Volunteer Hub
Paediatric Ward Support
Organisation Details
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (2026)
Sub theme: Hospitals and Hospices
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
This volunteer role is designed to enhance the patient experience by offering companionship and helping create a calm, positive atmosphere on the ward. Volunteers will engage with patients through friendly conversation and simple activities, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness, and isolation, particularly for those who may not receive regular visitors.
By offering a warm and empathetic presence, volunteers support social interaction through games, reading aloud, or other light activities. Volunteers also provide emotional support by listening to patients’ stories or concerns, helping them feel heard and valued during their hospital stay.
You will:
• Support only those patients identified by the nursing team as appropriate for volunteer interaction.
• Provide face to face, peer support to patients, creating a warm, welcoming, and non-judgemental environment.
• Spend time with patients, parents and guardians through conversation, reading, games, or other simple activities.
• Assist patients with basic non-clinical tasks such as fetching water, magazines, or personal items.
• Help colleagues maintain a clean and tidy ward environment.
• Assist patients accessing entertainment resources such as books, puzzles, or hospital TVs.
• Provide a friendly, respectful, and compassionate presence at all times.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and uphold dignity and respect.
• Be reliable, flexible, and able to adapt to different situations.
Please note: This role does not replace that of a team member, but directly benefits colleagues by providing valuable support to patients.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES OF THE VOLUNTEER
• Report to the Ward Manager or Nurse in Charge (NIC) at the start of each session.
• Be introduced to a Nursing Assistant (NA) or Registered Nurse (RN), who will identify patients to support.
• Introduce yourself to the patient, obtain verbal consent, and use the patients preferred name.
• Provide a warm, positive and welcoming environment on their arrival.
• Engage in conversation to reduce patient stress and isolation.
• Read age-appropriate books to patients to promote cognitive function and improve mood.
• Support patient wellbeing through activities based such as puzzles, board games, or quizzes, promoting cognitive function, fine motor movement, memory and understanding. Offer support and information as directed by colleagues, in line with training and NHS standards.
• Help maintain ward information, displays and promotional resources.
• Assist colleagues with setting up and tidying the relative’s room.
• Participate in local and national initiatives, e.g., World Book Day.
• Support the Friends and Family Test (FFT) and other patient experience surveys by distributing, collecting and logging data.
• Promote and uphold equality, diversity, and individual rights, and take appropriate action if policies are undermined.
• Act as a buddy or mentor for new volunteers.
• Follow all food hygiene and uniform guidelines, including:
- Hair tied back
- Bare below the elbows
- No jewellery, artificial nails, gel or acrylics
- Cuts covered with waterproof plasters
- Seek advice if unsure
RECORD AND REVIEW
• Observe sessions and complete a paper-based record.
• Submit records to the Ward Manager or Nurse in Charge, who will upload the information onto HIVE.
TRAINING
Volunteers must:
• Complete all Mandatory Training and maintain up to date records.
• Complete Hand Hygiene and Infection and Prevention – Level 2
• Develop a working knowledge of MFT policies and procedures relating to patient care.
• Actively promote equality, diversity, and rights of individuals, and take action if policies are undermined.
• Be prepared to adapt to new or different duties as service needs evolve.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRACTITIONER SUPERVISING THE VOLUNTEER
• Provide a full orientation to the ward, including environment, safety procedures, and processes.
• Share all relevant information to enable effective volunteer support, including cultural, religious or other special considerations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact, offering guidance, support, and regular communication to help the volunteer feel welcomed, valued, and confident in their role.
Please note: evening and weekend volunteering opportunities may be considered following a successful induction period.
This volunteer role is designed to enhance the patient experience by offering companionship and helping create a calm, positive atmosphere on the ward. Volunteers will engage with patients through friendly conversation and simple activities, helping to reduce feelings of loneliness, and isolation, particularly for those who may not receive regular visitors.
By offering a warm and empathetic presence, volunteers support social interaction through games, reading aloud, or other light activities. Volunteers also provide emotional support by listening to patients’ stories or concerns, helping them feel heard and valued during their hospital stay.
You will:
• Support only those patients identified by the nursing team as appropriate for volunteer interaction.
• Provide face to face, peer support to patients, creating a warm, welcoming, and non-judgemental environment.
• Spend time with patients, parents and guardians through conversation, reading, games, or other simple activities.
• Assist patients with basic non-clinical tasks such as fetching water, magazines, or personal items.
• Help colleagues maintain a clean and tidy ward environment.
• Assist patients accessing entertainment resources such as books, puzzles, or hospital TVs.
• Provide a friendly, respectful, and compassionate presence at all times.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and uphold dignity and respect.
• Be reliable, flexible, and able to adapt to different situations.
Please note: This role does not replace that of a team member, but directly benefits colleagues by providing valuable support to patients.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES OF THE VOLUNTEER
• Report to the Ward Manager or Nurse in Charge (NIC) at the start of each session.
• Be introduced to a Nursing Assistant (NA) or Registered Nurse (RN), who will identify patients to support.
• Introduce yourself to the patient, obtain verbal consent, and use the patients preferred name.
• Provide a warm, positive and welcoming environment on their arrival.
• Engage in conversation to reduce patient stress and isolation.
• Read age-appropriate books to patients to promote cognitive function and improve mood.
• Support patient wellbeing through activities based such as puzzles, board games, or quizzes, promoting cognitive function, fine motor movement, memory and understanding. Offer support and information as directed by colleagues, in line with training and NHS standards.
• Help maintain ward information, displays and promotional resources.
• Assist colleagues with setting up and tidying the relative’s room.
• Participate in local and national initiatives, e.g., World Book Day.
• Support the Friends and Family Test (FFT) and other patient experience surveys by distributing, collecting and logging data.
• Promote and uphold equality, diversity, and individual rights, and take appropriate action if policies are undermined.
• Act as a buddy or mentor for new volunteers.
• Follow all food hygiene and uniform guidelines, including:
- Hair tied back
- Bare below the elbows
- No jewellery, artificial nails, gel or acrylics
- Cuts covered with waterproof plasters
- Seek advice if unsure
RECORD AND REVIEW
• Observe sessions and complete a paper-based record.
• Submit records to the Ward Manager or Nurse in Charge, who will upload the information onto HIVE.
TRAINING
Volunteers must:
• Complete all Mandatory Training and maintain up to date records.
• Complete Hand Hygiene and Infection and Prevention – Level 2
• Develop a working knowledge of MFT policies and procedures relating to patient care.
• Actively promote equality, diversity, and rights of individuals, and take action if policies are undermined.
• Be prepared to adapt to new or different duties as service needs evolve.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRACTITIONER SUPERVISING THE VOLUNTEER
• Provide a full orientation to the ward, including environment, safety procedures, and processes.
• Share all relevant information to enable effective volunteer support, including cultural, religious or other special considerations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact, offering guidance, support, and regular communication to help the volunteer feel welcomed, valued, and confident in their role.
Please note: evening and weekend volunteering opportunities may be considered following a successful induction period.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Creative Skills, Administration, Customer Service, Oral Communication Skills, 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: