Volunteer Hub
Meet and Greet Volunteer Role
Organisation Details
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (2026)
Sub theme: Hospitals and Hospices
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: Join our team to support the community and gain meaningful experience!
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is committed to improving the health and quality of life of the diverse communities it serves by delivering compassionate, inclusive, and collaborative care. Volunteers play a vital role in supporting this mission, contributing their time and energy to enhance patient experience, staff morale, and service delivery across all hospital sites.
We value our volunteers as an integral part of our workforce, recognising their contributions through structured support, training, and national accreditation such as the Investing in Volunteers award. MFT fosters a culture of respect, dignity, and open communication, ensuring that volunteers feel empowered and appreciated in their roles.
Who can apply?
Anyone with a passion to make a difference and a willingness to give their time can apply to become a volunteer. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life. Whether you have specific skills to offer or simply a desire to help, there are opportunities available for everyone.
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, with no upper age limit, as long as they are able to perform the responsibilities of the role at MFT.
Where can I volunteer?
We have a variety of volunteer roles available across our hospital sites; however, please note that your preferred site may depend on availability and service needs. Our hospitals include:
Oxford Road Campus (ORC) – Manchester Royal Infirmary, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and University Dental Hospital of Manchester
Wythenshawe Hospital, Withington Community Hospital, Trafford General Hospital, and Altrincham Hospital (WTWA)
North Manchester General Hospital
Local Care Organisation (LCO), and Trafford Local Care Organisation (TLCO)
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is committed to improving the health and quality of life of the diverse communities it serves by delivering compassionate, inclusive, and collaborative care. Volunteers play a vital role in supporting this mission, contributing their time and energy to enhance patient experience, staff morale, and service delivery across all hospital sites.
We value our volunteers as an integral part of our workforce, recognising their contributions through structured support, training, and national accreditation such as the Investing in Volunteers award. MFT fosters a culture of respect, dignity, and open communication, ensuring that volunteers feel empowered and appreciated in their roles.
Who can apply?
Anyone with a passion to make a difference and a willingness to give their time can apply to become a volunteer. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and walks of life. Whether you have specific skills to offer or simply a desire to help, there are opportunities available for everyone.
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, with no upper age limit, as long as they are able to perform the responsibilities of the role at MFT.
Where can I volunteer?
We have a variety of volunteer roles available across our hospital sites; however, please note that your preferred site may depend on availability and service needs. Our hospitals include:
Oxford Road Campus (ORC) – Manchester Royal Infirmary, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and University Dental Hospital of Manchester
Wythenshawe Hospital, Withington Community Hospital, Trafford General Hospital, and Altrincham Hospital (WTWA)
North Manchester General Hospital
Local Care Organisation (LCO), and Trafford Local Care Organisation (TLCO)
Description of role: ROLE PURPOSE
The role is designed to offer a warm, friendly welcome to patients, visitors and colleagues, serving as an approachable first point of contact within MFT. Volunteer will assist patients, visitors and colleagues to navigate wards, departments, clinics, and facilities efficiently using maps, signs, or personal knowledge of the hospital layout.
Volunteers may need to walk with individuals who may feel overwhelmed or are unsure of their destination, assisting elderly patients, families with children, or those with mobility issues to ensure they reach their destinations safely.
Volunteers must have excellent interpersonal skills, allowing them to interact confidently and independently with people from all backgrounds. They may provide reassurance to anxious or confused visitors, helping them feel supported and valued, particularly in stressful situations.
You will:
• Meet and greet patients, visitors, and colleagues during sessions.
• Provide face to face support to patients, relatives and colleagues.
• Help create a warm, welcoming, and non-judgemental environment.
• Volunteer under the supervision of a member of the Voluntary Services Team.
• Be passionate about volunteering and enthusiastic about helping members of the public in MFT hospitals and departments.
Please note: This role does not replace that of a member of the team. However, volunteers directly benefit colleagues by offering a supportive service.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES OF THE VOLUNTEER
• Serve as the first point of contact at entrances or reception areas.
• Welcome patients, families, and visitors with a friendly and approachable demeanour.
• Assist individuals in finding their way to departments, clinics, wards, or services e.g., radiology, outpatient clinics, pharmacy) using maps, signage, or personal knowledge.
• Assist elderly patients, families with children, or those with mobility issues to reach their destinations safely, including use of MFT wheelchairs, (volunteers must only push wheelchairs if trained).
• Locate and retrieve wheelchairs from designated storage areas.
• Offer support and information as directed by colleagues, in line with relevant training and NHS standards.
• Contribute to improving patient experience through participating in local and national initiatives, e.g., Nurses Day, PLACE Assessments.
• Support the Voluntary Services Department with general office duties (e.g., filing, laminating, photocopying, scanning, processing mail).
• Support the delivery, distribution, and collection of Friends and Family Test (FFT) data and other patient experience surveys across wards and departments.
• Help deliver, distribute, and collect Patient Experience related surveys and posters across hospital wards and departments.
• Promote and uphold equality, diversity, and individual rights, aligned with MFT policies. Act as a buddy or mentor for new volunteers, providing guidance and encouragement.
SUPPORTING VOLUNTEERING NHS STANDARDS:
Volunteers are expected to:
• Maintain a non-judgemental, welcoming, and friendly approach.
• Demonstrate good communication skills and relate easily to adults and children in hospital settings.
• Be reliable, flexible, and adaptable.
• Support MFT-wide initiatives and local audits.
RECORD AND REVIEW
• Observe sessions and record relevant information on the Better Impact System.
TRAINING
Volunteers must:
• Complete all MFT Mandatory Training and maintain up to date records.
• Complete mandatory wheelchair training.
• Actively promote equality, diversity, and individual rights.
• Be prepared to adapt to new or different duties as required by service developments.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRACTITIONER SUPERVISING THE VOLUNTEER
• Provide a full orientation to the venue, including safety procedures, and processes.
• Identify areas of the hospital where the volunteer will provide assistance before and during each session.
• Share all relevant information to enable effective support, including any ward or departmental changes.
• Serve as the primary point of contact, offering guidance, support, and regular communication to help the volunteer feel welcomed and valued.
The above responsibilities will also be covered in the training programme provided by the Voluntary Services team prior to the volunteer starting in this role.
The role is designed to offer a warm, friendly welcome to patients, visitors and colleagues, serving as an approachable first point of contact within MFT. Volunteer will assist patients, visitors and colleagues to navigate wards, departments, clinics, and facilities efficiently using maps, signs, or personal knowledge of the hospital layout.
Volunteers may need to walk with individuals who may feel overwhelmed or are unsure of their destination, assisting elderly patients, families with children, or those with mobility issues to ensure they reach their destinations safely.
Volunteers must have excellent interpersonal skills, allowing them to interact confidently and independently with people from all backgrounds. They may provide reassurance to anxious or confused visitors, helping them feel supported and valued, particularly in stressful situations.
You will:
• Meet and greet patients, visitors, and colleagues during sessions.
• Provide face to face support to patients, relatives and colleagues.
• Help create a warm, welcoming, and non-judgemental environment.
• Volunteer under the supervision of a member of the Voluntary Services Team.
• Be passionate about volunteering and enthusiastic about helping members of the public in MFT hospitals and departments.
Please note: This role does not replace that of a member of the team. However, volunteers directly benefit colleagues by offering a supportive service.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES OF THE VOLUNTEER
• Serve as the first point of contact at entrances or reception areas.
• Welcome patients, families, and visitors with a friendly and approachable demeanour.
• Assist individuals in finding their way to departments, clinics, wards, or services e.g., radiology, outpatient clinics, pharmacy) using maps, signage, or personal knowledge.
• Assist elderly patients, families with children, or those with mobility issues to reach their destinations safely, including use of MFT wheelchairs, (volunteers must only push wheelchairs if trained).
• Locate and retrieve wheelchairs from designated storage areas.
• Offer support and information as directed by colleagues, in line with relevant training and NHS standards.
• Contribute to improving patient experience through participating in local and national initiatives, e.g., Nurses Day, PLACE Assessments.
• Support the Voluntary Services Department with general office duties (e.g., filing, laminating, photocopying, scanning, processing mail).
• Support the delivery, distribution, and collection of Friends and Family Test (FFT) data and other patient experience surveys across wards and departments.
• Help deliver, distribute, and collect Patient Experience related surveys and posters across hospital wards and departments.
• Promote and uphold equality, diversity, and individual rights, aligned with MFT policies. Act as a buddy or mentor for new volunteers, providing guidance and encouragement.
SUPPORTING VOLUNTEERING NHS STANDARDS:
Volunteers are expected to:
• Maintain a non-judgemental, welcoming, and friendly approach.
• Demonstrate good communication skills and relate easily to adults and children in hospital settings.
• Be reliable, flexible, and adaptable.
• Support MFT-wide initiatives and local audits.
RECORD AND REVIEW
• Observe sessions and record relevant information on the Better Impact System.
TRAINING
Volunteers must:
• Complete all MFT Mandatory Training and maintain up to date records.
• Complete mandatory wheelchair training.
• Actively promote equality, diversity, and individual rights.
• Be prepared to adapt to new or different duties as required by service developments.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRACTITIONER SUPERVISING THE VOLUNTEER
• Provide a full orientation to the venue, including safety procedures, and processes.
• Identify areas of the hospital where the volunteer will provide assistance before and during each session.
• Share all relevant information to enable effective support, including any ward or departmental changes.
• Serve as the primary point of contact, offering guidance, support, and regular communication to help the volunteer feel welcomed and valued.
The above responsibilities will also be covered in the training programme provided by the Voluntary Services team prior to the volunteer starting in this role.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Customer Service, Team Working
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday Morning, Monday Afternoon, Tuesday Morning, Tuesday Afternoon, Wednesday Morning, Wednesday Afternoon, Thursday Morning, Thursday Afternoon, Friday Morning, Friday Afternoon
DBS required: On
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 2-3 hours per week
Location: