We are currently seeing an increase in norovirus (winter vomiting bug) at West Suffolk Hospital.
To keep everyone safe, please delay your visit if you have flu-like symptoms, Covid-19 or influenza, or if you have had diarrhoea or vomiting in the last 48 hours.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. People choose to volunteer for many reasons – to meet new people, use their spare time in a positive way, develop new skills or give something back after care they, their family or friends have received.
Discover what our volunteers love about their roles and why they choose to give their time.
We truly value the time our volunteers give. Your support helps our staff, patients and visitors, and makes a real difference to their experience at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
We offer a range of volunteer roles across both clinical and non-clinical areas of the hospital. If you’re interested in getting involved, explore the roles below to find out more.
Volunteer roles available
Direct contact with patients, providing support, companionship and a warm welcome.
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care – supporting chaplains in providing spiritual and emotional support.
Community Support – supporting group activities (e.g. Speech and Language Community Hub) and admin tasks.
Eye Treatment Centre – welcoming patients and supporting staff in eye clinics.
Information Desk – welcoming and directing patients and visitors on arrival.
Newmarket Community Hospital (patient support) – supporting patients in Rosemary Ward.
Outpatients Areas (Diabetes Centre, Dialysis Unit, Endoscopy, the Macmillan Information Centre, Macmillan Outpatients Reception, Pain & DVT Clinic, Pathology, the Pre-admission Unit, Radiology) – welcoming patients, running errands and escorting patients.
Pets as Therapy – bringing registered therapy dogs to visit patients.
Rainbow Children’s Ward – assisting ward and play specialist teams.
Treatment Units (AAU, Day Surgery, Macmillan Day, etc.) – providing non-clinical support to patients attending for treatment.
Ward Support – Discharge Waiting Area, Patient Flow – providing companionship and helping support bed flow.
End of Life Companion – sitting with patients at the end of life, offering comfort.
Wards – patient companionship, helping with meals and general non-nursing support (also at Newmarket Community Hospital and Maternity).
Roles that support hospital services or logistics, often behind the scenes.
Bleep Volunteers – collecting and delivering medication from pharmacy to departments.
General Support – includes admin roles, wheelchair volunteers, Patient Experience surveys, Patient Profiles, Future Systems engagement on the new hospital build.
Newmarket Community Hospital (operational support) – supporting chaplaincy visits and garden upkeep.
Supporting charity and fundraising activity that benefits West Suffolk Hospital.
My WiSH Charity – supporting with events, community fundraising, awareness stands and admin.
Friends of the West Suffolk Hospital Shop – supporting the shop and trolley service; fundraising for the hospital.
Improving the hospital environment for patients, visitors and staff.
Gardening – maintaining courtyard gardens at West Suffolk Hospital and Newmarket Community Hospital.
Interested in volunteering?
If you’d like to apply or talk to our volunteer services team about the roles available, please get in touch.
We can provide a printed application pack on request, including a large print version.
If you feel you may need any support with your application, we encourage you to get in touch with the volunteer services team. We will do our best to accommodate your needs and support you throughout the application process.
Free parking is provided for all volunteers.
Where to find us
The volunteer services office is in the main entrance at the front of West Suffolk Hospital and is open Monday to Friday, 8.00am - 4.30pm.
