Volunteering

Volunteer with us

We value the contributions from our volunteers and what they give back to the community. If you would like to volunteer and can commit to a minimum of six months, where possible, then please get in touch using the details on this page.

When we have vacancies, they are advertised here, so please take a look and contact us if you are interested. Our team will support you through the application process – you can find out more about this in the volunteer expectations and application process section.

Volunteer expectations – prior to placement

Time

Give a minimum of six months commitment where possible.
Volunteering is not the same as a short-term work experience activity. For work experience, please contact kentchft.workexperience@nhs.net.

Age

Anyone under the age of 14 cannot volunteer for KCHFT
Volunteers between age 14 and 18 will be required to have a parent consent form signed and cannot volunteer in areas of direct patient treatment in clinical areas.

Travel

Although we pay travel expenses, we aim to find you a placement as near to your home as possible. If the placement location is too far, we may suggest other volunteer organisations for you to contact.

Recruitment

complete a volunteer application form
provide two referees details – not family or in-laws
complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (if applicable to the role)
agree to a confidentiality and security of information statement
attend an informal interview (virtually, via telephone or in person).

Please be aware that recruitment can take some time, depending on team capacity, response time and DBS confirmation.

Training – you will need to:

participate in identified training, dependent on the placement area
comply with all policies and procedures, particularly in relation to confidentiality, accident reporting, health and safety
fulfil the duties and responsibilities set out in the volunteer role description/risk assessment.

Become a member of our People's Network

We also have opportunities for you to volunteer as a member of our People’s Network. We have a team dedicated to recruiting and supporting patients and carers to work directly with our services to co-design, develop and improve the work we do. Watch our participation video and find out more about how you can get involved with patient engagement on our how can you get involved page.

Work experience

If you would like to discuss short-term work experience as part of a student placement, you can contact us at kentchft.workexperience@nhs.net or find out more on our work experience page.

Volunteer vacancies

Admin at community hospitals in west Kent

Our hospitals in west Kent require volunteer admin support particularly through the winter months. This can include answering the phone and door, photocopying, filing, organising stock and helping the ward clerks.

Sites where volunteers are needed include:

Edenbridge and District War Memorial Hospital, Mill Hill, Edenbridge TN8 5DA
Hawkhurst Community Hospital, High Street, Hawkhurst TN18 4PU
Sevenoaks Hospital, Hospital Road, Sevenoaks TN13 3PG
Tonbridge Cottage Hospital, Vauxhall Lane, Marden, Tonbridge TN11 0NE.

If you would like more information on this opportunity or wish to apply please get in touch. The hours are flexible between 2-6 hours a week between Monday to Sunday, 8am to 4pm.

Meet and greet volunteer at Gravesham Community Hospital

We have meet and greet opportunities to volunteer at Gravesham Community Hospital, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0DG.

The role involves collecting patients and clients from the main door and take them to the seating area. To support the Urgent Treatment Centre, BCG or TB services, assisting on the reception desk, welcoming patients ensuring they are waiting in the correct area, have the correct PPE and social distancing measures are in place. Ensuring patients are complying with infection control measure whilst in the hospital.

UTC (Urgent Care Centre) times/days available:

Mondays and Tuesdays anytime from 2 to 8pm
Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 2pm
Thursday mornings from 9am
Weekends anytime between 9am to 8pm

TB/BCG times/days available:

Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons anytime from 1.15 to 4pm.

Community Hospital support volunteer

This is a flexible and exciting opportunity to support our staff in a non-clinical role across various areas of the service. One day you could be supporting on the wards playing board games with a patient and the next providing support with the discharge process.

In addition to the experience and rewarding role in a community hospital we also provide training on carers awareness. This role is there to support our patients and this includes our volunteers engaging with carers and family members too!

This is an exciting opportunity to support in our community hospitals with the benefit of NHS training and engagement. We have opportunities at the following sites: Deal, Westview (Tenterden), Whitstable, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Herne Bay, Faversham, Hawkhurst and Edenbridge.

Please contact us if you want to learn more or apply.

Patient Experience volunteer

Can you or someone you know spare some time to support our services with phone surveys? You will get the opportunity to chat with patients and gain valuable insight into their experiences within our trust. Our surveys impact greatly on how we make improvements to our services, and ultimately makes a significant positive impact on the lives of our patients. Those who are at the heart of what we do.

If you can spare a few hours a week and like the idea of undertaking phone surveys please get in touch. You will be given training and support from services and current volunteers.

The following services require a patient experience volunteer:
Community Rehabilitation Services, MSK Physiotherapy, Diabetes, Epilepsy and Lymphoedema.

Locations where this role is required include Herne Bay, Ashford, Folkestone, Sevenoaks and Deal.

Hours are anytime Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Meet and greet physiotherapy in Maidstone

We have new volunteer opportunities for you to get involved meeting and greeting at our physio department in Aylesford, Maidstone. This is a great chance for you to work in a physio environment for our trust. The duties include:

To let patients in with the door buzzer system and check them in on the sheets.
To support the centre, assisting the reception desk, welcoming patients ensuring they are waiting in the correct area.
Distributing and helping patients to complete feedback surveys when required.

Days and times available are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, two hour shifts anytime between 9am to 2pm.

Volunteer admin support

Do you have a couple of hours to spare a week to help adult clinical services? The team would like a volunteer to support with putting together packs that are vital to the patients. This role would also involve archiving and supporting with general admin support (in a voluntary capacity). Great for someone who wants NHS experience or would like to give something back and help out a fantastic team.

We are looking for help anytime Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm in Deal, Dover, Westcliffe or Hythe.

Contact us

0300 013 2045, select option two
kentchft.engagement@nhs.net

Patient and Carer Partnership Team
Trinity House
Eureka Business Park
110 / 120 Upper Pemberton
Ashford
TN25 4AZ

Please read the volunteer expectations to find out more about what happens before you apply to and start a volunteer role. You can apply by contacting us, using the details above.

Meet the team

Claire Helen Baldock, Voluntary Service Manager

Claire originally joined KCHFT in March 2019 as an HR and recruitment team member and became Voluntary Service Manager in December 2021. Claire brings with her years of experience working with volunteers across various Kent for not-for-profit organisations and supports and manages the majority of our volunteers across the trust. If you have any questions on becoming a volunteer or want any advice about volunteering contact Claire on: 07584182695.

Theodora Parisi, Volunteers Service Administrator