Helpforce calling for mass mobilisation of volunteers to support ailing NHS

Response volunteers take on specific non-clinical tasks that:

• Improve the flow of patients through hospitals

• Free up valuable time for healthcare professionals

• Enhance the overall patient experience

The evidence

Working alongside the NHS, we’ve gathered compelling evidence that volunteers make a real difference:

• 86% of frontline NHS staff report that trained volunteers improve the care they provide

• For every 10,000 new NHS ‘response volunteers’ recruited, 1.1 million hours of annual efficiency gains can be achieved by the health service.

• Each individual's response’ volunteer’ supports an average of 2,500 patients and undertakes 6,600 tasks

Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive of NHS Providers, said: “Tens of thousands of highly motivated volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life already gift their time and talents to NHS trusts nationwide and there is growing evidence that they make a significant contribution – not only improving the experiences of patients receiving healthcare, but also in terms of enhancing the working lives of the health professionals they support. In my previous roles as a trust leader, I’ve seen for myself the great benefits this can bring, including the essential work of volunteers with ambulance services.

“Forward-thinking NHS trusts no longer view volunteering programmes as a ‘nice-to-have’ and instead regard them as a strategic imperative. With YouGov’s poll revealing that a third of 18 to 24-year-olds have an appetite to get involved in health volunteering, there would be clear merit in a high-profile, government-led recruitment drive targeting young adults.”

Response volunteer Jenna Leas from Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust preparing a cup of tea for patients waiting at ED department

What Response Volunteers do?

Response volunteers take on vital tasks such as:

• Collecting prescribed medication from hospital pharmacies for patients

• Transporting blood samples from bedsides to on-site labs

• Escorting patients to diagnostic tests or x-rays

• Providing refreshments for patients and their families

• Restocking supplies like bedding, aprons and masks

These tasks allow doctors, nurses, and healthcare assistants to focus on delivering quality care.

Why young adults want to help:

When asked what motivates them to volunteer, Gen Z participants highlighted:

• Making a difference to someone’s life

• Giving back to the NHS

• Gaining a sense of purpose

Dr Jennifer Dixon DBE, Chief Executive of the Health Foundation, said: “It’s fascinating to see that young adults seem to have the highest levels of appetite for NHS volunteering and heartening that so many of them want to do something practical to help others in need, as well as support the NHS which in turn can offer them so much.

“As well as those aged 18 to 24 having a great deal to offer the NHS as volunteers, exposing them to healthcare settings is likely to interest them in a career in the NHS – which could be hugely worthwhile for them, and boost the NHS workforce with young, committed talent.”

Support across the healthcare sector:

As well as NHS Providers and the Health Foundation, our call for a mass mobilisation of volunteers is backed by leading health organisations including:

• The Welsh NHS Confederation

• Voluntary Health Scotland

• Wales Council for Voluntary Action

Tejesh Mistry, Chief Executive of Voluntary Health Scotland, said: “We know that there is an immense pressure on NHS secondary care services and solving the crisis will require innovative solutions, as well as investment in services. Tailored volunteering programmes that safely support the flow of patients through hospitals certainly have a part to play.

“Evidence shows that healthcare volunteering not only has a positive impact on patient care, it also improves the lives of volunteers themselves – often providing a sense of purpose, social connection and opportunities to build confidence and learn new skills.”

A response volunteer at Kingston Hospital with a healthcare assistant

The bigger picture

The survey, which coincides with the launch of our charity’s new ‘Giving Back, Transforming Care’ awareness campaign, also revealed that over two-thirds (67%) of people support the idea of a mass NHS volunteer recruitment drive.

Helpforce CEO, Amerjit Chohan, added: “After years of under-investment and deep-rooted system-level challenges, the NHS remains in crisis - despite the valiant efforts of its staff and legions of existing volunteers. In communities, people feel the effects of unacceptably long waiting lists and chronically over-stretched services. A swathe of the public is evidently willing to step forward and do what they can to help.

“While it may surprise many people that young adults appears to have the greatest level of enthusiasm, it perhaps shouldn’t, as numerous academic studies have shown that this generation possesses a deep sense of social responsibility.”

“There’s a huge opportunity for the Government to learn from our work with more than100 NHS organisations and super-charge impact-led volunteering programmes that have already been proven at scale. Of course volunteering can’t solve all the NHS’ problems, but evidence shows it has a significant contribution to make.”

People interested in healthcare volunteering opportunities in their local area can visit the NHS Volunteering website.

Ends

For further information or to access a range of individual volunteer case studies, please contact:

Martin McGlown, Head of Communications at Helpforce, on 07737 722643 MM@helpforce.community; or

Vy Tran, Helpforce Communications and Content Manager, on 07508 772844 vt@helpforce.community