Volunteer to Career Ward EAU, West Cumberland Hospital

Volunteer to Career (VtC) Programme – Volunteer Ward Support, EAU, West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven

Closing date: 10 February 2026

The North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with Cumberland Council, runs the VtC Programme to encourage volunteers to pursue a career in Healthcare.

Volunteers complete mandatory training, 60 hours on the ward and may obtain the Care Certificate. Successful completion leads to an interview to join the Bank register as a Casual Healthcare Assistant.

The programme is funded from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is open only to applicants who reside within the Cumberland Council boundary.

• Anyone interested in a career within Health and Social Care
• 18 years of age or over

• Assist the Nutrition Coordinator in delivering meals to patients and provide companionship during mealtime
• Help patients with feeding and drinking when appropriate
• Support HCA’s and nurses by replenishing drinks and sitting with patients
• Run errands for patients including purchasing newspapers, magazines or snacks
• Assist with preparing patients for meals, serve meals, cut up food and open packaging
• Collect and tidy up following meal service
• Engage with patients in conversation, reading, playing crosswords, dominoes, etc.

Location: EAU, West Cumberland Hospital

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust aims to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the North Cumbria population. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout the county.

Our principles demonstrate our belief in delivering safe, high‑quality care every time:

• Clinically led organisation
• Quality and safety at the heart of the Trust
• Positive patient experience every time
• Great place to work
• Managing money well

For full details of the role, the essential and desirable criteria, please refer to the attached job description and person specification.

• Customer Service Experience
• Good communication and listening skills
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Patience and understanding
• Good team working skills
• Good organisational skills
• Health and safety awareness

• Able to work under pressure
• Aware of own limitations
• Flexible and adaptable

• National Care Certificate to be completed as part of the induction process

Disclosure and Barring Service Check – This post requires a DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust