Volunteers play a really important part in the NHS and volunteers at our Trust are no different. We’re committed to making volunteers part of our teams and we’re delighted you’re thinking about joining us.

We know the more reflective our volunteers are of the communities we serve, the more relevant our services become. Volunteers can offer personal, cultural, spiritual and creative contributions and offer the time that people need.

By volunteering with us, you can give your community a voice in everything we do, whilst building new friendships; improving your confidence, boosting your CV and improving your own health and wellbeing.

Our volunteer service is accredited by Investing in Volunteers, demonstrating that Trust recognises and is committed to providing good working practice, training and support to everyone who volunteers with us.

Read our volunteering strategy 2021 – 2024.

Read our December 2021 newsletter.

Our volunteer approach

The Trust offers a range of volunteering opportunities to enhance the services we provide.  At the heart of volunteering is the Trust volunteer service, which ensures that all our volunteers feel valued and are at the centre of our approach.  We do this by:

• Recognising individual talents, skills and valuing diversity
• Making volunteers feel welcome in a dedicated volunteer lounge
• Offering a range of volunteering opportunities in several different settings and services
• Providing a respectful and compassionate recruitment experience
• Offering additional support, training and a full induction process
• Gathering feedback from volunteers so their voice, experience and ‘fresh eyes’ approach can help support service improvement
• Having a visible volunteer charter in all service settings
• Recognising the commitment and dedication of all our volunteers at an annual celebration event
• Providing volunteering opportunities for people who are vulnerable including those with a mental health condition or learning disability and progression to a paid role including roles specifically to for those with a lived experience

All our formal volunteers are recruited through the volunteer service, which means every volunteer has an opportunity to volunteer in wide range of inpatient and community service roles.  As an NHS service provider and specialist provider of mental health, learning disability and autism services, a volunteering experience in our Trust can provide a unique and diverse experience.

In addition to volunteering in our inpatient and community services the Trust has several innovative and volunteer supported services and programmes, which include:

• Befriending service
• Recovery colleges
• Creative Minds
• Live Well Wakefield self-management service
• Lay chaplains

Who can volunteer?

We welcome anyone who can bring skills, time or life experiences.  We encourage applications from people from all communities and backgrounds.  If you’re over 16, you can volunteer with us.

Support and training

We’ll provide training to help you in your volunteer role, reimburse you for out of pocket travel expenses, and you will be provided with regular support.

How to apply

‍Email: volunteer@swyt.nhs.uk

Phone: 01924 316426 or 07767 320001

Post: Volunteer services, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Fieldhead Hospital, Ouchthorpe Lane, Wakefield, WF1 3SP

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