Volunteer at Auckland City Hospital

Volunteers at Auckland City Hospital support patients, whānau, and visitors in many ways. Find out more about a variety of volunteering options below.

About Auckland City Hospital

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Companion volunteers

Our friendly teams of companion volunteers connect with patients throughout Auckland City Hospital. They engage with patients one-on-one and in group settings through various activities, such as playing games, arts and crafts and music.

Companion volunteers make a real difference to our patients’ experience. We are looking for people with the following qualities:

  • a compassionate, warm and engaging personality with great listening skills
  • excellent verbal communication and English language skills required
  • confidence in approaching people and starting conversations or engaging them in activities
  • comfortable in an acute hospital setting
  • able to commit to 1 x 3-hour shift per week for a minimum of one year.

This friendly team of Companion Volunteers provide non-clinical support to the patients on the 4 Mana Awhi/Older People’s Health Physical Rehabilitation wards as well as an all-ages, new state-of-the-art Taiao Ora/Ward 51 stroke and neurology ward. 

Patients on these wards often experience long hospital stays while rehabilitating from stroke, fractures/falls and are predominantly 65 years and over.

These patients greatly benefit from companionship. Activities on these wards can include conversation, providing books and magazines, encouraging movement, speech practice following a stroke, playing music, and arts and crafts.

Shift Information (Required one shift per week)

  • Monday to Friday: 10am-1pm and 1pm-4pm
  • Saturday:10am-1pm

Apply

Please note that volunteer intake varies throughout the year. 

Sorry, there are no current vacancies.

Companion volunteers

Companion volunteers make a real difference to our patients’ experience. We are looking for people with the following qualities:

  • a compassionate, warm and engaging personality with great listening skills
  • excellent verbal communication and English language skills required
  • confidence in approaching people and starting conversations or engaging them in activities
  • comfortable in an acute hospital setting
  • able to commit to 1 x 3-hour shift per week for a minimum of one year.

Our friendly volunteers provide non-clinical support to the patients on ten General Wards of the Auckland City Hospital, including General Medicine, Orthopaedics, Urology and Respiratory wards.

Every day is different, our Companion Volunteers interact with a variety of patients of different ages, cultural and social backgrounds through conversation, playing games, and providing books and magazines.

If you are an initiator and a team player with great communication skills, we would love to have you on this team

Shift Information (Required one shift per week)

  • Monday to Friday: 10.30am-1.30pm and 4pm-7pm
  • Saturday: 10.30am-1.30pm

Apply

Please note that volunteer intake varies throughout the year. 

Sorry, there are no current vacancies.

They provide information and assistance to patients and visitors who may need assurance, guidance or a helping hand. They may also escort visitors to appointments if needed.

Shift Information (One 3-4 hour shift required per week):

  • Monday to Friday: 4pm to 7.30pm
  • Saturday: 11am to 2pm

Apply

Please note that volunteer intake varies throughout the year. 

No current vacancies.

 

Greenlane Clinical Centre

Greenlane Clinical Centre is a day clinic where you will be helping with day-stay patients and their families through the following volunteering opportunities.

About the Greenlane Clinical Centre

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Our Tea Trolley volunteers offer a smile and a cup of tea and coffee, free of charge, to the patients and their whanau who are waiting for an outpatient appointment.

It is a much-appreciated service that helps the patients pass the time whilst in the waiting area. 

Shift Information (Required one shift per week)

  • Monday to Friday - 9am-12pm

Apply

Please note that volunteer intake varies throughout the year. 

Click here to apply.external link

Greenlane Clinical Centre is a day clinic where you will be helping with day-stay patients and their families.

Shift Information (Required one shift per week)

  • Monday to Friday: 8am to 12pm or 12pm to 4pm    

Apply

Please note that volunteer intake varies throughout the year. 

No current vacancies.

Starship Children's Hospital

Volunteers can support children and their whānau during their stay at the hospital in a variety of ways. Explore opportunities below.

About Starship Children's Hospital

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This role provides support, orientation and companionship for parents and caregivers. Your contact with the families is by referral, and volunteers spend time with families at often stressful times.

Shift times are:

  • Monday – Friday, 10am - 12pm

Apply

Please note that volunteer intake varies throughout the year. 

Sorry, there are no current vacancies.

 

Pet Therapy programme volunteers facilitate the visit of specially selected and trained Hato Hone St John therapy pets and their owners to the Starship Hospital wards.

The role of the Pet Therapy volunteer is to guide them to the Starship wards, liaise with staff, organise the visits from the children and ensure hygiene is maintained at all times.

Shift times are:

  • Wednesday, 11am – 12.30pm
  • Saturday, 10.30am – 12pm

Apply

Please note that volunteer intake varies throughout the year. 

No current vacancies.

The Hospital Grandparents provide care support on a one-on-one basis for children and their families. Hospital Grandparents care mainly for children whose families cannot be with them all the time.

They provide care support to long-term patients and children from out of town, and sometimes are with children while they undergo procedures such as x-rays, blood transfusions and chemotherapy.

Shift times are:

  • 10 am - 2 pm

Apply

Please note that volunteer intake varies throughout the year. 

Sorry, there are no current vacancies.

Working under the supervision of the hospital play specialist, volunteers provide activities in the Starship wards and outpatient playrooms.

Your work helps children cope with the anxiety and stress they may feel during their time in the hospital.

Shift information:

  • Monday to Friday: 3-hour shift times flexible between 8.30am-4pm.

Apply

Please note that volunteer intake varies throughout the year. 

Sorry, there are no current vacancies.

 

School assistant volunteers assist qualified teachers in the on-site hospital school. They provide one-on-one help to children in the classroom. Volunteers may assist children in their rooms.

Shift information:

  • Monday to Friday - 9.45am-11.45am, 1pm-3pm.

Apply

Please note that volunteer intake varies throughout the year. 

Click here to applyexternal link

This volunteer service provides non-medical assistance to patients, parents, other relatives and visitors to the hospital. 

Their role is to meet and greet patients/families on arrival and to offer help to get them to clinics, wards and other facilities as required. Often, people coming into the hospital are stressed and need reassurance and helpful assistance.

Shift times are:

  • Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm or 1pm to 4pm

Apply

Please note that volunteer intake varies throughout the year. 

Sorry, there are no current vacancies.

Radio Lollipop is an independent international not-for-profit organisation. It provides play and radio programmes at Starship Children’s Hospital. Volunteers visit the children in the wards with games and activities, and sometimes organise themed evenings and special guests.

Volunteers must be willing to attend a compulsory information evening held twice a year. You must be reliable, mature and have experience with children and be comfortable around them.

For more information:

Visit their website: radiolollipop.orgexternal link

Email: nzinfo@radiolollipop.org

Phone: 09 377 3997 and leave a message.

Volunteer roles with external agency across Auckland (Central)

There are opportunities to volunteer across the Auckland (Central) hospitals and healthcare facilities through external agencies. See options below.

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Oncology Support - Cancer Society Yellow Shirts

It is a challenging time for those going through cancer treatment. To help make it a little easier, the Cancer Society(external link) has a team of volunteers working in the Auckland City Hospital oncology department.

As a volunteer, you complement the care given by hospital staff, providing support and comfort to patients and their supporters in the oncology clinic, acute area, chemotherapy day stay and radiation therapy department.

Our volunteers:

  • give a warm welcome to patients and their supporters
  • offer patients and their supporters assistance to obtain help from the Oncology staff
  • offer basic refreshments to patients and visitors, and a listening ear with a friendly chat.

Cancer Societyexternal link

Cancer Society Volunteer Drivers

The volunteer driving service provides transport to and from cancer treatments and appointments. Our volunteer drivers help people and their families during difficult times. 

Being a volunteer driver may only take a few hours once a week, once a fortnight or even once a month. You can choose to drive as little or as often as you like on days that suit you.

All volunteer drivers are given training and ongoing support. A contribution towards travel costs is available.  

To find out more about becoming a Cancer Society volunteer:

Your generosity enables the Cancer Society to support those living with cancer, fund research and advocate for cancer prevention. 

Cancer Societyexternal link

Chaplaincy assistants work with our professionally trained chaplains to provide pastoral care and spiritual support to our patients, their whānau, and family and hospital staff. Our hospital chaplains are trained professionals. Chaplains respect a person's individual beliefs and will support all people. Our chaplains visit the wards daily and try to see as many people as possible.​​

Chaplains and chaplaincy assistants are employed by the Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy (ICHC). Volunteer chaplaincy assistants must be members of good standing within their church or organisation.

Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy (ICHC)external link

Training is provided, and all assistants work under the supervision of a chaplain.

Contact chaplaincy coordinator Rev Young Jun You:

About volunteering at Auckland (Central)

Who can volunteer

Our volunteers come from all walks of life, all ages and ethnic and religious backgrounds. We seek volunteers who have a mature, caring attitude and who are English speakers with advanced proficiency. Multilingual volunteers are especially encouraged to apply.

We would love to receive your online application if you meet these criteria and if you:

  • are aged 18 years of age or over
  • can commit to volunteering at least one 2-4 hour shift per week 
  • can commit to volunteering for 12 months or more
  • have no criminal history of violence, drug offences, sex offences, or crimes against children,
  • and if you are willing to obtain a criminal record check with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), and for some roles, a TB (Tuberculosis) and immunity check history, through a blood test
  • will declare a conflict of Interest, in case volunteering in the chosen volunteer role means having more than one reporting line (multi-jobbed or working in more than one District). The Volunteer Management will consider the context of the conflict of interest
  • are enrolled with a GP/Family Doctor
  • can contribute skills and experiences obtained from previous volunteer/work, or life experience relevant to the volunteer role, with referees able to attest to this.

Where you can volunteer

You can apply for the role of your choice, following an interview with one of the volunteer management staff, a role can be assigned to you based on your availability, skills and experience and in keeping with the hospital's priorities.

Volunteering as a pathway to a job

Unfortunately, volunteering will not assist you to secure a job at the hospital and we discourage applications from candidates whose motivation is to improve their career prospects. 

Volunteering application process

You can apply to volunteer for any of the roles with an 'apply now' button and complete the online application. 

The process involves:

  • an interview with the Volunteer Coordinator or Manager,
  • consenting for, or obtaining a criminal record check, 
  • signing a consent form to undergo a blood check here at one of our Hospital Laboratories,
  • reference checks.

After the recruitment screening:

  • you can expect an invitation for an induction, where we will talk to you about our health & safety regulations, emergency response and some of our role-specific information,
  • we will provide you with our organisation's ID badge and we will provide you with a uniform for the duration of your volunteering time with us,
  • you will be provided with a role-specific manual and receive training on the job,
  • we regularly organise team meetings and/or training days.

Corporate volunteering

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer short-term, single-day volunteering for groups or individuals.

However, if your volunteer involvement with us is based on a minimum of a year-long regular once-a-week commitment, then please reach out to the volunteer manager, email volunteers@adhb.govt.nz.

Volunteering as a part of high school community service or Duke of Edinburgh Award volunteer requirements

Due to the minimum age of 18 and the time commitment required, our volunteer program is not suitable for school community service or Duke of Edinburgh requirements.