Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

KGH Volunteer

The closing date is 14 April 2026

Job summary

Please note that volunteering is an unpaid role - we are unable to offer sponsorship as volunteering does not meet UK sponsorship requirements.

Volunteering with us is a chance to make a genuine difference in the lives of our patients and families. By giving your time, you will help improve care, support our staff, and make every day brighter for those who need it most.

Why volunteer?

Help patients and visitors feel welcome and supported.

Give back to your community and the NHS.

Join a warm, friendly team of volunteers.

About the roles:

Due to the nature of these volunteer roles, you must be 18 or older to apply for any of the roles listed below.

All roles are based Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Outdoor Buggy Drivers must hold a driving license for at least 3 years.

Volunteer opportunities:

Response Volunteer

Paediatric Theatre Volunteer

Ward Volunteer

Outdoor Buggy Driver

Your commitment: Just 3-4 hours a week can make a real impact. A regular commitment is required. If you cannot commit to weekly volunteering please look out for future opportunities.

Main duties of the job

Paediatrics Theatre Volunteer

Greet children and parents / carers arriving for surgery and help them feel comfortable

Stay in the reception area while the child is reviewed by clinical staff

Provide reassurance and friendly support to families throughout their visit

Befriend and engage with children waiting for surgery

Tidy the department and ensure toys are kept clean

Carry out other non-clinical tasks requested by the nursing team

Ward Volunteer

Spend time with patients, offering friendly conversation and a listening ear

Chat/read with patients who may not have visitors

Support with hydration by offering drinks, refilling water jugs, and encouraging patients to drink

Read to patients who may struggle to read themselves or simply enjoy being read to

Notice and support patients who may feel lonely or anxious

Create moments of calm, reassurance, and connection

Outdoor Buggy Driver

To provide a comprehensive volunteer buggy service for the hospital

Transport outpatients / visitors to departments and wards

To greet & chat with outpatients or visitors on arrival and provide a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere

Undertake visual safety checks at the start of the shift, reporting any issues immediately

Outdoor Buggy - be courteous and considerate to all other road users

About us

Please submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close adverts once we have received sufficient applications

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is on an exciting journey with all of our divisions committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN). As part of this collaborative approach, there may be a requirement for you to work across both the Kettering and Northampton hospital sites, depending on the needs of the service.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across UHN and help to unleash everyone's full potential.

UHN encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We recognise the valuable contribution that the Armed Forces community make to our organisation. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for UHN.

Date posted

01 April 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience Volunteer Role

Contract

Voluntary

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

264-7577226-A-VOL

Job locations

Kettering General Hospital

Rothwell Road

Kettering

NN16 8UZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

How to apply:

Clearly state the role you are applying for in your application in supporting information if you do not specify the preferred, sadly we cannot process your application. Tell us which day and time (between Monday and Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm) you are available.

We receive many applications but can only accept a limited number of volunteers, so including all requested information is essential.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and join our volunteer team.

For Full details and responsibilities of the role, please see attached job description and person specification

Job description

Job responsibilities

How to apply:

We receive many applications but can only accept a limited number of volunteers, so including all requested information is essential.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and join our volunteer team.

For Full details and responsibilities of the role, please see attached job description and person specification

Person Specification

Educations, Training and Qualifications

Essential

No specific qualifications are required for this role, although any relevant qualifications should be detailed on the application.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Show empathy and compassion towards others and treats people with dignity and respect
Experience assisting the public

Skills

Essential

Ability to communicate in a calm and professional manner

Desirable

Good interpersonal skills

Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users
Recognise when appropriate to seek support from others
Reliable, honest and punctual
Ability to exercise confidentiality and discretion
Ability to work on own initiative

Person Specification

Educations, Training and Qualifications

Essential

No specific qualifications are required for this role, although any relevant qualifications should be detailed on the application.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Show empathy and compassion towards others and treats people with dignity and respect
Experience assisting the public

Skills

Essential

Ability to communicate in a calm and professional manner

Desirable

Good interpersonal skills

Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

Passionate and committed to bring our Dedicated to Excellence values to life, improving the way we work with each other, particularly focusing on empowerment, equality diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users
Recognise when appropriate to seek support from others
Reliable, honest and punctual
Ability to exercise confidentiality and discretion
Ability to work on own initiative

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

Employer details

Employer name

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kettering General Hospital

Rothwell Road

Kettering

NN16 8UZ

Employer's website

https://www.kgh.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Kettering General Hospital

Rothwell Road

Kettering

NN16 8UZ

Employer's website

https://www.kgh.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)