Job summary

Make a difference when it matters the most. Bolton HNS Foundation Trust are looking for Emergency Department Volunteers who can Volunteer between 8am -8pm, Monday to Sunday.

Could a simple conversation change someone's day?

For patients and families arriving in our Emergency Department, it can be one of the most stressful moments of their lives. They may be anxious, worried, in pain, or simply unsure of what happens next.

That's where you come in.

We are looking for caring, compassionate and reliable volunteersaged 18 or overto join our Emergency Department team and help create a welcoming, supportive environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Whether you're offering reassurance to a worried relative, helping someone find their way or supporting our teams with practical tasks, your presence can make a genuine difference to someone's experience of care.

This is a rewarding opportunity to give your time when it matters most. We're looking for people who are approachable, patient, dependable and genuinely want to help others.

In return, you'll meet a wide range of people, develop valuable communication skills, gain insight into the NHS and become part of a supportive team.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

As an Emergency Department Volunteer, you will provide friendly, practical and non-clinical support to patients, relatives, visitors and staff.

• Welcoming patients and visitors to the Emergency Department and helping them feel comfortable

• Providing a friendly face, a listening ear and reassurance to patients and relatives who may be anxious or worried

• Supporting people who may be unsure where they need to go or what they need to do next.

• Providing practical support to patients and visitors within the boundaries of the volunteer role.

• Helping maintain a calm, welcoming and supportive environment.

• Recognising when someone may need additional assistance and alerting an appropriate member of staff.

• Provide refreshments for patients and visitors within our majors department and main waiting area

• Help with appropriate non-clinical tasks that support the smooth running of the department

• Maintaining patient confidentiality and respecting the privacy, dignity and individual needs of everyone you meet.

• Spend time talking to patients, particularly patients who have attended alone, to make the patients feel more relaxed and comforted during their ED attendance.

• Help with the collection of patient feedback survey.

Details

• Date posted: 02 November 2026
• Closing date: 08 November 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 2
• Salary: Depending on experience Depending on experience No Salary - Volunteer Positions
• Contract: Voluntary
• Working pattern: Part-time
• Reference number: 241-Volunteers-ED26
• Job locations: Royal Bolton Hospital, Minerva Road, Bolton, BL4 0JR, United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be required to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the desire to volunteer in a patient focussed environment. You will also need to have good organisational skills, with the ability to deal sensitively and confidently with people face to face.

You must be resilient you will see patients in the hospital who will be distressed and in pain some people can find this distressing strong people skills and resilience are a must

Applicants must be age 18 years and over and as we require our volunteer workforce to represent the demographics and reflect the population we serve within the Bolton area, so we have a restriction of a 10 mile radius.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

• Communication

Desirable

• Friendly

Personal Ability

Essential

• Flexible

Desirable

• Solo and Team Working

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

About us

We know we can provide you with a great place to volunteer, alongside fantastic teams who are all pulling together to give the people of Bolton the best care possible.

The aims of this Trust are to improve the health of our people and provide the best possible care to the population in which we serve and ensure that our staff have joy and pride in their work.

We are striving to recruit volunteers that reflects the communities in which we serve. Staff and volunteers are valued and we can offer excellent opportunities for further training and development.

Employer details

• Employer name: Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
• Address: Royal Bolton Hospital, Minerva Road, Bolton, BL4 0JR, United Kingdom
• Employer's website: http://www.boltonft.nhs.uk/