Frequently asked questions
We hope this page will answer any questions you have about the Volunteer to Career (VtC) programme, but don't hesitate to get in touch if you still have a query.
The Volunteer to Career programme helps people gain NHS experience and use it as a first step towards a healthcare career. Once you’ve volunteered for 30 hours and stay actively volunteering, you’ll get one-to-one mentoring and career support to help you build confidence and take your next step.
People volunteer for many different reasons in meaningful and purposeful roles. The Volunteer to Career programme is a more structured scheme where volunteering is explicitly tied to a pathway towards paid employment (or at least moving toward a career) or education, rather than just volunteering alone. The programme gives extra career-focused support once you’ve completed 30 hours and remain active.
Anyone aged 18 or over with an interest in health or social care and the right to work or volunteer in the UK. You don’t need experience, just passion, reliability and a willingness to learn and quick start a career in the healthcare sector.
Many of our volunteers are students looking for experience in health or social care. You just need to be 18 or over and able to commit regularly.
We also have supported several people with lived experience. We’ll work with you to ensure you have the right support and that your placement feels safe and rewarding.
No, we don’t promise jobs, but we do promise to support your career journey. Almost 70% of volunteers have gone on to secure NHS roles or further study, but each journey is unique.
You’ll need to complete at least 30 hours of volunteering and remain actively volunteering in your role to access support. If you stop volunteering or don’t keep a record your hours, your VtC support will pause and your support will stop too.
It means regularly attending your volunteering days, recording your hours on our volunteering platform, and keeping in touch with your team. Staying actively volunteering means that you are gaining more experience and skills to show on your applications and interviews and to take onto your next role,ensuring you get the most from the programme.
VtC support lasts for up to one year from when you join, even if you continue volunteering beyond that. After a year, your formal support ends with the confidence you will have gain new knowledge on how to navigate your career and job applications and interviews. This time-limited support enables new volunteers to join in.
Volunteering doesn’t have a defined end. Most of our roles are ongoing and we’d really love for you to continue volunteering with CNWL and provide vital support to service users and staff, being part of our wider CNWL Volunteer community.
You’ll receive mentoring, help with CVs, personal statements and interviews, plus advice on career pathways and confidence-building.
Even if you are not sure about what career you want, that’s okay! The VtC programme can help you explore different NHS pathways until you find something that feels right.
We offer roles across CNWL; from hospital wards and admin teams to community and wellbeing settings. Every role helps you gain skills and insight into the NHS.
We’ll help match you with a service that fits your interests, location and goals.
You’ll complete core training such as safeguarding, confidentiality and equality and diversity. Some roles include extra training like the Breakaway.
You’ll receive regular check-ins and supervision from your team. We’ll also review your progress together through your entry and exit reflections to help you see how far you’ve come. All of this will be explained in full once you join, so you’ll always know what to expect.
Staff can co-design volunteer roles, supervise volunteers, or mentor them through their journey. Email cnwl.vtc@nhs.net to find out how to get involved.
The VtC programme is open to anyone who is interested in a career within Health and Social Care.
To access the VtC programme, you must have completed 30 hours of volunteering and continue to be an active volunteer. Once you meet this requirement, you can start receiving support through the VtC programme.
Volunteers should be able to commit for at least 30 hours, be over 18 years old, have the right to work in the UK, and be ready to go through recruitment checks such as a DBS check, an occupational health check, references checks and training requirements such as the National Volunteer Certificate.
The VtC programme offers volunteer roles that can help you to gain experience in healthcare settings. There are no paid employment roles available directly through the VtC programme, instead, the programme is designed to support you in your job search by offering guidance on CV writing, personal statements, and interview preparation, helping you navigate the formal channels to secure employment.
The programme is open to anyone over the age of 18, from all backgrounds who are passionate about contributing to the healthcare sector while developing their own skills and knowledge. Volunteer roles are advertised on our website, where you can explore opportunities and submit your application.
The VtC programme supports volunteers by offering meaningful volunteers roles as well as practical guidance on CV writing, personal statements, and interview preparation. Volunteers also receive mentoring, career advice, and assistance in building confidence and exploring healthcare career pathways.
Please note: Volunteering and taking part in this programme doesn’t automatically guarantee a job. You will still need to apply through formal channels and complete all necessary pre-employment checks.
Yes, all volunteers take part in the eLearning for Health Training. This programme covers a range of important topics, including your volunteer role and responsibilities, data security, equality and diversity and safeguarding between others.
The support lasts for a maximum period of one year. During this time, your VtC Lead will work with you to develop your CV, application statements, and interview preparation skills, gaining knowledge and developing the skills necessary to be successful in your job applications.
Once you have received an offer of employment or after one year in the programme, support will be withdrawn to allow new volunteers to access it.
Yes, you can apply to multiple volunteer roles that align with your interests and availability. However, you must meet the 30 hour requirement and remain an active volunteer to access the VtC programme’s support.
No prior experience is required. The programme is designed to support individuals who are new to the healthcare sector or looking to gain (more) experience. Our team will help you develop the necessary skills and provide training to prepare you for volunteer roles.
Only active volunteers who have completed at least 30 hours of volunteering can access and get the support from the VtC programme. You can take time off volunteering, and the support from the VtC programme will re-start once you start again your volunteering. If you stop volunteering entirely, you can’t be part of the programme.
If you do not secure employment within one year of participating in the VtC programme, the formal support will end. However, you can still continue to volunteer and use the skills and knowledge you've gained through the VtC programme independently in your job search.
International volunteers can apply to the VtC programme, but you must have the right to work and volunteer in the UK. The programme cannot provide assistance with visas or sponsorship, so you will need to ensure you meet all the requirements before applying.
Once you have completed 30 hours of volunteering, the VtC programme offers guidance on creating CVs, personal statements, and preparing for interviews. You will receive feedback on drafts and help with tailoring your applications for healthcare roles.
If you stop volunteering before completing 30 hours, you will not be eligible to access the VtC programme’s support. It’s important to stay engaged and active to make use of the support offered through the programme.
Yes, you are free to apply for any paid roles while volunteering. The programme is designed to help you gain skills and prepare for job applications, but you can apply for other positions independently at any time.
Yes, each volunteer in the VtC programme is paired with the VtC Lead who will guide you through your volunteering experience, provide support, and help you develop your skills.