Reimagining Healthcare Volunteering
The NHS stands at a crossroads, facing acute workforce shortages, productivity gaps, and widening health inequalities. Yet, we are not maximising an extraordinary, largely untapped resource: volunteers.We cannot solve these challenges by doing more of the same and we know that no single magic bullet will solve the problems. But volunteering can be part of the solution – and a significant one at that. So, we propose Volunteering 2.0 to increase NHS capacity, reduce staff burnout, achieve substantial cost savings, and strengthen neighbourhood health.
Launching our calls to action
Everyone invested in our NHS wants to use all possible resources to fix it. That’s why at a reception in the House of Commons on 05th February ‘26, we brought together distinguished speakers and guests to explore how the healthcare and VCSE sectors, as well as policymakers and funders, can play their full role in transforming the impact of volunteers.
We also launched our landmark report, 'Reimagining Healthcare Volunteering'.
'Reimagining Healthcare Volunteering' calls on NHS leaders and local authorities to commit to a step-change in seeing volunteers as partners in healthcare delivery.
What we are calling for
We know what's possible. With real-word examples, our report demonstrates that when volunteers are embedded into core NHS operations - rather than operating on the periphery - they become a strategic asset that strengthens patient flow, releases clinical capacity, and improves workforce sustainability.
We call on healthcare organisations to build up their healthcare volunteering services based on four pillars:
Integration
Embedding volunteers within core operations as critical assets
Innovation
Reframing volunteering to overcome workforce, productivity, and healthcare access challenges
Inclusion
Ensuring volunteering reflects communities, expands care, and opens careers
Impact
Implementing standardised measurement frameworks aligned to NHS priorities.
As the NHS reshapes operating models and strengthens neighbourhood care, volunteering must be viewed as a strategic imperative, not an afterthought
Sir Jim Mackey, NHS England CEO
Volunteers who are transforming care
"One of the primary aims of our scheme is to try and ensure that discharges happen quickly. Delayed discharges are a major issue. There was one evening when I was asked to take a patient to another hospital an hour away. The hospital transport couldn't get there until 10 o'clock. That would have meant four extra hours waiting for a bed. I was glad I could step in."
"Seeing the faces on the patients, how they are happy after doing crafting, and watching them grow more confident in talking - it makes all the difference," Julie shares. "I feel like I make a difference to staff too, giving them another channel to talk and helping them understand what patients are going through because of my lived experience."
"I get a huge amount of satisfaction out of helping people and doing a good job, and I get experience that will aid my career, while the NHS gets a really committed volunteer who can take on tasks that the regular staff may not have time for. It’s a win-win situation,” said Henry.
You might be interested in
Our essential evidence
Explore Helpforce's unique data bank about the impact of volunteering.
Giving Back, Transforming Care campaign
