Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Volunteers

09/06/2026

Lovely to see how volunteers are making a real impact on research at Jessop Wing Maternity.

Sheffield Hospitals Charity

08/06/2026

If you missed the Saturday Soundtrack on Sheffield Hospital Radio, you can listen again on their page and hear Emma and Chris from the Volunteers Team talk about the wonderful work of volunteers at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Volunteering at STH is funded by supporters of Sheffield Hospitals Charity

08/06/2026

Friday night was our Volunteer Celebration Event for all volunteers at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

It was a lovely evening and a chance for us to say a big thank you during Volunteers' Week

Thanks also to Sheffield Hospitals Charity for providing the funding for the volunteer programme, which allows us to put on events like these.

07/06/2026

That's a wrap on Volunteers' Week 2026.

A massive thank you to all our volunteers at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

We'll end on this quote from Elizabeth Andrew ;

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart.”

Sheffield Hospitals Charity

07/06/2026

For our final case study of Volunteers' Week, here's Jonathan...

Jonathan began volunteering in January 2026 as an Active Response volunteer which involves helping a broad range of departments with a variety of tasks including taking notes to and from medical records; taking samples to the lab; asking patients their choices for lunch; helping out at the discharge lounge; making teas and coffees for patients waiting for emergency treatment, picking up prescriptions from the pharmacy, taking urgent blood samples to the labs, carrying out surveys and providing companionship to patients.

Outside of volunteering Jonathan has recently become a governor at a local primary school and tutors pupils in maths. He enjoys fitness classes, swimming and is a keen member of a local running club.

Why did you choose to become a volunteer?

I retired from teaching 5 years ago at the age of 58, but I still felt I had more to give, so becoming a volunteer two mornings a week has given me a chance do exactly that.

What do you enjoy about the role?

I enjoy the variety of tasks my role involves, there’s always so much to do, so I never get bored!

Volunteering has made a big difference to my life. After retiring I had a big void in my life and I struggled mentally to make the adjustment from being busy all the time to having nothing much to do. Coming to the Northern General twice a week gives me something to look forward to and meeting so many appreciative staff, patients and visitors makes it very rewarding! We generally carry out our duties in pairs and so I have also made many new friends.

Volunteering has given me more job satisfaction than any paid work I did in the 42 years up to my retirement!

What’s the best thing about volunteering?

The best thing is getting so many words of gratitude and appreciation throughout the morning and I always go home feeling I’ve made a difference to people’s day.

Would you recommend volunteering to others?

Definitely. You need to be able to work in a team and have empathy, positivity, adaptability and a positive attitude. If you want to do something that will benefit others as well as yourself try volunteering and definitely give active responding a go…..you won’t regret it!

Volunteering at STH is generously supported by Sheffield Hospitals Charity

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

06/06/2026

Another case study today as part of our Volunteers' Week celebrations. Here is Ghazal...

Ghazal volunteered with us for a year and a half as part of our partnership with the ReSTORE programme, a structured, NHS programme for refugees with a nursing or midwifery background in their country of origin to become nurses and nurse associates.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals provides volunteering opportunities for individuals on the ReSTORE programme to experience the hospital environment in the UK and develop language skills.

Ghazal volunteered as a Welcomer at the Northern General Hospital where she greeted patients and visitors, helping them get around the hospital.

Why did you want to volunteer?

“Why did you choose to become a volunteer? I wanted to give something back to the community and build my confidence in speaking to people. I also saw volunteering as a good opportunity to challenge myself in a supportive environment.”

What are the benefits of volunteering?

“I really enjoy meeting different people and being part of a kind and supportive team.

At first I lacked confidence, but support from other volunteers helped me build confidence step by step. Now I feel comfortable starting conversations in new situations.

It has helped me become more confident and gives me a sense of purpose.
Small interactions can make patients feel more comfortable and less stressed.”

Would you recommend volunteering to others?

“Yes, absolutely. You need kindness, patience, communication skills, willingness to learn. It’s normal to feel nervous at the beginning. With time, you find your feet. The supervisors are very supportive and always helpful.”

Volunteering at STH is generously supported by Sheffield Hospitals Charity

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

05/06/2026

Tune in to Sheffield Hospital Radio tomorrow morning from 10:00-12:00 to hear us talking all things volunteering!
https://www.sheffieldhospitalradio.co.uk/

🎙️ This Saturday on Michael Harper’s Saturday Soundtrack! 🎶

As part of Volunteers’ Week, Michael is joined by special guests Chris Ley and Emma Scott from the Voluntary Services Team to celebrate the incredible volunteers who make a difference across our hospitals every single day.

From welcoming patients and visitors to supporting staff and enhancing the patient experience, volunteers play a vital role – and this week we’re shining a spotlight on their amazing contribution.

📻 Tune in to Sheffield Hospital Radio
🗓️ Saturday
⏰ 10am – 12pm

Enjoy great music, great company, and inspiring stories from some of the people helping to make our hospitals a better place.

Mahmud Nawaz Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

05/06/2026

Tonight is our Volunteer Celebration Event, taking place in Volunteer's Week, and we'll be celebrating all the wonderful work of our 389 volunteers here at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

It's all about enhancing the experience for patients and visitors, as well as supporting staff, but here are some impressive numbers too...

Volunteering at STH is generously supported by Sheffield Hospitals Charity

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

04/06/2026

Congratulations to volunteer Keith who was presented with this wonderful hamper from Sheffield Hospitals Charity for his help with a recent project.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

04/06/2026

Time for another volunteer to take the spotlight in Volunteers' Week. This time it's Layan...

Layan started volunteering in December 2025 as part of our Team Impact programme for young volunteers. She completed 60 hours of volunteering in the MSK (Musculoskeletal) Outpatients Department where her role involved helping patients check in and find their way around the department, providing light refreshments and helping patients and visitors feel at ease, running errands for staff and restocking equipment.

Why did you want to volunteer?

“I’m a year 12 student currently at school studying for my A-levels. I wanted to volunteer as I’m quite interested in studying medicine in the future in order to become a doctor. I applied to volunteer as I know that in order to become a doctor it’s crucial to obtain key skills such as communication and teamwork which I knew I could learn while volunteering, as hospitals often have multidisciplinary teams which need to work together to facilitate things.”

What are the benefits of volunteering?

“Volunteering has improved my communication and confidence skills massively. It has become natural to me to talk to other people without being nervous and allow myself to help them. I have also learnt how to be prepared in any scenario such as an emergency happening and having to go to the pharmacy and picking up medicine for the patient. Overall volunteering has taught me the importance of having these skills and building upon them to be more confident.”

Would you recommend volunteering to others?

“I would recommend volunteering to others as I have built up my confidence and key skills which will benefit me in the future and it has contributed to my aspirations of studying medicine.”

Volunteering at STH is generously supported by Sheffield Hospitals Charity

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust