Roundtable discussion: Clinical volunteering – Exploring the unknown

The idea of volunteers providing clinical support may excite ambitious volunteering leads and health leaders and innovators, but others will understandably hesitate. What clinical activities can volunteers undertake? How do we make the support safe for patients, staff and volunteers?

Our speakers on this discussion were:

• Jayne Blacklay – Strategic Advisor to the Foundation Group of Trusts, Helpforce Vice-Chair
• Karen Bonner – Chief Nurse and Director for Infection Prevention and Control, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Helpforce trustee
• Juliet Butler – Lead Physiotherapist, Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Mark Evans – Community First Responder Lead & Community Engagement Lead, North West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
• Anne May – Strategic Lead Cancer Nurse, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
• Joanne Smith – Health Visitor and Clinical Lead for Volunteer to Career, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust

A recording of the discussion can be found below.

Useful Links

• https://helpforce.community/iandi/evidenced-outcomes
• https://helpforce.community/volunteer-role-library
• Volunteer to Career programme report