Key milestones
Our key milestones that volunteering will focus on over the next 3 years are in line with priority developments across NHS Golden Jubilee:
- Continued recovery plan for volunteering
- Golden Jubilee University National Hospital Surgical Centre (Phase 2 expansion)Partnership working models (e.g. NHS Scotland Academy and Erskine supporting veterans transition from armed forces to civilian life)
- Diversity in volunteering (e.g. engaging young people in volunteering)
1. Diversity and inclusion
Our vision is to enable flexibility in volunteering throughout the day and evening giving those who wish to volunteer the opportunity to do so.
We promote diversity and inclusion in volunteering, striving to be flexible to maximise opportunities for volunteers.
Volunteering in healthcare brings knowledge, skills and a lived experience that contributes to enhancing the patient experience. We are very appreciative of volunteers who give their free time to enhance the patient experience. Feedback from volunteers tells us that this is mutually beneficial.
Valuing and appreciating the role of volunteers will strengthen current volunteer roles and generate new volunteering opportunities within the Hospital.
The Volunteer Services Manager plays a crucial role in volunteer retention and development of new volunteering opportunities.
To accomplish these aims, we must work in partnership with our third sector partners to encourage diversity and inclusion in our volunteer services (e.g. West Dunbartonshire Community and Volunteering Services, Royal National Institute for Deaf People, Volunteer Scotland and Health Improvement Scotland).
2. Identifying the need for volunteers
Our vision is to have more diversity in our volunteer groups across a wide range of volunteering opportunities.
We will continue to identify the need for volunteers in partnership with services.
Volunteering needs to reflect our diverse society and ensure inclusion. We will look for creative ways to engage people from all sectors of society who wish to volunteer. This includes recognising the role of young people in volunteering and re-engaging with local schools to make this as easy as possible.
We recognise that volunteers are here to enhance the experience of our patients. Volunteers will not be required to carry out duties essential to patient safety or service delivery.
We ensure that all volunteers receive travel expenses and have access to health and wellbeing services (e.g. Employee Assistance Programme, local and national Health and Wellbeing Hub).
3. Volunteer learning and development
Our vision is to offer and support volunteers with opportunities for life-long learning and a positive experience of volunteering.
We recognise that volunteers will come to us for various reasons. Therefore volunteering at the NHS Golden Jubilee needs to be meaningful, purposeful and appropriate for our volunteers.
We acknowledge the lived experience of volunteers and how their knowledge and skills can be used in future learning and development.
We will carry out a needs assessment to determine what learning and development each volunteer needs within their role(s).
As well as mandatory training as part of their induction (e.g. Fire Awareness, Hand Hygiene), we encourage all volunteers to engage in free learning and development opportunities that are offered across the organisation.
4. Evaluation of their experience
Our vision is to work with the Board, staff and services, volunteers, other stakeholders in reviewing current roles and developing new roles within the organisation.
Volunteers are valued and appreciated for the volunteering that they do within NHS Golden Jubilee.
Giving volunteers the opportunity to share their experience of volunteering will help us enhance their experience.
We will engage with volunteers in reviewing current roles and the development of new volunteer roles within NHS Golden Jubilee.
