Volunteering in NHS Scotland

Volunteering in NHS Scotland

Volunteering makes a huge contribution to NHSScotland, it improves the experience of patients accessing health services, it frees up staff capacity and it can improve the health and wellbeing of volunteers themselves.  We exist to drive forward the volunteering agenda in NHSScotland through effective leadership, governance, consultancy and expert advice for volunteering across NHSScotland.

Through our work, the quality, effectiveness and impact of volunteering on both NHSScotland and on volunteers themselves will be evidenced through robust gathering of data, evaluation, impact assessment and a commitment to continuous improvement and learning.

We will contribute to the development of volunteering in Scotland through collaboration and partnership working, fostering cross sector relationships to achieve our common goals.

Volunteering improves the health and experience of recipients of care. It also has a beneficial impact on the volunteers themselves, as described in our case studies.

Executive and Strategic Leads for Volunteering

From 2008 to 2019 NHS boards were required to nominate a Strategic Lead for Volunteering (CEL 10 2008).  Since August 2019, the Scottish Government has required boards to identify a Strategic Lead and an Executive Lead for Volunteering, which will strengthen local governance arrangements for volunteering.

Volunteering Information System

The Volunteering Information System allows NHS boards to administer data about their volunteers and report on activity.

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Guidance and Publications

Information, guidance and good practice publications which will support people who manage volunteers within the NHS in Scotland.

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Case Studies

Case studies from across Scotland describe the positive impact that volunteering has on patients, families, staff and the volunteers themselves.

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NHS Scotland Advisory Board

The NHS Scotland Advisory Board oversees and provides leadership to the Volunteering in NHS Scotland programme and engages with the Scottish Government.

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Volunteer Managers Network

We support volunteering managers in each NHS board through a series of regional and national Volunteer Managers Network events.

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Strategy 2022 - 2026

Our vision for the Programme from 2022 - 2026

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Annual Report 2021-22

The Volunteering in NHSScotland Programme Annual Report 2021-22.

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Volunteers' Week 2022

During Volunteers' Week (1 to 7 June) we want to say a huge "thank you" to all volunteers past, present and currently stood down

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Last Updated: 25 May 2022