Voluntary Services GWH, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Swindon (2026)

07/04/2026

Volunteer Placement Program – Summer / Autumn 2026

Are you looking to gain real NHS experience while making a genuine difference?

Our Summer / Autumn Volunteer Placement Program offers to anyone - but in particular students who are interested in healthcare - the chance to volunteer in a busy acute hospital environment, give support to our patients and staff, and gain up to 120 hours of experience across a variety of services.

Program dates: Monday 8th June – Friday 6th November 2026
(includes a scheduled two week break: 31 August – 11 September)

Commitment: one full weekday per week for 20 weeks in a 22 week period - this would need to be the same day each week.

This worthwhile opportunity will give you experience across 10 different volunteer roles and clinical areas, including wards, discharge, rehabilitation, outpatient, maternity and children’s services.

Who can apply?
Applicants must be at least 16 years old and able to commit for the full duration of the program. There are 50 volunteer placements available.

How to apply:
Apply by clicking here: https://bttr.im/elbwf
Applications close: Wednesday 15th April at 4:00pm

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted after Thursday 16th April.

Successful applicants will need to attend a Selection Evening on Wednesday 22 April, 5:00pm–7:00pm

This placement program is an inspiring, fulfilling, and worthwhile opportunity, designed to give anyone interested in a career in the NHS a valuable insight into a busy hospital while making a real difference.

Follow Voluntary Services GWH for updates and opportunities.

30/03/2026

We've had a lovely anonymous donation today of a hamper for our Pets As Therapy doggies!

We are so grateful for this kind gift, and I know our furry friends will be delighted too.

A very heartfelt thank you to the kind soul who put this together. We know just how impactful our Pets As Therapy visits are for patients and staff, so it's lovely for them to be recognised.

05/03/2026

Voluntary Services at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been honoured with a Pride Of Swindon Award!

At the 14th Pride Of Swindon Award Ceremony that took place today at the DoubleTree Hilton, four awards were presented to those who have made significant positive difference in Swindon's neighborhoods and communities.

Voluntary Services were presented with a 'Team' award. We are extremely pleased and proud to have received this award and we hope that our 552 Volunteers can share in how much it means to have this recognition. We cannot do what we do without the amazing and generous contribution of our Volunteers!

Voluntary Services Manager, Vickie Hayes, was joined by Volunteers Peter, Malkit, Steve, Barbara and Louie who accepted the award on behalf of our Team.

If you would like to apply to become a Volunteer and offer your time for the benefit of our patients and our staff, our applications are open until 11th March – please use this link: https://bttr.im/x40xd

The Pride Of Swindon Awards began in 2008 - more information can be found on Swindon Borough Council's website: https://www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20029/people_and_communities/1772/pride_of_swindon_awards_2026

Big big thanks to those who made today happen!

04/03/2026

We wanted to add our congratulations to the incredible achievement of colleagues Sharon, Mandi, Clair and Tracy who work in The Meadows at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

You all are truly wonderful for doing this, not only for braving what many of our patients experience but also for raising those essential funds to help improve the services our Trust can offer to those who are receiving treatment!

Each week Volunteers are on hand to enhance the support our staff provide to patients on their cancer journey. Some Volunteers have also been through a cancer journey themselves so this cause is very dear to our heart.

If you would like to apply to become a Volunteer and offer your time for the benefit of our patients and our staff, our applications are open until 11th March – please use this link: https://bttr.im/x40xd

If you would like to donate in recognition for what Sharon, Mandi, Clair and Tracy did, please visit their fundraising page Brighter Futures: https://brighterfutures.enthuse.com/pf/sharon-northwood-ea09f

02/03/2026

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 11th March at 4pm.

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

02/02/2026

Have you got some free time and would you like to help support the 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 11th February at 4pm.

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

05/01/2026

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 14th January at 4pm.

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

31/12/2025

Please consider for a moment the difference you could make if you were to volunteer 6 hours of your own time to provide some much needed help and support for a local cause.

Now think how much more you could do if you volunteered for 60 hours...
..what about 66,000 hours?

Collectively, our Team of Volunteers at the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have contributed over sixty six thousand hours of their time in 2025!

Completed in more than 18,500 volunteer shifts, this staggering donation has been gifted by hundreds of kind, willing and generous individuals who have each made the commitment to give their time to benefit others.

Our Team of Volunteers are truly amazing and we just want to say THANK YOU. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! 😊

Would you be interested in becoming a Volunteer in 2026? Please look out for our post next week containing details for how to apply!

19/12/2025

🎄This week, eight of our Pets As Therapy (PAT) volunteers have been getting into the festive spirit. 🎄

Bonnie, George, Luna, Molly, Pippin, Popcorn, Retro and Treacle have been spreading festivities across our Trust with their visits. 🐕

Our PAT dogs brings happiness and many smiles to everyone around the hospital. If you have a dog with a great temperament and are interested in joining our amazing team, please revisit our page on Monday 5th January to find out more information on how to apply! 💚💙

01/12/2025

Over the next few weeks - or until stocks last - we will again be selling a selection of our Festive Chocolate Orange Covers (Chocolate Orange included), Mini Stocking Tree Decorations, Knitted Gonks, Christmas Stockings and lots of other delightful goodies. All items have been made and donated by our Volunteers!

All proceeds from the sale of these items will benefit the Voluntary Services' Charitable Funds account. These funds are used to pay for things such as our Volunteer Recognition Awards, our Volunteer Christmas Lunch as well as those essential refreshments that keep our Volunteers going during their shifts!

We are also selling raffle tickets for this year's Brighter Futures Winter Raffle. Don’t miss out - they have five cash prizes to be won including a 1st Prize of £1000!!! Tickets cost £1.00 each.

Please note that we can accept payment for our Winter Sale items and Brighter Futures Winter Raffle Tickets with cash or card.

The Voluntary Services Hub will be open for sales from Monday to Friday between 10:00am and 4:00pm.

You can find the Voluntary Services Hub on the Lower Ground Floor of the Brunel Treatment Centre opposite Cafe Blue.

30/11/2025

❤️

25/10/2025

Volunteers of Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have returned to the Swindon Intermediate Care Centre (SwICC)!

HCRG Care Group took charge of the services and management of the SwICC building - which is located on the hospital site - in April this year and as a result, sadly our Volunteers were no longer permitted to offer their help there.

Volunteer feedback after visiting SwICC was frequently positive and so often came from the immediate feeling that the time they spent in support of patients and staff in SwICC had been rewarding and worthwhile. Knowing just how much our Volunteers appreciated this placement opportunity, we explored what could be done to allow them back again.

Last month an agreement was reached through a Memorandum Of Understanding between our Trust and the HCRG Care Group which granted permission for our Volunteers to return!

Vanessa LeMenager, Matron of SwICC has this to say:
"HCRG Care Group are so pleased to welcome our wonderful Volunteers back to SwICC. Their support means so much to us, and we truly value everything they do.

They help with meals, chat with patients, keep people company, restock supplies, and always bring a big smile. These small acts make a huge difference, not only to our patients but also to our busy teams, who are so grateful for the extra support.

Our Volunteers are an important part of the SwICC family, and we couldn’t do it without them. Thank you for the time, kindness, and energy you bring with you each day – you really are invaluable."

In addition to providing assistance on both Forest and Orchard Wards, Volunteers also help staff to deliver physiotherapy and rehabilitation to patients in the purpose-built gymnasium. Returning Volunteer, Chris and 'new-to-SwICC' Volunteer, Michael, both give their time each week in SwICC to support the physio teams.

Thank you so much to everyone who made this happen! 🥰

We will be recruiting again in February 2026, so if you are interested in joining our Team of Volunteers please keep a look out for our posts!

Voluntary Services GWH

07/04/2026

30/03/2026

05/03/2026

04/03/2026

02/03/2026

02/02/2026

05/01/2026

31/12/2025

19/12/2025

01/12/2025

30/11/2025

25/10/2025

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