Volunteering

Volunteering at the Trust

Volunteering at the Trust is a great way to support your local hospital, and we know our volunteers make a significant difference to both our patients and staff every day.

We welcome volunteers at our hospital sites in York, Scarborough, Bridlington, and Selby, as well as our smaller community sites.

We are not currently recruiting volunteers within the Trust, but we anticipate that our next recruitment will be in early 2026. Volunteer vacancies will be advertised on this page when they are available.

Chaplaincy volunteering roles

A Chaplaincy volunteer provides a regular frontline chaplaincy presence on an assigned ward or is directed to visit specific individuals by the Chaplain.

The Chaplaincy Team at York and Scarborough NHS Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust welcome new volunteers from all faiths and none. Please read the documents below for more information on chaplaincy volunteering, including details on the role and a description of the Chaplaincy volunteer role. Though the application period is not yet open, we invite you to complete the expression of interest form to register your interest in volunteering with the Chaplaincy department. When the position opens, you will then receive an email asking you to complete an application form, after which you may be invited to attend an informal interview.

Thank you for your interest in Chaplaincy volunteering. The team will look forward to meeting you soon.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the volunteer team via yhs-tr.ysthvolunteer@nhs.net or call 01904 724 229.

Frequently asked questions

After submitting an application, how long does it take to become a Trust volunteer?
It takes 8-12 weeks, including recruitment checks, an information session, and an induction session.

Do you offer work experience?
Our volunteering roles are designed to improve the patient experience, not for work experience purposes. We do sometimes offer work experience placements for those under 18. Find more details on work experience placements here.

Volunteering requirements

To apply and become a volunteer, we ask that people:

Commit to a minimum of six months, initially
Make a weekly commitment of one four-hour shift
Must be aged 16 and above. Please note that volunteers under 18 require parental consent. Some roles are only appropriate for volunteers aged 18+

To find out more about volunteering with the NHS, please visit NHS England's volunteering webpage.

Support Scarborough Hospital's cafe

The Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) is looking for more volunteers to support the cafe at Scarborough Hospital.

To find out more and apply for the role, visit the RVS website.

Friends of York Hospitals

Friends of York Hospitals is a charity founded in 1953 to support the care and rehabilitation of patients from York Hospital, Nelson's Court, and White Cross Court.

The charity works in partnership with the Trust through volunteering and supports the work of York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity by fundraising for specialist equipment and projects to increase the facilities and care for patients and their families.

The charity could not carry out its work without the generosity of local people giving their time. If you are interested in learning more about Friends of York Hospitals and its volunteering and membership opportunities, please visit the FOYH website.

Updated: 02/01/2026