Volunteering
The Volunteering team develops policy and programs that promote volunteering in NSW Health. NSW Health has a long successful history of encouraging a culture of engaging the community in volunteering. NSW Health greatly values the relationship fostered with volunteers who generously give their time, knowledge and life experiences to support our health services and make a real difference to the lives of patients, their families and staff across the NSW health system.
Being a volunteer benefits the community and individuals by facilitating interaction and increasing peoples' involvement in and awareness of local community issues, projects and services. Many volunteers provide services through hospital auxiliaries that fundraise and support patient amenities. Local Health Districts support volunteers through locally managed volunteer programs.
Examples of existing volunteer activities include catering, gardening, retail, serving meals to patients, providing companionship and fund raising.
NSW Health assures the safety and welfare of its volunteers with appropriate training and placement in suitable volunteering activities available across the health services in accordance with NSW Health's workplace and occupational health and safety policies.
To find out more about volunteering opportunities near you, go to the NSW Ministry of Health website to access the NSW Health Services Directory. This will provide direct contact details for all public hospital and community health services in NSW. Find your local hospital and contact them about volunteering opportunities.
You can also contact the United Hospital Auxiliaries Inc by email hosp.aux@bigpond.net.au or telephone 02 9391 9716.
If you are specifically interested in helping children and young people in hospital then contact one of the three children's hospitals in NSW - John Hunter Children’s Hospital in Newcastle, The Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick or the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
The NSW Ministry of Health honours the vital contribution of its volunteers every year by holding a NSW Health Volunteers Appreciation Day. See the NSW Health Calendar for more details.
Volunteer services are also acknowledged with the inclusion of the Volunteer Service of the Year Award in the NSW Health Awards. Further details can be found at the NSW Health Awards website.