There are many varied volunteering roles with SASH. The list of roles below is not exhaustive however it highlights the key volunteering opportunities available at our trust.
Recruitment takes place three times per year in September, January, and May. Please note however that we may advertise for specific opportunities in between these dates.
For further information about volunteer opportunities at SASH please email sash.volunteers@nhs.net or phone Joy Matthews, volunteers manager, on 01737768511 x2438
The hospital welcomes applications from under -represented groups including those with support needs.
Ward assistant
This role predominantly includes assisting patients at meal times, generally supporting nursing staff with bed making, tidying linen cupboard, changing water jugs, chatting to patients and may also include helping the ward clerk with photocopying, answering the telephone, collecting and delivering post and other items around the hospital as requested.
East Surrey Hospital trolley volunteers
Attending the hospital on either a Monday or Thursday or Friday afternoon after stocking the trolley, two volunteers will then visit most wards within the hospital selling sweets, toiletries, drinks etc. to patients, visitors and staff.
Information desk volunteers
Main Entrance – assisting the reception staff with general enquiries from visitors, patients and staff by directing them to clinics, wards, patient transport, car parking machines, telephones etc. and assisting as much as possible in a friendly, calm and efficient manner to ensure that their experience is the best it possibly can be in the circumstances. IT skills are required.
East Entrance volunteers work without staff and perform a very similar role, but may refer to the staff at the main entrance if necessary – no IT skills are required.
Administration roles
Many volunteers help our staff behind the scenes, mainly medical secretaries with filing, filling envelopes, photocopying, answering the telephone, tracking notes, returning notes to our medical records department and many other tasks that are vital for the smooth running of our hospital and ensuring the consultant, patients and their GPs are kept fully informed.
Bereavement Service Volunteer provides admin support to the bereavement service. This involves answering the phone and taking messages, welcoming members of the public when they come into the office, and many other administration tasks.
Employee Relations Volunteer is one of our administration roles within head office. Volunteer responsibilities include putting together management statements of cases, arranging and taking notes at meetings, disposing of old ER cases, as well as many other duties. Other administration opportunities in head office include workforce and recruitment.
Volunteer Support for Macmillan Breast Clinical Nurse Specialists is based within the breast department providing administrative support to the Macmillan Breast Clinical Nurse Specialists. This primarily involves answering the telephone and taking messages, providing basic signposting over the telephone, sending out leaflets, and data imputing.
Administration roles may be particularly beneficial for those wishing to return to employment in the future. For further information on how volunteering can help you return to work please see our success stories.
Gardeners
We have many courtyard gardens and other outside public areas that require attention and continuous maintenance and upkeep. We are very fortunate to have just a few but amazing volunteers who have made such a great difference to these areas with their hard work and dedication. They regularly attend to plant, prune, sweep and weed in all weathers.
Community fundraising volunteer
This role consists of leading the collection tin activity for SASH Charity, placing tins in local cafes, shops etc. Every 2-3 months you will collect the full tins and replace them with new ones, returning the funds to East Surrey Hospital. You also have the opportunity to support other varied community fundraising activity such as delivering posters to your local businesses and distributing leaflets.
This is an exciting opportunity to develop relationships with your local shops, businesses, and other organisations in order to promote SASH charity and encourage fundraising through the use of collection tins in their establishment.
East Surrey Macmillan Cancer Support Centre
The cancer support centre offers those affected by cancer additional holistic care in a friendly, informal and non-clinical environment. Whether you are a patient, carer, family member or friend, we provide a welcoming atmosphere where you can get practical advice, emotional support or simply a listening ear, at any stage of your cancer experience.
If you would like to volunteer at the East Surrey Macmillan Cancer Support Centre please contact Lesley Aldridge centre manager on 01737 768511 x 2078 or email informationcentre.sash@nhs.net for more information.
Opportunities exist for qualified therapists, counsellors and coaches.
SASH Charity
SASH Charity supports SASH to enhance the care that patients receive. Your support as a fundraising volunteer would help us to provide state of the art equipment, improve the hospital environment, provide specialist training and support ground breaking health research. For details of SASH Charity volunteer opportunities please visit: www.sashcharity.org/volunteer
Corporate opportunities
If you work for a business and are looking for ways to promote bonding and collaboration within your teams then why not give volunteering a go! A day volunteering with us can act as a brilliant team building activity that is not only cost effective for you but can really make a difference to patients and their families. A recent example which highlights the work you could be doing is from a lovely team at Gatwick airport who volunteered helping with our gardens. We heard great feedback, both from them about their experience, as well as from staff on their contribution. If you are interested in arranging a similar volunteering opportunity for your organisation then please refer to the contact details above.
For more information on our volunteering opportunities check out our Facebook page at SASH Volunteering.
