Job overview

Volunteer Opportunities!

At Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust giving your time helps make a big difference to our patients.

There are many different reasons for volunteering with us, some of the benefits our existing volunteer workforce have cited include:

• Making a real difference to patients, their families, friends and relatives;
• Giving something back to the local community;
• Chance to do something worthwhile and meaningful to you;
• Working as part of a team - you'll be part of a volunteer team supported by staff and the voluntary services team throughout your volunteering journey;
• The prospect to learn new skills and share your existing expertise.   In addition to mandatory training there are often opportunities to undertake additional training;
• Whether you are studying or reconsidering your career, volunteering can help you decide your future goals;
• We welcome volunteers from all walks of life and backgrounds.

Main duties of the job

As a Volunteer you will be part of a strong, dedicated team of volunteers working alongside staff to provide holistic support to patients and their families.  This might include:

• Encouraging patients to eat and provide company at mealtimes - this is a non-clinical role, you are not expected to support with feeding as this requires specialist training;
• Where appropriate/required escort patients/visitors to different locations throughout the hospital including way finding - assistance with manual handing/patient transfers is not expected;
• Providing companionship and company to patients during their stay, this might include playing cards, reading or chatting.

Working for our organisation

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?

We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

•    At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
•    Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
•    Blue Light card eligibility
•    And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below