Volunteering

 

Volunteer Activity

---

• End-of-year total: 101 volunteers (96 active, 5 onboarding)
• New Volunteers in 2024/25: 48
• Total hours contributed: 10,544. 
• Equivalent Monetary Value: £120,618.78 (based on National Living Wage at £11.44 per hour)
   

Volunteers supported services across Mental Health, Forensic, Community Health, and corporate teams, with steady activity across all Care Groups:

• Mental Health Care Group - Avg. 32.9 roles/month
• Forensic Care Group - Avg. 39.2 roles a month
• Community Health & Specialist Services - Average. 21.5 roles a month 
• Corporate Services - Average 8.6 roles a month 

 

Demographic information 

---

Our volunteer community spans a wide range of ages, with the 20% coming from the 46-60 age group. The ethnicity data shows that 74% are White British with 5% from Asian backgrounds and 8% from black backgrounds. Inclusive recruitment continues to be a key focus for our approach, and we will be working closely with the NHS England Volunteer Portal, local community and voluntary sector organisations and Universities and Colleges over the next year to grow the number and diversity of volunteers giving their time, skills and knowledge to the Trust.  

Twenty percent of volunteers have identified as having a disability or long-term condition, and we ensure they are supported through reasonable adjustments. Volunteers come from a variety of religious backgrounds, with Christianity, at 57%, being the most reported, although some chose not to disclose. In terms of sexual orientation, most volunteers, 95%, identify as heterosexual or straight. We support volunteers in bringing their full selves to the role, regardless of background or identity.

 

How are Volunteers making a difference to services, patients and their families

---

For many patients, especially those in long-term or isolated settings, our volunteers provide a vital connection to the outside world. Their presence brings companionship, conversation, and emotional support-often becoming the highlight of a patient's week.

Volunteer Visitors play a key role in reducing loneliness, lifting mood, and supporting recovery. Their consistent visits help build trust and meaningful relationships. One volunteer has even continued supporting a patient after discharge into hospice care, visiting twice a week and calling daily, offering remarkable continuity and compassion.

Care Dog Volunteers bring a unique therapeutic benefit. The calming, non-judgemental presence of a dog helps patients relax, regulate emotions, and open up in ways that can be difficult with people alone. One patient, previously non-verbal, said their first word, hello , to a Care Dog, marking a powerful moment of progress. In another case, a patient on 2:1 enhanced observation becomes noticeably calmer and more engaged during Care Dog visits. These sessions are now used intentionally to support therapeutic goals. Care Dogs have also helped de-escalate distress in seclusion areas, offering comfort in challenging situations. Occupational Therapists sometimes accompany Care Dog Volunteers during visits, using the relaxed setting to observe patients' movements and interactions-providing valuable insights for clinical assessments and planning.

In services like Long Covid, Pulmonary Rehab, and Working Age Dementia, we also have volunteers with lived experience of these conditions. Their ability to say 'I've been there' creates a deep sense of understanding and connection. This peer support often leads to quicker rapport, more honest conversations, and greater emotional impact. As one volunteer put it, 'I've been there, experienced that, got the yellow T-shirt'. Many of our Volunteer Visitors and Care Dog Volunteers describe a keen sense of purpose, fulfilment, and belonging. Being part of the team enhances their wellbeing, confidence, and connection to others.

Some volunteers are also patients or carers. For them, volunteering offers a valued identity beyond those roles, along with time to reconnect with themselves and others. This peer connection also benefits patients, who often find comfort and hope in speaking with someone who truly understands their journey. Volunteering can also be a springboard for development, many go on to paid work, further education, or new roles within the Trust. Others join us after retirement or bereavement, finding renewed purpose and connection through giving back.

Ward and unit staff often describe these volunteer roles as a breath of fresh air - not only do they support patient engagement, but they also give staff valuable reassurance that their patients are benefiting from meaningful interactions.  Staff feedback regularly includes phrases like, The volunteer makes such a difference to the ward atmosphere , or that the patients are more settled after a visit . Volunteers can also contribute to therapeutic goals, helping staff achieve care plan aims through informal social interaction, structured activities, or gentle support.

 

Volunteer and Involvement partner recognition

---

The Trust values the enormous contribution of Volunteers and Involvement Partners. We celebrated Volunteers' Week with thank-you events and personal messages of appreciation in June. Long-service awards recognise volunteers at 1, 5 and 10 years, with more milestones ahead (20 and 25 year volunteers on the horizon!)  

We were proud to take part in the 2023/24 OSCARS, the Trust's staff recognition awards. Volunteering-related activity saw twenty-five nominations, with 4 shortlisted entries, and an exciting win for the Mental Health Support Team CAMHS Involvement and Participation Champions - a real testament to the strength of our approach and the value placed on service user voice. The Youth Impact Board, made up of young advocates who are all registered Involvement Partners also won an OSCAR for their work championing the youth voice and their commitment to create positive change.