Volunteer Coordinator - Volunteering for Health

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

The role of the volunteer coordinator will sit in the UHS voluntary services team leading on the UHS project “What Matters To Me”.

What Matters To Me is a patient focused initiative that has the aim to increase the wellbeing of the patients by engaging them in conversation about subjects other than their reason for being in hospital. This is largely a volunteer led project although there is ongoing exploration in how to increase staff involvement with volunteer support.

This project is a commitment that UHS has made to an overarching partnership between different care providers and third sector voluntary organisations.

Short Term Funding Has Been Awarded Through a Volunteering For Health Grant, With The Requirement To Work Toward The Following Objectives As a Partnership

• Develop a standardised volunteer passporting system across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight NHS Trusts and VCSE organisations
• Increasing the diversity of volunteers by engaging volunteers from different VCSE organisations and connecting them with health services
• Strengthening mutual recognition and integration of health volunteers across community and healthcare settings
• A HIOW wide recruitment campaign that reframes volunteering as communities supporting communities
  
  

Working for our organisation

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Successfully coordinating interview provision, between volunteers, coordinator/s or Voluntary Services Manager (VSM) and negotiating or agreeing volunteer placements upon interview.

Working with volunteer managers/coordinators across the trust and beyond, to support the inclusive placement of volunteers helping people from varying backgrounds, ages or abilities to gain knowledge, self-confidence and/or become work ready.

Coordinate the scheduling of & deliver induction or further training for volunteers in conjunction with the team/VSM. Ensuring compliance with all training requirements, through the proactive use of system generated reminders and maintaining accurate training records on the database.

Support voluntary organisations internally to UHS, through attendance at meetings or through regular communications, providing support on arising issues or challenges from the delivery of volunteer-led services and escalating/resolving concerns appropriately.

Elements of the role related to the Communities Action Health Together (CHAT) Partnership can be seen in the supporting document.

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Person specification

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

Essential criteria

• Education to degree level or equivalent
• Experience of managing or coordinating volunteers in health or in the voluntary sector
• Knowledge and experience of volunteer recruitment processes and administration
• Knowledge and experience of working in or with the voluntary sector, understanding the benefits and challenges of using volunteers
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Qualification in Volunteer Management – relevant degree or equivalent experience.
• Train the trainer qualification
• Experience working external organisations, agencies, and stakeholders in planning and delivering services and support
• Experience of service delivery in the health and care sector