Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Involvement, Experience and Volunteering Team
About Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust offers a range of volunteering opportunities that support patients and service users across different care settings.
Our Volunteer Visitor Scheme provides one-to-one social support for patients within our secure forensic services (high, medium and low secure) who may have limited or no contact with people outside the hospital. Volunteer Visitors offer regular, planned social visits helping patients to maintain meaningful social contact and feel connected to the wider community.
We also deliver a Conversation Partner Scheme, where trained volunteers support individuals to practise and develop communication skills. This is particularly beneficial for people who experience difficulties with speech, language, confidence or social interaction, helping them to build confidence and engage more comfortably in everyday conversations.
England, NG3 6AA
Service Eligibility
The Volunteer Visitor Service is available to adult inpatients within secure forensic services at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, including high, medium and low secure settings. The service aims to reduce social isolation by offering regular, non-clinical social contact from a trained volunteer.
The Conversation Partner Service is delivered separately and supports adults accessing Community Adult Speech & Language Therapy Services. It helps individuals develop communication skills, confidence and social interaction through structured, supportive conversations.
There are no age- or diagnosis-specific exclusions for either service; however, strict eligibility criteria apply. All referrals are considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure support is appropriate, safe and beneficial.
Information for Volunteers
Volunteers can apply via the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust volunteering webpage. All roles follow a full recruitment process, including application, interview, training, DBS checks and references.
Volunteer roles involve providing regular, non-clinical social support through planned visits or structured conversations, depending on the scheme. Volunteers are carefully matched, work within clear professional boundaries and are supported by the Trust’s Volunteering Team.
Time commitments vary but typically involve around 2–3 hours per fortnight, plus attendance at training and supervision.
We are looking for volunteers who are reliable, patient and good listeners, with clear communication skills and an understanding of confidentiality, equality and boundaries.
Age Groups
Young People (18-25), Adults (25-65), Older Adults (65+)Themes
Care Home Residents, Ethnic Minority Communities, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, Offenders/Ex-Offenders, Sensory Impairment, Specific Health Condition, Sexuality/Gender Identity, Older PeopleRegions
Country: England
Other Regions: East Midlands
Other Information
Type of Befriending: Distance befriending including telephone, video call, letter writing or other means, Face to face befriending which takes place in the home or community
Who can refer: Professional Referrals Accepted