Volunteering with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of Scotland’s largest employers, with around 38,000 staff delivering care across acute and community services. Alongside this workforce, hundreds of dedicated volunteers play a vital role in enhancing the experience of patients, families and staff across our hospitals.

Volunteering is coordinated through the NHSGGC Volunteering Service, which focuses on roles that bring meaningful benefit to everyone involved and help create a welcoming, supportive environment.

💙 Why Volunteers Make a Difference

Volunteers contribute to a more positive hospital experience by offering time, compassion and practical support. Their involvement helps:

Improve patient wellbeing through companionship, conversation and emotional support, especially for those with few or no visitors.
Support families and visitors by helping them navigate busy hospital sites.
Enhance staff experience by assisting in Rest and Recuperation Hubs, giving staff space to recharge.
Free up clinical teams so healthcare professionals can focus on delivering high‑quality care.

Volunteers complement the work of trained staff, adding a human touch that strengthens the overall care experience.

Types of Volunteer Roles

Volunteers support a wide range of activities across NHSGGC hospitals, helping to create a welcoming, supportive and person‑centred environment. Roles include:

Ward Volunteers, spending time with patients who may feel isolated and offering companionship and conversation.
Welcome Guides, providing wayfinding support to help patients, families and visitors navigate our hospital sites.
Wellbeing Volunteers, assisting in staff wellbeing spaces such as Rest and Recuperation Hubs.
Spiritual Care Volunteers, offering a listening ear, compassionate presence and non‑judgemental support to patients, families and staff of all faiths and none.
Rehabilitation Volunteers, supporting patients during their recovery by assisting with supervised activities that promote mobility, confidence and independence.
Service Support Volunteers, helping specific departments or services where an extra pair of hands can make a meaningful difference.

These roles are designed to add value, improve comfort and enhance the overall experience of patients, families and staff across NHSGGC hospitals.

Appreciation for Volunteers

NHSGGC recognises the tremendous contribution volunteers make. Their generosity, time and compassion help services run more smoothly and enrich the experience of patients, families and staff. We are deeply grateful to every volunteer who supports care across our hospitals.

Volunteering Requirements

This section outlines what you need to become a volunteer with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, along with what you can to ensure a safe, reliable and positive experience for everyone, volunteers must meet a set of core expectations.

What We Ask of All Volunteers

Reliability and dependability, with a commitment to attend regularly.
A weekly commitment of 3–4 hours for at least six months, allowing continuity for patients and services.
Completion of the NHS recruitment process, including:
- Disclosure Scotland clearance
- Satisfactory references
- Occupational Health checks

These steps help maintain a safe and supportive environment across our hospitals.

Support for Our Volunteers

Once accepted, volunteers receive the support and resources they need to carry out their role confidently and safely. Volunteers will:

Wear an NHS uniform and display an ID badge while on duty, helping patients and staff recognise them easily.
Receive training, support and supervision tailored to their role, ensuring they feel prepared and valued.
Have access to a dedicated Volunteer Manager, who provides ongoing guidance, support and a consistent point of contact throughout their volunteering journey.
Be encouraged to claim out‑of‑pocket travel expenses, ensuring volunteering remains accessible to all.
Be covered by CNORIS insurance while carrying out their duties.
Be recognised and celebrated, including during our annual Volunteer Week celebrations and through milestone certificates that acknowledge their commitment and contribution.
Make a meaningful difference to patients, families and staff across NHSGGC by contributing their time, compassion and energy.

These supports ensure that volunteering is safe, rewarding and impactful, helping volunteers feel confident, appreciated and connected to the wider NHSGGC community.

Find out more about Volunteering

We offer a variety of exciting roles for those interested in joining our volunteer team. If you would like to apply to become a volunteer and support our services, we welcome your interest.

Please note that the Volunteering Service is unable to organise short‑term shadowing or work‑experience placements. Information about work experience opportunities can be found here: Work Experience – NHSGGC

View our Volunteering Opportunities

View our Volunteering Policy here