At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive patients to medical appointments, providing comfort and support.
- Company: Join EMED Group, the largest Patient Transport partner to the NHS.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, mileage reimbursement, meal expenses covered, and training provided.
- Other info: Gain valuable experience in healthcare and support services.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while meeting amazing people.
- Qualifications: Valid UK driving licence, friendly nature, and basic smartphone skills.
Could You Spare a Few Hours to Change Someone's Life? For many people in our community, getting to a medical appointment isn't straightforward. Without the right support, something as simple as a routine check-up can feel impossible. That's where you come in.
We're looking for warm, friendly people in and around Cambridge to volunteer as Volunteer Drivers alongside our Patient Transport Service. No prior experience required, just you, your car, and a few hours of your time making a genuine difference to someone who really needs it.
What Does It Involve?
You'll be giving patients a safe, comfortable, and friendly ride to and from their medical appointments. The kind of patients you would typically drive would include patients receiving renal dialysis, the elderly and those attending outpatient appointments. For many of the people you'll meet, you won't just be their driver, you'll be the reassuring face that makes a stressful day feel a little more manageable.
You choose when you're available, and we'll match journeys to fit around you. Whether that's one morning a week or a few days a month, every trip you make matters and supports the NHS.
Why Volunteers Love It
- You set your own availability (complete flexibility around your life)
- Mileage reimbursement of 55p per mile
- Meal expenses covered – up to £7.50
- Full induction, training, and ongoing support from a friendly team
- A genuine sense of purpose and connection in your local community
- The chance to meet a wide range of people and hear their stories
Other benefits include: A greater understanding of the NHS and how patient transport services operate, demonstrable experience working with vulnerable people, which is highly valued in healthcare, social care, support work and emergency services roles.
You will need:
- A valid UK driving licence with no more than 6 penalty points
- A minimum 4-door vehicle
- A friendly, caring and reliable nature
- Basic smartphone skills to coordinate with our team
- A willingness to represent our values with every journey
Ready to Get Involved?
After you apply, a member of our team will contact you to go through a simple screening process to learn more about your background, discuss the role in more detail and give you an opportunity to ask questions about the role. If suited, we’ll invite you to a face-to-face meeting where we’ll check your car, review your documents and explain the next steps. From there, we’ll arrange your online training, help you complete a DBS check and make sure you’re confident and ready to begin. Please be aware that this role will be subject to several regulatory pre-employment checks, including references and DBS which could take 4 to 8 weeks.
About Us
The exciting merger of ERS Medical and E-Zec Medical has enabled us to rebrand, therefore as a combined business we are now known as EMED Group. We are the largest Patient Transport and Care Partner to the NHS with circa 4,000 colleagues across 60 depots. Our ambition is to continue developing patient care transport services that improve the health and wellbeing for people across our local communities by providing transport that supports patient care, community support, secure mental health and medical courier services.
EMED Group are committed to providing services for our patients, service users, clients, and community and is supported by employees with an increasing variety of backgrounds. To do this effectively it is essential that we promote equality and embrace diversity and inclusion and treat all of our employees, patients, service users and clients with dignity and respect.
EMED Group is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination, with our aim being to be truly representative of all sections of society and our clients, and for each employee to feel respected, valued and able to give their best. EMED Group are committed to providing equal opportunities and we endeavour to provide an inclusive and safe working culture for all.
Volunteer Car Driver in Keynsham employer: EMED Group
EMED Group is an excellent employer for those looking to make a real impact in patient care. With a strong commitment to employee development, we offer comprehensive training and flexible evening shifts that allow you to balance work and personal life while contributing to the well-being of our community in Cambridge. Our supportive work culture fosters compassion and teamwork, making it a fulfilling environment for all staff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Car Driver in Keynsham
✨Dive Into Local Healthcare Volunteering
Get proactive and check out local hospitals, clinics, or charities that are in need of volunteers. Many healthcare facilities have dedicated volunteer coordinators who are ready to chat with you about opportunities and what skills they’re looking for. Approach them in person if you can – a friendly face might just help you land that spot!
✨Join Nursing and Healthcare Communities
Being part of nursing and healthcare forums or social media groups can open doors to volunteer opportunities. Engage in discussions, share your passion for patient care, and mention you’re looking for volunteering roles. It’s a great way to network and stay updated on any seasonal openings that might pop up.
✨Leverage School Resources
If you’re in nursing school or a similar programme, tap into your university’s career services. Many institutions have partnerships with local healthcare providers that offer volunteer placements specifically for students. This can give you an edge and help build a network in the field while you’re still studying.
✨Keep an Eye on Community Events
Don’t forget about community health fairs or service days where you can volunteer! These events are excellent for hands-on experience and can introduce you to potential mentors in the field. Participate actively and show off your enthusiasm for patient care – it could lead to more structured volunteering roles down the line.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Car Driver in Keynsham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Compassion and Motivation:In the nursing and patient care field, showing your compassion is key! Make sure your cover letter reflects why you want to volunteer with EMED Group. Share personal experiences or stories that inspire you to care for others. This will help demonstrate your genuine motivation to help patients.
Relevant Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any health-related certificates or training, like first aid or CPR, shout about them! Include these on your CV to show you're ready to jump in and support patients effectively. It adds that extra sparkle to your application for a volunteer role in patient care!
Tailor Your CV to Patient Care and Volunteering:When you're crafting your CV, focus on relevant experience, even if it’s not directly in nursing. Mention any volunteer work or caregiving roles, and highlight transferable skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork. This shows EMED Group that you can fit right in and make a difference.
Express Your Willingness to Learn:As a volunteer, it’s crucial to show that you’re eager to learn and grow. In your application, mention any specific skills you’re keen to develop through this role. This helps EMED Group see you not just as a warm body, but as an enthusiastic team player who’s ready to absorb knowledge!
How to prepare for a job interview at EMED Group
✨Brush Up on Patient Care Skills
Make sure we highlight our experience with patient care scenarios, as this is vital for nursing roles. Be ready to discuss specific examples where we've shown empathy, communication, and problem-solving skills while working with patients—it's all about demonstrating how we can provide comfort and support.
✨Know the Basics of Healthcare Protocols
Familiarise ourselves with basic healthcare protocols and safety measures. Volunteering in a nursing environment means we might be asked how we would handle situations in line with these protocols, so showing we understand the importance of hygiene and patient confidentiality can really set us apart.
✨Show Your Commitment to Volunteering
Volunteering isn't just about the experience; it's about our passion for helping others. Be prepared to articulate why we want to volunteer in nursing specifically—it's a great chance for us to showcase our motivation and willingness to learn alongside professionals in the field.
✨Prepare for Situational Questions
We can expect situational questions that might ask how we'd respond in challenging scenarios. Think of examples from our past that show resilience and teamwork, as these are essential qualities in nursing. Practice articulating how we would approach these situations while staying calm and supportive.
