25 people have gained NHS careers thanks to a volunteering scheme.
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Volunteer to Career programme offers volunteering opportunities that provide people with a nationally recognised qualification and lead to a guaranteed interview for a paid position.
It has already recruited 25 volunteers throughout the scheme who have now secured bank, fixed term or permanent roles within the Trust.
A further 16 are currently completing their training and volunteering hours.
It is ideal for those who are interested in a career in healthcare. This programme can provide volunteers with the skills and experience to apply for NHS jobs, including administration roles and healthcare assistant (HCA) roles.
The programme is continuing to move from strength to strength and has now successfully secured funding for a third cohort.
Some of its newest volunteers include the following:
Lucy Bridson: Lucy is currently working as a housekeeper at the West Cumberland Hospital. She wanted to become a healthcare assistant but didn’t have the right experience or skills.
Joining the volunteer to career programme allowed Lucy to learn new skills and knowledge she requires to becoming a healthcare assistant.
On completion, Lucy will be offered a place on the Bank Register as a casual healthcare assistant.
Kristian Messenger: Kristian has been looking for work since 2023. He applied for the Volunteer to Career position to put his transferable skills he gained in the nuclear industry into an admin role within the NHS.
Kristian is looking forward to learning more skills and knowledge and utilising them for future jobs within the NHS. Kristian is now completing his volunteering in the security office at West Cumberland Hospital.
Kristian said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to the security office. I had a very warm welcome, I was made to feel like part of the team as soon as I entered the room.
“They showed me where everything was, and the protocols they follow, everyone was very polite friendly and supportive from the start. I got on really well with everyone, by the end of the day I felt like I’d known them for months.”
Mark Dickson: Mark has been unemployed for 10 months after a career in catering for over 30 years.
Mark felt the Volunteer to Career scheme was a great choice for him as he feels he still has a lot to offer and is hoping he can exceed expectations and start a career within the NHS.
Mark is now completing his volunteering in the security office at West Cumberland Hospital.
Mark explains that on his first day he felt really nervous but that quickly passed.
He added: “I was on a new learning curve. I’ve met so many new faces already, it has been great. It is such a new experience for me after over 30 long years in catering. I’m looking forward to my continued learning. I wish I’d done this sooner.”
Steve Hallett: Steve was made redundant 12 months ago. He has been offered a place onto the programme as admin support at West Cumberland Hospital.
Steve said he is looking forward to starting this month in his new role, and meeting lots of new people.
He also said he wanted to give something back to the NHS that cared for him after a he spent weeks as a patient a few years ago.
Steve said: “I really enjoyed my first week in the security office, I was under the tuition of the parking manager learning how they deal with parking permits which was really interesting. I am looking forward to next week to see how the team navigate their systems.”
Clare Graham, Volunteer to Career programme lead said: “Our Volunteer to Career programme drives and delivers positive outcomes for volunteers of all ages. Our youngest volunteer is 16 and our oldest is 72.
“This programme is really motivating people of all ages into NHS Careers via the various roles it offers i.e. admin, healthcare or catering.
“It supports the Trust’s hospital wards, admin offices and kitchens as well as helping people from our local communities who are trying to get a career with the NHS.”
