Volunteers - Find a role

We currently have over 40 existing volunteers and so vacancies are not always available. When we do have vacancies, we will advertise them on this page and you can apply for any roles you are interested in.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close any adverts before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. We advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.

Closing date of role

Thursday 10 April 2025

Purpose of role

The Christie patient information committee meets every month. Meetings are held online using MS Teams and are usually held on the first Thursday of the month. Volunteers should be prepared to meet remotely using MS Teams The patient information committee is made up of representatives across The Trust. The committee works to oversee information (print and digital) produced for patients and carers about the treatment and services we provide. This includes new and existing information which is reviewed every 3 years. 

To help ensure that the work that we do is informed by patients and the public, we require a further patient/user representative to join the committee who will represent the residents of Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The patient/user representative will be recruited as a Christie volunteer.

The role will require you to be a resident (patient, public, member or carer) of The Christie patient catchment area. You should have a knowledge of the local area.

Scope of role

Patient information committee

Responsibility for role

Marketing and engagement manager (vice-chair PIC), marketing and engagement officer/co-ordinator, volunteers

Time commitment

Meetings usually take place on the first Thursday of every month and are scheduled for 1 hour. This may extend to 1 hour 30 minutes if required. Preparation time of reading the papers and related materials would take between 2 to 4 hours depending on the content of the agenda.

We are looking for a representative who can commit to the role for 1 year initially.

Related documents

  • Management of volunteers' policy
  • Health and safety policy
  • Local risk assessment(s)
  • Uniform and workwear policy and code of appearance
  • Volunteer agreement

Procedure

Volunteers are required to:

  • Be registered volunteers who are DBS checked and cleared
  • Attend meetings remotely using MS Teams
  • Wear identity badges and volunteer lanyard if on site
  • Conform to Trust policies and procedures that they are made aware of
  • Report any accident/untoward occurrences to a member of staff
  • Comply with training provided
  • In this role, you will:
    • use your knowledge and experience to give objective advice about the impact on patients and carers around the issues and information being considered by the committee, while leaving aside any personal agenda and issues
    • review information for patients and carers related to cancer treatment and services at The Christie
    • provide constructive feedback and question where improvements can be made to information
    • have a genuine interest in improving services for patients and an understanding of the NHS
    • understand and evaluate a range of information and evidence
    • ask constructive questions with patient and carer needs at the heart of all information
    • work as part of a group, building effective relationships, listen to and consider the views of others
    • have good time management skills
    • have good IT skills. Support can be given on how to use Adobe tools to review documents
    • have access to a private setting and IT equipment such as a laptop/PC or tablet to take part in online meetings
    • read papers and related materials in advance, which will be circulated electronically
    • mark up comments on documents digitally using comments tools and provide these to the patient information team by email. New committee volunteer members not familiar with using Adobe Acrobat tools to markup PDFs will be provided with support to be able to do so
    • have an awareness of and commitment to equality and diversity
    • understand the need for confidentiality
    • treat all committee members fairly and with respect
  • Do no other duties than those agreed in these guidelines
  • The patient information team will:
    • supervise the work of the volunteers
    • be able to deal with any queries/problems/concerns from volunteers
    • liaise with the marketing and engagement department as required
    • include volunteer activity in their risk assessments
    • offer a local induction programme
    • provide a commitment that your views will be taken seriously
    • offer advice, guidance and support from the chair and vice-chair of the committee
    • offer pre-meeting briefings to discuss the agenda
    • provide a clear set of working practice standards including a commitment to use jargon-free language and provide information such as meeting papers in good time
    • commit to being transparent in the information shared and be honest about what can and cannot be achieved
  • The marketing and engagement department will:
    • Register volunteers on behalf of The Christie
    • Arrange mandatory training
    • Maintain records of volunteers’ online training
    • Liaise with the staff and volunteers
    • Provide a clear description of your role

Mandatory training

  • volunteers must complete mandatory training as specified by the marketing and engagement department prior to starting. Training once completed is valid for 3 years and is transferrable to other NHS Trusts supporting the online volunteer passport. Guidance is provided.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

At The Christie, we aim to deliver healthcare services that are accessible and inclusive to everyone. We want our teams to reflect the diversity of the patients and communities we serve and therefore welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities.

To ensure The Christie is a place characterised by dignity and inclusivity, we ask that volunteers show equal respect to all staff, patients, visitors, and to each other regardless of their background or ability.

Further information

An example of a booklet that would be reviewed by the committee can be found on the patient booklets page of our website.

Committee members should be happy to review a range of information across different cancer types and treatments.

Successful shortlisted applicants will be invited for a short interview lasting 30 minutes with an opportunity for questions. The interview will be attended by a representative from volunteer services and the patient information committee.

You will be asked a small number of questions including why you want to volunteer at The Christie, why you would like to do the role you are applying for and what you can bring to the role. You will also be asked if you can commit to the role for the time asked each month and for a year from the point of starting your role.

More information about The Christie can be found on our website.

To apply for any of our volunteer roles, please download an application form. [Microsoft Word Doc - 876KB]

Once completed, please send your application form to the-christie.volunteers@nhs.net or to the following address:

Marketing and engagement
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Wilmslow Road
M20 4BX 

We receive high numbers of applications for volunteer places and unfortunately, we are not always able to offer a role to everyone that applies. We thank you for your interest and advise you to check this page regularly for any additional roles. 

Please note that the volunteer recruitment process can take a number of months to complete, which is why we ask for a minimum of six months commitment to The Christie.

Please do ensure you have taken time to carefully read the above information about the volunteering procedure and our FAQs. If you still feel you need advice, the voluntary services team can be contacted at the-christie.volunteers@nhs.net

Last updated: April 2025

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