Hospital Support

Royal Voluntary Service has been part of the NHS since its inception and we have partnered with HelpForce to scale up the number of volunteers helping in the NHS. We provide a wide range of services and support in hospitals which free up NHS staff time for patient care. Our thousands of hospital volunteers help improve older people’s experience in hospital, support their recovery and return home and reduce the chance of being re-admitted.

We also run hospital Meet and Greet services and are one of the UK’s largest hospital retailers, with over 200 volunteer-run Shops and Cafés and Trolley Services.

Hospital Shops and Cafés

Royal Voluntary Service runs cafés and shops in hospitals across Britain.

Meet and Greet

Royal Voluntary Service volunteers are on hand to help you during your visit to hospital.

On Ward Services

Volunteers provide companionship to patients during a hospital stay.

Patient Transport

Patient Transport provides travel to essential medical appointments.

Support Leaving Hospital

Volunteer support to help older people get back on their feet after a hospital stay.

Trolley Services

Volunteers provide great customer service on the move, taking trolleys with essentials around hospital wards.