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 is a pioneering initiative that aims to address staffing shortages in the NHS by actively encouraging volunteers to pursue a career in Healthcare.

The programme provides a pathway for volunteers to seek employment within the CNWL NHS Foundation Trust by providing volunteers with the appropriate support and resources, as well as assistance in identifying entry jobs within our Trust.

The VtC programme offers a wide range of roles within CNWL, such as clinical support, administrative roles, patient support, research, community outreach, and many more. Many of these roles are entry-level positions, providing a great opportunity for volunteers to gain experience and start their healthcare career.

The VtC programme is open to anyone who is interested in a career within Health and Social Care.

Volunteers should be able to commit for at least 60 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.

You can apply for a role through the VtC programme by visiting CNWL's volunteering opportunities site  where we regularly update our volunteer roles.

The VtC programme provides comprehensive support to volunteers in finding employment within CNWL. You will be assigned a dedicated VtC Coordinator Lead who will guide you through the process and provide you with the necessary resources and support to help you succeed.

Additionally, the VtC programme offers exclusive volunteer opportunities that can lead to entry-level jobs within the CNWL NHS, giving you a head start in your health and social care career. Furthermore, you will have access to workshops, training sessions, and networking opportunities that can help you build your skills and knowledge and increase your chances of finding employment within the CNWL NHS.

The VtC programme is designed to provide volunteers with the right support and resources to help them succeed and find employment within the NHS.

As a volunteer in the VtC programme, you will receive warm and comprehensive support throughout your journey. You will be assigned a VtC Coordinator Lead who will guide you through the process and provide you with the resources you need to be successful. This support is available once you have reached at least 30 hours of volunteering and you are still actively volunteering with CNWL.

The assistance accorded to each individual shall be customised to their respective necessities and may encompass aspects such as job/volunteer pairing, revising/enhancing a CV and personal statement, exploring diverse career pathways, and providing training to facilitate excellence in one's role.

The support encompasses a multitude of aspects, including refining or enhancing a CV and personal statement, investigating diverse career pathways, Interview preparation, providing training to facilitate excellence in one's role, and bolstering confidence. Additionally, the VtC Coordinator Lead will extend emotional and psychological support, foster creativity, address needs and employment barriers, and resolve any difficulties encountered during the volunteer tenure.

The support will be provided by a VtC Coordinator Lead who has undergone similar experiences and has received coaching and assistance themselves. The VtC Coordinator Lead oversees the volunteer programme, providing emotional and psychological aid, fostering creativity, addressing needs and employment barriers, and resolving any difficulties encountered during the volunteer's tenure.

Their goal is to instil confidence, facilitate discussion, and overcome any obstacles encountered in the volunteer role.

The VtC Coordinator Lead will allocate time once a week to each volunteer to provide guidance and serve as the VtC Coordinator Lead, however, this is subject to change depending on the volunteers needs.

To be eligible for a role through the VtC programme, a minimum commitment of 30 hours of volunteering is required.

However, it is important to continue volunteering until you are successful in gaining a paid post  to gain a thorough understanding of the role and the organisation, as well as to provide the organisation with an understanding of how you fit within the team.

There are many benefits to volunteering through the VtC programme. You will gain valuable experience, skills, and knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of the health and social care industry.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of patients and their families. Furthermore, the VtC programme can help you find entry-level jobs within CNWL, giving you a head start in your health and social care career.

Yes, you will receive a reference of recommendation whilst and after volunteering in the VtC programme once you have completed 60 hours of volunteering. This can be a great way to showcase your skills and experience to future employers.

Yes, you can certainly apply for more than one role through the VtC programme. We encourage our volunteers to explore different areas within the CNWL NHS to find the role that best fits their interests and skills.

Volunteers can be part of the VtC programme after they have completed a minimum 30 hours of volunteering. The aim of starting with volunteering is to provide the person with enough relevant skills, experience and knowledge to be successful in a job interview.

The length of time it takes for volunteers to find a job through the VtC programme can vary depending on many factors, including the volunteer's availability, the availability of job opportunities, and the volunteer's progress through the programme. Our goal is to support each volunteer in finding a job as quickly as possible after being referred to the programme, and we will work with each volunteer individually to create a career pathway plan that fits their unique needs and circumstances.

Yes, all CNWL volunteers are required to participate in the National Volunteer Certificate (NVC) programme offered by Health Education England (HEE) and accredited by Skills for Justice (SFJ).

This programme provides comprehensive training on various topics, including your role and responsibilities, data security, equality and diversity, safeguarding, health and safety, fire safety, preventing radicalization, mental health awareness, conflict resolution, and communication skills.

For volunteer placements in acute-care environments, you will need to undertake a half-day Breakaway Training Course. This course provides effective skills and knowledge to help you safely disengage from aggressive situations and is designed to assist at-risk staff groups in extricating themselves from potential harm.

This training is mandatory for all volunteers in acute ward positions to ensure their safety and well-being and to provide them with the necessary skills to handle any potential challenges. The VtC programme may also offer other training opportunities for volunteers based on their individual needs and the requirements of their role, so be sure to discuss any additional training requirements with your VtC Coordinator Lead.

Yes, you can still apply for a role through the VtC programme even if you have no prior health or social care experience. The VtC programme is designed to provide a pathway for volunteers to seek employment within the CNWL NHS by offering them the right support and resources, including training and a VtC Coordinator Lead. So, regardless of your experience, if you are passionate about the health and social care industry and want to make a difference, we encourage you to apply.

Yes, you can apply for the VtC programme even if you have prior healthcare experience. If you have prior experience in the health and social care industry, it may be an advantage as you already have a deeper understanding of the field, but it is not a requirement to apply for the programme. The VtC programme offers support, resources, and opportunities for volunteers to develop their skills and gain valuable experience in the CNWL NHS, regardless of their prior experience.

Some volunteer vacancies within CNWL are exclusive to the VtC programme because we aim to actively support and provide a pathway for volunteers to gain a career in the health and social care industry. By offering these exclusive volunteer opportunities through the VtC programme, we are able to provide volunteers with the right resources and support to help them find entry-level jobs within CNWL and start their health and social career. The VtC programme is designed to make a positive impact on the CNWL NHS workforce and help address shortages by providing a clear pathway for volunteers to start their careers in the healthcare industry.

Volunteers, including those participating in the VtC program, can’t engage in clinical or therapeutic work. Clinical work encompasses tasks performed by health and social care professionals such as diagnosis, treatment, and counselling, which require specialised training and expertise, as well as being accredited by the relevant registration body.

Volunteers in non-clinical and clinical roles may assist with administrative tasks, support services, engage with patients, or community outreach, but are not permitted to perform tasks that require medical or therapeutic expertise.

After finding a job through the VtC programme, we understand that your journey doesn't stop there. If you choose to continue volunteering, we are here to provide ongoing support and guidance in finding future opportunities.

If you are a service user of CNWL, you will receive a personalised in-work support plan, which includes one month of support from your VtC Coordinator Lead and the VtC team. We are here to answer any questions and provide resources to help you succeed in your new role. We value your hard work and dedication and want to make the transition from volunteer to employee as seamless and positive as possible.