Volunteering at Erie Shores HealthCare
Quick Links
Who Can Volunteer
Why Volunteer
Volunteer Roles
How To Apply
Volunteers provide practical help to patients and visitors, complementing the work of paid staff across Erie Shores HealthCare. They do not carry out clinical work or do work experience.
Erie Shores Volunteers are not directly involved in patient care but help to provide extra support. They come from all walks of life and represent the diversity of the communities that we serve. All are dedicated to making our hospitals a little friendlier and more comfortable for everyone.
Who can volunteer
Our volunteers are confident and enthusiastic people. Our current volunteer base ages range from teenagers to seniors. To volunteer, you need to be able to display some key personal qualities such as empathy and the ability to listen and observe. You also need to be reliable, a self-starter and show initiative and attention to detail.
We ask you to give us at least three hours of your time a week for at least six months, so please consider whether you can realistically fit this commitment in with your other responsibilities. There is the possibility of volunteering in the evenings or at weekends but please note these are our busiest times and if you are able to volunteer between 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, there will be more opportunities for volunteering.
We do not offer any short-term volunteering opportunities that can only be done over the summer.
Local residents
Applicants must live locally to our hospital. We welcome residents from our catchment area of Leamington, Kingsville, Harrow, Amherstburg, Essex, Belle River and Wheatley.
High School Students
We are happy to accept students who wish to volunteer to enhance their volunteer hour requirements. However, please note that our primary focus is our patients and the delivery of our service to the highest possible standards. If you are volunteering to support your volunteer hour requirements, please begin the process in plenty of time.
Why volunteer
There are lots of reasons why people choose to become an Erie Shores Volunteer, including:
- you enjoy helping others and want to play a role in improving patient and visitor experience
- you want to give something back to Erie Shores after you or a family member have been treated here
- you want to contribute to your local community
- you want to use the role to demonstrate your existing skills and further your personal development
- you want to put to good use the skills and experience you’ve gained over your lifetime
- you are thinking about career choices, and are thinking of joining the health and social care sector. But volunteering should not be seen as work experience.
"Volunteering at Erie Shores is a great way to give back to the community. My Outpatient Support role allows me to help a little, comfort a little, and it makes me smile."
- Lyn Still, volunteer since 2015
Volunteer roles
The following roles are currently available.
Gift Shop
Work in a retail environment in our hospital gift shop. The role includes helping customers, some light shelf stocking, and helping to raise necessary funds for our hospital.
Admin volunteers
Assist staff with general administrative duties ranging from data entry, filing, answering phones and taking messages to befriending patients who need support during their visit to the hospital.
Emergency Department (ED)
Play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable patients in a fast-paced environment. Volunteers provide emotional reassurance and practical support to ensure the best possible patient experience during a stressful time.
Meeter and greeter
You will be the first point of contact at the hospital. You will meet and greet patients, family members and visitors to the hospital and help make their visit as smooth as possible. As a meeter and greeter, you have the opportunity to make someone's first experience of Erie Shores a good one.
Outpatient support
Support patients with signing in, befriending and guiding patients and visitors to different departments.
Inpatient befriender
You will work with hospital staff to support patients on our wards and ensure they have a positive experience while in hospital.
How to apply
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us. To apply to volunteer, click on the link below, which will take you to our online application portal.
ESHC Volunteer Application Form
It will take about 5 minutes to complete the application. You will not be able to save the application, so you will need to finish it in one go.
Should you require any additional support with completing the application form please contact the Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator. Details can be found below.