Ward Activities Volunteer: Role description
Tags: Guidance, Template
16th July 2025
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Thank you to Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for sharing this role description.
About the role:
Our Ward Activities Volunteers work on various wards across our hospitals and come into contact with patients who have a range of conditions. A large number of our patients are elderly and frail and/or living with dementia.
The aim of Ward Activities Volunteers is to improve the hospital experience by helping patients to engage in conversation and in a range of on and offline activities during their stay.
Ward Activities Volunteers work with patients individually at bedsides and where appropriate, lead activities for a number of patients within a bay or dayroom.
The menu of activities is continually expanding and includes colouring-in, shared reading, card making, puzzles, quizzes, poetry writing, drawing, interactive digital equipment, online entertainment, a range of games and more.
Volunteers mostly meet new patients each week, however on our longer stay wards, there may be the opportunity for volunteers to work with the same patients over a period of weeks.
We have a fantastic music programme where professional musicians perform concerts on our wards. Volunteers accompany musicians, help them transition between bays, encourage patient engagement, and gather feedback from patients, staff and visitors.
These sessions take place on wards at either the Northern General Hospital, the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Jessops, Weston Park, Charles Clifford or Beech Hill Rehabilitation Unit (Norfolk Park Road, S2).
As a Ward Activities Volunteer you will be asked to:
Approach ward staff and ask them to identify patients who would most benefit from some company and participating in an activity.
Encourage patients (as well as visitors where possible) to take part in the activities at bedsides (and in dayrooms when permitted and staff supervision available).
Clean resources between patient use adhering to our infection control guidelines.
Book, sign out, look after and return any equipment/resources.
Introduce musicians to ward contacts, encourage patients into dayrooms (where applicable), encourage patient engagement, help ensure smooth running of concerts.
Observe patients during sessions, noting how they respond to activities, any positive/ negative comments, and highlighting any changes in mood/behaviour/interaction with others. Ask patients how they found the session, recording their responses using the evaluation form provided.
Encourage patients to take photos of any artwork/poetry produced during the session if they have their own camera phone and to email them.
Obtain patient, visitor and staff consent using forms provided. Supply consent forms to Arts Activities Officer.
As a Ward Activities Volunteer you will not be asked to:
Provide personal care such as assisting patients with the toilet.
Deal with complaints and incidents.
Move and handle patients or non-patient heavy items.
Chaperone patients in appointments.
Assist with feeding patients.
Skills and experience needed:
Previous experience is not necessary, as training will be provided but this volunteer role would suit individuals who are:
Enthusiastic, friendly, chatty and creative with an interest in arts, puzzles, poetry, and music.
Able to communicate well and enjoy working with and listening to people.
Understanding to the varying needs of patients.
Helpful, empathetic and patient at all times.
Self-motivated.
Attitudes and values needed:
Non-judgmental
Committed to Equal Opportunities practice
Friendly
Approachable
Happy to help patients
Talkative
Kind and caring
Positive
Reliable and dedicated
Confident meeting new people
Time Commitment:
Volunteers are required to commit to at least 3 hours per week for a minimum of 6 months.