At Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust, volunteers are at the heart of everything it does. A dedicated team of 450+ individuals generously contribute over 1,350 hours each week, enriching patient care and enhancing the hospital experience. Spanning approximately 30 diverse roles, including patient support on wards, in the emergency department, and paediatrics, as well as administrative assistance, gardening, and more, volunteers play a vital role in supporting both staff and the wider community.

Beyond the practical benefits they bring, volunteering has a meaningful impact on wellbeing. Many volunteers speak of the friendships they’ve built, the sense of belonging they feel, and the fulfilment of giving back. Their commitment is truly invaluable, and the staff at the NHS trust are incredibly grateful for their time, energy, and compassion.

Dean Ratcliffe, a volunteer within the Emergency Department, explained:

“I have been volunteering for seven years and had jobs in finance and investments before, but this is the best job I have ever had! Seriously! You get to do something really useful, and I feel that the things I do really have a positive impact on people who are going through a tough time! I have been coming every week for seven years and that would not have been possible without the support of the charity. They even bought me a special uniform and the summer and Christmas parties are such an integral part of the volunteering experience.”

Kingston Hospital Charity plays a crucial role in sustaining and strengthening the volunteering programme. Through an annual grant, we provide essential funding that enables the volunteering team to maintain and expand the programme, ensuring volunteers have the support, training, and resources they need to make a real difference.

The annual grant allows the volunteering team to provide comprehensive support to its volunteers from the outset, delivering tailored buddy sessions that ease the burden on clinical colleagues while ensuring a consistent, high-quality induction experience. This structured approach enables volunteers to feel confident, valued, and fully integrated into their roles. Beyond onboarding, the team engages with the wider community to attract new applicants, conduct in-depth impact assessments to enhance volunteer contributions, and continuously identify new opportunities to further assist our clinical teams in delivering the best possible patient care.

By implementing structured local inductions within clinical areas, this has significantly enhanced the volunteer experience, particularly for new recruits. This initiative has led to a remarkable increase in volunteer retention rates, with 95% of new volunteers remaining beyond the six-month commitment threshold. Additionally, these structured inductions have alleviated the workload of clinical staff, saving approximately 1,500 hours over the past year.

Sharon McEwan, Deputy Head of Volunteering, expressed her appreciation for the charity’s ongoing support:

“Kingston Hospital Charity’s unwavering support has been fundamental in the development and enhancement of our volunteering programme. We extend our deepest gratitude to all supporters of Kingston Hospital Charity; it is through their generosity that we can continue to expand and enrich this vital programme.”

Volunteers are a cornerstone of Kingston Hospital, making a lasting difference to patients, families, and staff. It’s thanks to our supporters that we can continue to ensure they are provided with meaningful opportunities, while enhancing the care and experience for patients across the hospital and in the community.

For more information on volunteering opportunities at Kingston Hospital, or to learn how you can support our services, please contact krft.volunteering@nhs.net or call 0208 934 2549.