care or moving and handling of the patient but may assist in personal care with supporting nutrition and hydration, prompting reminders, accessing their food, and cutting up of food into smaller manageable pieces. EOL companions are not allowed to physically feed patients. 

The role of a CYP volunteer is to support patients between the ages of 0 to 18 and staff as part of a multi-disciplinary team by providing an additional pair of hands to assist with non-clinical activities providing play and distraction in all paediatric areas within CHFT.

What you will be doing:

• Promotion of play activities, manning engagement stalls and content preparation
• Gentle encouragement to those who appear less confident and less inclined to participate
• To help create a play environment where young people can make choices, access a range of resources, and be supported in their play and activities.
• To be able to set up and deliver group activities in the messy area and encourage children to participate and socialise with one another
• Supporting mental and physical well-being, benefiting overall patient experience
• Assists in the overall tidiness and cleaning down of play equipment/toys
• Stock count and replenishment (bravery award cards / stickers/ arts & crafts)
• Completes menus for patients/relatives at mealtimes (pending on deployed to area)
• Replenishment of information leaflets

The role of a Discharge Response Volunteer (DRV) is to support patients, some with complex needs, and staff as part of a multi-disciplinary team by providing an additional pair of hands to assist with non-clinical activities providing engagement and distraction across the Discharge Lounge, Frailty Same Day Emergency Care (Med SDEC) and Ward 3 Short Stay. 

Additionally supporting the transfer of medically fit patients from Frailty SDEC and Ward 3 Short Stay to the Discharge Lounge. Transfer will be by wheelchair; no bed transfers are permitted within this role. 

What you will be doing:

• Encouraging engagement and social activities, through conversation, arts and crafts, drawing, painting, colouring, board games, cards, bingo, knitting, crochet etc. 
• Offering alternatives: books / magazines / radio / film.
• Updating information awareness boards. 
• Restocking information stands.
• Supporting mental and physical well-being, benefitting overall patient experience. 
• Support the distribution and collection of Friends and Family Test (FFT).
• Assist in the overall tidiness and cleaning down of play equipment / crafts / games / chairs / bookshelves / refreshments area. 
• To escort patients / relatives to and from the area when necessary. 
• Ensure that all queries are attended to as soon as possible, conveying any messages to the appropriate personnel where queries are beyond your remit. 
• Supporting hydration, providing refreshments - catering to reasonable adjustments. 
• Were applicable, supporting the transfer of patients from the Wards to Discharge Lounge (where a patient requires two-person handling, a clinically qualified member of staff will lead, with support from the volunteer).
• Collection of medications from Pharmacy to Ward / Frailty SDEC to support timely treatment and prevention in delayed discharge. 
• To work towards, working without direct supervision. Using own initiative within the level of competency of this role specification. 

The role of a Mealtime Submission Volunteer is to support patients with selecting their meal choices, taking into consideration any dietary requirements and allergies. Some of our patients will have complex needs, therefore, it's essential volunteers within this role have compassion and the ability to demonstrate patience. Volunteers will directly support staff as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Mealtime Submission Volunteers will also be requested to support the preparation and readiness of cutlery whilst on shift, ensuring everything is prepped and accessible for when meals are distributed.

What you will be doing:

• Support patients by collecting their meal preferences and submitting this information electronically via a digital tablet (iPad), which is immediately received by the Trust's Catering department. 
• Being thorough with details obtained and listing any dietary requirements and allergies.
• Report any issues or feedback as required to ward staff.
• Ensure patients/carers have a clean space to eat their meal, clearing their bedside tables. 
• Preparing already washed cutlery and wrapping within napkins, in readiness for distribution when meals arrives.
• Where appropriate, provide FFT (Friends and Family Test) forms. 
• Wiping down electronic tablet and placing on charge before finishing your shift, in readiness for the next volunteer/colleague. 

As a Mealtime Support Volunteer, you will support patients on wards in an acute setting through a variety of specific mealtime tasks. You will play a crucial role helping to support the wellbeing of patients and reduce the risk of malnutrition/dehydration, which is a vital part in recovery. 

This volunteer role will prioritise support to patients with a 'red tray' in place but can provide support and encouragement to all patients on the ward. 

Mealtimes can be a lonely experience in a hospital, this role will provide companionship and conversation to those who wish to chat, whilst encouraging and prompting reminders to eat/drink.

In 2024, the Palliative Care Team identified challenges in providing a hot meal to carers who were spending long periods of time with their loved one within their last days of life. Feedback from carers highlighted that they could be reluctant to leave the bedside to utilise a meal voucher. Feedback from colleagues highlighted varied approaches to providing nutritional support including sandwiches and drinks. Volunteering Services felt it necessary to incorporate supporting carers as well as patients within this volunteering role, for maximising overall experience and benefit. 

As a Mealtime Support Volunteer, we expect you to be the embodiment of our Values and Behaviours. Demonstrating One Culture of Care and Compassionate Care. We aim to care for ourselves and each other in the same way we care for our patients. We aim to be kind and compassionate at all times. We know that taking care of ourselves and each other is key to our ability to provide compassionate care to our patients. 

What you will be doing:

Preparation for mealtimes:

• Offering patients the chance to wash / wipe their hands.
• Clearing tables and wiping them.
• Ensuring the patient is in a comfortable position to eat, and seeking support from the ward team, if necessary to help a patient to sit up.
• Making sure that the patient has the correct utensils, including adapted cutlery, non-slip mats and plate guards if necessary. 

During mealtimes: 

• Positioning food next to the patient.
• Opening packets, removing lids etc. if needed.
• Cutting food into manageable chunks if needed.
• Positioning the food on the plate in a way that helps the patient / turning the place round during the mealtime. 
• Explaining where the food is situated on the plate for patients that are partially sighted. 
• Placing food on utensils.
• Giving verbal encouragement to patients to eat and drink. 

Being an advocate:

• Ensuring that patients receive the correct meal and informing the ward team if they would like an alternative meal / snack. 
• Passing on any questions or concerns to the ward team. 
• Communicate effectively with the most vulnerable patients e.g. those with cognitive issues. 

At the end of mealtime:

• If a patient is unable to finish their meal, ask why there is food left (i.e. tiredness, visual problems, denture problems or taste preferences) and inform nursing staff. 
• Giving feedback to the ward team, providing information about how much patients have had to eat / drink by completing the volunteering handover form. 
• Informing the ward team when a patient with a 'red tray' has finished their meal, so that a record can be made on food / fluid charts.