Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is proud to announce the launch of Volunteering for Health across the Black Country – a new, nationally supported programme designed to harness the power of volunteering to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities in local communities.
The programme, delivered through a partnership between NHS Charities Together, NHS England, and CW+, is now being rolled out across the Black Country in partnership with local NHS Trusts, including Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the Dudley Group NHS Charity, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, alongside voluntary and community organisations and Integrated Care System leaders.
Volunteering for Health recognises the vital role volunteers play in supporting patient wellbeing, strengthening community connections, and reducing pressure on frontline services. The programme provides a structured, evidence-based approach to designing, delivering, and evaluating volunteer roles that directly contribute to better health outcomes.
Potential volunteers can get involved in a range of roles, from providing companionship and emotional support to patients, to helping with health education, supporting outpatient clinics, assisting with community health projects, and working alongside NHS staff in both clinical and non-clinical settings. Volunteers might also be part of community-based initiatives that focus on prevention and self-care, helping people to manage their own health and wellbeing.
The programme offers flexible volunteering opportunities, meaning people can choose roles that fit around their interests, skills, and availability.
Tahmeena Mumtaz, Service Development Lead and Programme Lead for Volunteering for Health at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“The launch of Volunteering for Health in the Black Country marks a significant step in building healthier, more resilient communities through citizen involvement. By working closely with other local NHS Trusts and partners, we’re supporting the development of volunteering models that are tailored to the unique needs of each place, while building a national movement grounded in shared learning and impact.”
Nithee Patel, Head of Fundraising at the Dudley Group NHS Charity, said:
“The Black Country Volunteering for Health programme will enhance local healthcare by integrating volunteers into community and clinical settings. This collaboration between the five NHS Trusts and the four Volunteer Centres will ensure the sharing of best practices and will create accessible volunteering pathways to help increase the NHS workforce.”
Edward Edmead, Head of Business and Project Developments, said:
"Volunteering for Health is a fantastic opportunity for encouraging and upskilling those interested in volunteering to explore, learn and potentially progress their careers within a health and social care setting."
Andrew Rice, Head of Patient Voice at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said:
“Volunteers already play an invaluable role in healthcare services, and the announcement of this new partnership will pave the way for many more opportunities for people to get involved and help make a meaningful difference to their communities. As well as the obvious benefits volunteers bring to our patients and staff, this programme will help even more people build skills, confidence, and a real sense of satisfaction from making such an important contribution.”
The programme will help local organisations:
• Create meaningful, health-focused volunteer roles
• Develop local volunteer pathways and partnerships
• Access national guidance, training, and evaluation tools
• Contribute to a growing national evidence base on the value of volunteering in healthcare
The Black Country’s pilot will form part of a wider system-wide approach to developing an integrated volunteer pathway across all partners in the region. Supported by local leadership and community-led delivery, the programme aims to embed volunteering within healthcare workforce planning through place-based pilots that respond directly to local needs.
Anyone interested in volunteering can visit https://volunteering.england.nhs.uk/volunteer to browse opportunities in their local area and apply. Each participating NHS Trust and partner organisation will also have a dedicated volunteer team to support recruitment, induction, training, and ongoing development.