Volunteering

Thank you for your interest in volunteering.

As an organisation working with vulnerable patients, it is important for us to have a robust recruitment process. The recruitment process can take 2-3 months to complete.

Please note that we require at least 6 months commitment from our volunteers due to the number of checks that we are required to undertake.

The recruitment process requires:

Completion of:

• an application form
• occupational health questionnaire which will be followed by attendance at an occupational health appointment (at St Woolos, Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr or Nevill Hall Hospital)
• reference checks (not necessary for therapy dog volunteers as these will already have been taken up)

Signing of a:

• role description
• confidentiality agreement
• statement of expectations

Providing documents for:

• an immigration, identity and signature check
• a DBS (police check) – if appropriate

Having a photograph taken for:

• an ID badge (which will need to be worn when on duty as a volunteer)

For therapy dog volunteers only:

• Joining either Pets as Therapy or Therapy Dogs Nationwide (annual membership fee applicable)

Completing their assessment process for your dog.

For more specific volunteering information, please click here.

Bursaries

NHS Bursaries for eligible student nurses, midwives and allied health professionals will continue to be available in Wales in 2018/19.

The bursary will be based upon individuals committing in advance to taking up the opportunity to work in Wales, post qualification, for a period of two years.

Work Experience

Why is Work Experience Important?

We know that Work Experience is helpful for improving your CV and employment opportunities, but is also important to us at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. We think it’s so important that we nurture our future workforce and welcome you as potential work experience candidates to join us to get an understanding of our work and to be inspired to consider us for your future employment.

We have a huge range of careers throughout the Health Board…more than you may think!

What is Work Experience Like at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB)?

Work Experience is all about observing many of the different roles throughout the Health Board and getting a sense of what it’s like to work with us.

Work Experience at ABUHB is usually observing and shadowing staff within your chosen area which will help you to get to know and understand the work and the staff.

Placements are usually:

• A 1- or 2-week block
• An extended placement such as 1 or 2 days a week over an extended period – usually as part of a course

There are many areas throughout Aneurin Bevan Health Board that are available for work experience.

These are:

• Health & Safety
• Health Records
• Planning
• Pharmacy
• Radiology
• Pathology
• Microbiology
• Haematology
• Cellular Pathology
• Primary Care
• Theatres
• Orthoptics
• Patient Centred Care
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Medicine
• Facilities
• Works & Estates
• Paediatric Nursing
• Physiotherapy
• Psychology & Therapies
• Psychiatry
• Mental Health
• Inpatients
• Community Dental
• Workforce and Organisational Development

If the area you would like to experience Work Experience isn’t listed here, please apply as the areas are constantly being added to, and we can look to accommodate your request as best we can.

However, please note that some areas have conditions that may mean that your request will not be able to be granted. Our team will work with you to find you an alternative placement if this is the case.

Who Can Apply for Work Experience at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB)?

Work experience is traditionally aimed at young people, in Years 10-12 of education. However, opportunities are also offered to members of our surrounding communities who may be thinking of a future career at ABUHB.

If you’re in school or college or need a work-based learning placement as part of a course, Work Experience at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is for you!

Other reasons for applying for Work Experience could include:

• Observations required for entry onto a course
• Practice placements for under-graduates

At Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, our work follows our Values and Behaviours:

• People First
• Personal Responsibility
• Passion for Improvement
• Pride in What We Do

As a Work Experience candidate, in whatever area you would like to observe, you will be able to see these values in action and gain valuable insight into our work.

What Will You Gain From Work Experience?

As well as gaining a range of experience and development of knowledge about the Health Board, you will also:

• Improve your communication skills
• Gain valuable experience in a hospital setting
• Gain a better understanding for your future employment and add valuable skills to your CV
• Open doors to future opportunities and make contacts and connections
• Widen your horizons of choices and decide if a career with Aneurin Bevan Health Board is for you!

Before Thinking About Applying for Work Experience With Us…

• Have a think about what sort of placement you would like and in what area. It’s fine if you don’t know as we can help you
• Think about whether you have any support or access requirements and let us know when you apply.

How to Apply

Applying for Work Experience with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is easy.

Click here to take you straight to our Application Form.

As you move through the application process, we will source your placement for you!

Our Work Experience Brochure may help you further if you are thinking of applying for Work Experience at Aneurin Bevan Health Board.

If you’ve got any questions, please email us at ABB.WorkExperience@wales.nhs.uk

We look forward to receiving your application!

Endorsement from Sarah Simmonds – Director of Workforce and Organisational Development

Work Experience is so important to us here at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, as it is a fantastic way for our potential future colleagues to gain valuable insight into many of the vast careers that we offer throughout all our departments.

We know that work experience offers huge benefits to candidates, but we gain so much too. Not only can we provide opportunities to showcase the many different roles involved in providing health care, we also have an invaluable opportunity to attract and nurture our future workforce.

At Aneurin Bevan University Health Board we want to actively engage with and inspire young people and adults from our surrounding communities to consider a role within our Organisation and to provide opportunities to observe day-to-day life and the skills involved in working with us. It is so rewarding for us to support the discovery and development of our potential future workforce, and to be able to showcase the vital work we do across our broad range of roles and departments.

I would encourage anyone considering a role in health care to contact us – we take pride in the work we do at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and we have a responsibility to make sure that we continue to develop our workforce, across all areas of health care, for future generations. Work experience is one of the great ways that we are able to do this.

We look forward to welcoming you.