Volunteering.

Become a Nightingale Volunteer

Our friendly Nightingale Volunteers give patients a warm welcome when they arrive. You will mostly be based at the Pedestrian Entrance and Reception.

Volunteers are some of the first people our patients see. This means you help make them feel safe, calm, and cared for.

When you join, you will become part of the Royal Devon volunteer team. This also gives you the chance to try other volunteer roles across the organisation.

Volunteer Hours

Volunteers work Monday to Friday in 4-hour shifts:

  • 8:00am–12:00pm

  • 12:00pm–4:00pm

We try to have at least two volunteers on each shift. Shifts are booked online using our rota system called Better Impact. We provide training and all the information you need.

What You Will Do

As a volunteer, you may:

  • Help patients get safely from their transport into the hospital

  • Push patients in wheelchairs if they need help

  • Show patients where they can buy drinks and snacks

  • Offer water to patients when needed

  • Encourage patients to share feedback using feedback cards or email

  • Explain parking and transport options, including the Nightingale Shuttle Bus

For more information, see our Volunteer Role Description.

Facilities for Volunteers

There is no parking at the Nightingale. However, you can park for free at the Park and Change car park at Exeter Science Park. From there, you can take the Nightingale Shuttle Bus. The bus runs every 30 minutes.

On site, you can use:

  • The staff room with a kitchen (fridge, microwave, and kettle)

  • Changing rooms with showers and lockers

We have a café that opens Monday to Friday, 8:00am–4:00pm. It sells drinks and snacks at lower prices for staff and volunteers.

Other benefits: 

Your travel expenses can be reimbursed within limitations. We will advise on the procedure for submitting these claims.

How to apply: 

Please, click here for the online application to apply.

Detailed here is a flowchart of our recruitment process but if you have any questions, please contact us via rduh.nightingalevolunteers@nhs.net and we’ll be in touch with further details.

 

 

 

Frequently asked questions

 

Who can volunteer?

Anyone who is 16 years of age or over. We encourage volunteers from all walks of life, bringing their skills and life experiences to support the hospital in various ways. We have students building a CV, stay at home parents offering some spare time to meet new people, hospital staff giving their time in different ways, and retired people keeping active across our communities. Anyone who is happy to offer their time and services for free can be considered for volunteering with us at Nightingale

How soon can I start?

The recruitment procedure is likely to take at least 4-6 weeks to complete after the initial informal interview and includes clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, health checks, right to work checks and appropriate references. We will sort all of this out for you and get you volunteering with us as soon as possible.

How much time do volunteers give?

As much time as you can spare! Our shifts are of 4 hours from either 08:00-12:00 or 12:00-16:00. Obviously, we want you to stay with us as long as possible but we ask for a minimum commitment of six months. When you have completed six months or more, we are normally happy to provide a reference for you for future academic courses or employment, if required.

Will volunteering cost me money?

No. We will cover your car parking fees, and can reimburse travel expenses on presentation of relevant receipts and an expenses form, which will be made available to you when you start. Many of our volunteers choose not to claim, but it’s entirely your decision. We don’t want you to feel unable to give your time, if expenses would prevent that.

Will training be provided?

Full training and on-going support will be given to all volunteers. We will provide mandatory induction training and regular updates on topics such as fire, information governance and safeguarding for example. You will also receive role specific training once placed in a department, so you are confident in dealing with the patients that you are interacting with, and understand what is expected of you.

How do I apply?

Please follow the link to Better Impact where there is a application form for Nightingale.

Will I have to have an interview?

We know that some people can worry about attending “interviews”, but it’s really a way of finding out more about you and where you will be happiest volunteering. They give you the chance to ask questions, and we can start the formal side of the recruitment once we are both confident that a role is suitable for you. Think of them being very much like a chat over coffee, always friendly and relaxed so there really is nothing to worry about!

What if I start but I don’t like it?

If you aren’t feeling happy, or have any concerns then you can talk to the ward/department manager who is there to support you in your role. If you want to change what it is you are doing, then they will refer you back to the Volunteer Services team. To get the most out of a volunteering, we would ideally suggest spending 6 months in it, as it can take a while to get settled, but if you are unhappy, we will do our best to find another role you feel comfortable with in other areas of the hospital, but of course you are able to leave at any time.