How to become a volunteer Better Together Voluntary Services Voluntary Services is responsible for the recruitment, training and day to day support of volunteers in the National Health Service. There are hundreds of volunteers who use their skills and experience to support the NHS in many different ways to enhance the service given to patients. Volunteers can carry out various tasks in a number of areas, for example: •Hospital shop •Ward activity assistants •Chaplaincy •Administration •Trolley service •Befriending •Transport (driver) •Visiting •Gardening •League of Friends Benefits of becoming a volunteer There are many benefits to becoming a volunteer. These include increased self-esteem and confidence, having a wider support network through being part of your community, being part of a large volunteer team. This can lead to an improved quality of life. You can learn new skills, gain different experiences, attend training which may help your CV if you wish to progress in your career. Some volunteers report there are opportunities to make new friends and have a better social life; you may feel great satisfaction through supporting other people. How do you become a volunteer? Contact us and we will arrange a suitable time for you to come in and have an informal chat. If you do wish to become a volunteer with us, you will be asked to give names and addresses of two referees and we will complete a Criminal Records Bureau and Independent Safeguarding Authority check. Once all the checks have been completed you may be offered a placement depending on your time available, skills, interests and locality. All volunteers receive a Trust identity badge, role description, induction training, and on-the-job training specific to the role and to the site at which you are based. Volunteers will receive support from the Voluntary Services Department and staff at that site, as well as reimbursement of expenses, invitations to events and the opportunity to become part of a team. Among many roles, volunteers are responsible for running the shop at Priority House, Maidstone Who you can contact East Kent locality Volunteer Coordinator West Kent locality Voluntary Services Manager Thanet locality Voluntary Services Manager Medway locality Volunteer Coordinator 01227 812042 01622 723210 01843 855421 01634 331417 Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) You may have some concern about your care and treatment, but feel unable to speak to our staff providing your care. You may just want some information about local health services. You can contact the confidential Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). The PALS Team is available to help you with any health difficulties you may have. The PALS Team can be contacted by calling free: 0800 587 6757 (West Kent and Medway) 0800 783 9972 (East Kent) You can also email: [email protected] Complaints and Compliments If you are pleased with our service, or unhappy, please talk to our staff - we welcome your feedback. If you wish to see your compliments officially recorded or if your wish to make a formal complaint, you can write to the Chief Executive. All complaints will be carefully listened to and thoroughly investigated. Write to: Chief Executive, Trust HQ, 35 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4AX. A further leaflet, Your Right to Complain, is also available to help explain this process. If you are unhappy with the outcome of your complaint you can contact the Care Quality Commission at www.cqc.org.uk You can find out more about the Trust and its services online at www.kmpt.nhs.uk If you want to ask questions about anything to do with your care or the Trust, please ask a member of staff. If you require this leaflet in another format or language please speak to one of our staff or call Communications on 01732 520441. Publish Date: Jan 2011 Ref No.103 This leaflet will be reviewed no more than 3 years after issue