The Voluntary Services Team at Frimley Health is currently made up of around 850 volunteers across a number of Trust sites.

The majority of the volunteers are at Wexham Park Hospital, Frimley Park Hospital and Heatherwood. However, volunteers also carry out their duties at Farnham Hospital, Aldershot Centre for Health and Heathlands as well as King Edwards VII Hospital in Windsor and St Mark's Hospital in Maidenhead.

Volunteering is very rewarding for those who come forward. At present the Trust has 27 different roles; ranging from Patient Companions to Buggy Drivers and Meal Time Assistants to Bookshop Volunteers. Each and every role contributes to improving the patient experience across the Trust.

We are so very proud to have recruited the number of volunteers that are currently “in post”. During the height of the pandemic, many volunteers were not able to help and at one point during COVID there were just 12 volunteers across the whole Trust. It is wonderful that the recruitment of new volunteers and the return of existing volunteers has been so successful.

More volunteers are always required across the Trust, and applications are very welcome from members of the Trust.

The recruitment process starts with attendance at a volunteers information session. These are held on a monthly basis at Wexham Park Hospital and Frimley Park Hospital.

These sessions provide information on volunteering, what potential volunteers may expect from the Trust and what the Trust requires from volunteers. The hours, minimum length of term to volunteer and also more details about the recruitment process itself. Potential volunteers are then invited to apply online and the recruitment process begins. Volunteers can request the role they would like to undertake and at what location. 

Volunteers are an integral part of the Trust, and everything that they undertake is very much appreciated by staff and also by the Trust. On average volunteers give around 9900 hours each month to the Trust, a figure that the Trust is rightly proud of. Each volunteer gives so much and for that the Trust thanks each and every volunteer.

If you would like to volunteer with the Trust please send an email to fhft.volunteerswph@nhs.net, asking to attend an information session at Wexham Park Hospital or Frimley Park Hospital. You will then receive an email inviting you to the next available session.

We look forward to welcoming you as a volunteer for the Trust.

If you have any questions regarding volunteering, please email the Deputy Voluntary Services Manager, Dervla Leyton – dearbhail.leyton@nhs.net.