Voluntary Services GWH

07/09/2026

Have you got some free time and would you like to help support the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?

Volunteering at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an ideal opportunity for you to try something new whilst helping people in your community.

Why is Volunteering Important? As well as helping others, volunteering has been shown to improve Volunteers' wellbeing too.

It’s human nature to feel good after helping someone out. Volunteering can also help you gain valuable new skills and experiences and boost your confidence. It's clear the benefits of volunteering are huge – improved physical and mental health, new friends and avoiding loneliness, a sense of purpose and deeper self-confidence. In turn, all of these things will help to boost your overall happiness: a win-win situation for all involved.

Volunteering is incredibly worthwhile; the benefits are clear but it's important to enjoy it too!

We are currently recruiting for Trust Volunteers. Why not come and join our friendly team? Applications now open!!!!

We have a lots of different opportunities available in patient facing and non-patient facing roles.

We have a duty to recruit and place our Volunteers in a way that ensures safety for all concerned so we welcome applicants who are over 16 years of age and can commit to a minimum of three hours a week for at least six months.

To find out more and to fill out an application, please click the following link: https://bttr.im/x40xd

Applications will close on Wednesday 16th September at 4:00pm.

If you have any questions or require further information, please get back in touch.

We wish you the very best of luck with your application!

Voluntary Services Team

13/08/2026

It’s been a pleasure to host such a wonderful cohort of T Level Health students this year. We’ve loved having you with us and are really looking forward to welcoming many of you back for your Year 2 placements in September! 🥳

We’re sure you’ve all smashed your exams — congratulations on all your hard work, and best of luck with your results! 👏🎉

A huge congratulations to all the T-Level Health students from New College Swindon and Cirencester College who are marking their achievements today. Your hard work, compassion, and commitment to healthcare shine through, and we’re incredibly proud of everything you’ve accomplished.👏🏼💙

We’re delighted to continue to be a host organisation for T-Level placements. A special thank you goes to our Voluntary Services team, who support and host the majority of these placements - your dedication makes an enormous difference to the student experience.

And to all our wards, departments, supervisors, and mentors across the hospital, thank you for welcoming students, sharing your expertise, and helping shape the future NHS workforce.

These learners bring fresh energy, curiosity, and passion to our hospital. We can’t wait to see where their careers take them.💙

10/07/2026

Butterfly (End Of Life) Volunteers play a vital role in bringing comfort and human connection to patients at the end of life as well as to their family members.

During 2025 our Butterfly Volunteers supported 397 patients who were at the end of their life and a further 395 people who were friends or family member of end-of-life patients.

What our Butterfly Volunteers do:
• Sit quietly with someone who is dying, offering them companionship
• Chat, read aloud, or simply be a reassuring presence
• Support families by listening, signposting or helping them understand what might be happening
• Be there when someone has no visitors, or when families need a break

You don’t need medical training. You just need time, compassion, and the ability to be present with someone who may be nearing the end of their life.

Our Butterfly Volunteer service is delivered in partnership with our End of Life and Palliative Care Teams, Voluntary Services together with the Anne Robson Trust

Learn new skills:
As a Butterfly Volunteer you will have full access to educational training with experienced professionals prior to seeing patients. This includes guidance on communication, and a clear understanding of the dying process, and how to support families and other visitors.

No previous experience is required, you just need time, compassion, and the ability to be present with someone who may be nearing the end of their life.

To fill out an application, please click the following link: https://bttr.im/x40xd and put the reason why you feel you would like to be a Butterfly Volunteer in the “Please explain why you wish to become a hospital volunteer?” section.

Applications will close on Wednesday 15th July at 4:00pm.

If you have any questions or require further information, please get back in touch.

We wish you the very best of luck with your application!
Voluntary Services Team

08/07/2026

Would you like to be a Cancer Buddy?

We are looking for kind and compassionate individuals to join our Cancer Buddy Team at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to help us deliver dedicated one-to-one support for patients receiving treatment for cancer.

As a Cancer Buddy Volunteer you will offer a listening ear, emotional encouragement and friendly companionship to patients at what will often be a particularly challenging time in their lives.

Cancer Buddies have a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of patients undergoing treatment and the support they provide can make a positive difference to the experience our patients have.

It is a requirement of the role that you have received treatment for cancer or have cared for someone with cancer within the last five years. Full training as well as regular ongoing support is provided.

To complete an application*, please click the following link: https://bttr.im/x40xd

*when completing the online form, please ensure that you state the reasons why you feel you would like to be a Cancer Buddy Volunteer and how you meet the criteria to apply in the 'Please explain why you wish to become a hospital volunteer?' section.

Applications will close on Wednesday 15th July at 4:00pm.

If you have any questions or require further information, please get back in touch.

We wish you the very best of luck with your application!
Voluntary Services Team

06/07/2026

Have you got some free time and would you like to help support Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?

Volunteering at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an ideal opportunity to try something new while helping people in your community.

Why is volunteering important?
As well as helping others, volunteering has been shown to improve volunteers' wellbeing too.

It's human nature to feel good after helping someone. Volunteering can also help you gain valuable new skills and experiences, as well as boost your confidence. The benefits of volunteering are clear: improved physical and mental health, new friendships, reduced loneliness, a greater sense of purpose, and increased self-confidence. In turn, all of these things can help to improve your overall happiness – a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Volunteering is incredibly rewarding. The benefits are clear, but it's important to enjoy it too!

Join our Volunteer Team

We are currently recruiting Trust Volunteers, so why not come and join our friendly team? Applications are now open!

We have a wide range of opportunities available in both patient-facing and non-patient-facing roles. This month, we are also recruiting for specialist roles, including Cancer Buddies and Butterfly Volunteers. You can find out more about these roles later this week.

We have a duty to recruit and place our volunteers in a way that ensures safety for everyone involved. Therefore, we welcome applications from individuals who are 16 years of age or over and can commit to a minimum of three hours per week for at least six months.

To find out more and complete an application form, please click the following link:

https://bttr.im/x40xd

Applications will close on Wednesday 15th July at 4:00pm.

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

We wish you the very best of luck with your application!

Voluntary Services Team

07/06/2026

As National Volunteers' Week draws to a close for another year, Voluntary Service Coordinators, Leanne and Tanya, reflect on how we have used this past week as an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the amazing contribution made from our Team of Volunteers at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust!

07/06/2026

Meryl

“At first, I wanted to gain some skills for my resume, so I decided I would try out volunteering at the hospital. In my role as a Patient Befriender, I’ve discovered that every day is different, and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting people from many different backgrounds.

I like how even the smallest helps and considerations we give can be very beneficial, such as stocking up on the glove compartment or talking to patients to make their day at the hospital even a bit more welcoming.

Through volunteering, I could also see how hardworking and resilient everyone is, from the NHS staff to the cleaners. I like how my role teaches me something new about people; it keeps me focused on what is important, such as building trust, compassion for one another, and responsibility of care.

I think the hospital is a great place to volunteer, with many roles and wards to try out, even if you are not entirely sure where to start or how to find the wards at first!”

06/06/2026

🎉Celebrating Our Incredible GWH Trust Volunteers!🎉

National Volunteers' Week not only provides us with an opportunity to show our appreciation and acknowledge the dedication, kindness and commitment of ALL our Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Volunteers but each year we also recognise those Volunteers who have given 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and even 30 Years of service.

In recognition of these amazing achievements, we present each Volunteer Long Service Award recipient with a framed certificate, a badge and a gift of appreciation.

🌟Our Volunteer Long Service Awards for 2026🌟

5 Years Voluntary Service
Gill Brett, Dave Ewart, Debbie Gentleman, Lara Goddard, Steve Goodrick, Gill Gordon, Natalie Griffiths, James Jary, Alison Kearsey, Ian Kearsey, Sue Marshall, Teresa Paget, Mandie Pook, Gail Sudlow and Brinda Warr

10 Years Voluntary Service
Amanda Akehurst, John Crowley, Michael Durham and Mary Reeve

15 Years Voluntary Service
Maurice Cleary, Richard Hemingway and Mandy Tidbury

We also have a special recognition award this year which we are presenting Glynn Hopkins for 30 Years of Voluntary Service that he has given to Hospital Radio Swindon!

Thank you and a HUGE congratulations to all recipients!

It is important to us that our Volunteers have a positive experience when giving their support to our Trust. We want them to be proud of the difference they make and for the time they spend to be inspiring, fulfilling and worthwhile.

If you have a story about a GWH Volunteer that you would like to share why not drop us a comment below.

06/06/2026

Have you got some free time and would you like to help support the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?

Volunteering at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an ideal opportunity for you to try something new whilst helping people in your community.

Volunteering is incredibly worthwhile; the benefits are clear but it's important to enjoy it too! We have a lots of different opportunities available in patient facing and non-patient facing roles.

We have a duty to recruit and place our Volunteers in a way that ensures safety for all concerned so we welcome applicants who are over 16 years of age and can commit to a minimum of three hours a week for at least six months.

To find out more about the opportunities available please pick up a copy of our 'Voluntary Services Matters' booklet if you are in the hospital - or you can read an e-copy by clicking on this link: https://myebook.com/SmilePublications/swindon/5769/

If you are interested in joining our Team of Volunteers you have just two more chances to do so this year*. Our applications for New Volunteers will be open between:

- Monday 6th July from 9:00am > Wednesday 15th July until 4:00pm
- Monday 7th September from 9:00am > Wednesday 16th September until 4:00pm

*We always post on Facebook when we are recruiting and the post will include a link to our online application form.

If you have any questions or require further information please get in touch!
Voluntary Services GWH

05/06/2026

Matt

“I have tried volunteering at many different places over my life, but here at the hospital I really feel like I’m making a difference. I started volunteering at the hospital because I wanted to give back to the NHS for all the times I’ve needed scans and tests for various reasons over the years. I remember that the NHS staff have always been so helpful and kind.

I started volunteering on a ward but felt that this wasn’t quite right for me. I was then told about the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) and instantly enjoyed the role of a Volunteer there – so much so that I now do two shifts a week.

The staff are so busy, with many people coming into the hospital for attention, and it’s a pleasure to help the nurses and the general public. I spend most of my time greeting people and showing them towards the Clinical Navigator, or, if they are there to see a patient, directing them to the right department.

Each shift is slightly different, and I learn more about the hospital every time. Sometimes patients need assistance getting to certain places, which the nurses would usually do but don’t always have time for because they are so busy. I’m happy to help, as I can give the patient a better experience at the hospital and also allow the staff to attend to the next person.

The staff on the UTC are so friendly and kind – it’s an absolute pleasure to volunteer there and assist in any way that I can.”