This episode of Volunteering Discovery explores how James Paget University Hospital creates inclusive volunteering opportunities. Volunteer Coordinator John Gilligan shares how the team supports people with learning disabilities through flexible training and tailored roles.

We also hear from Casey and Adam, two volunteers who talk about why they got involved, the challenges they overcame, and the difference volunteering makes for patients and staff.

If you’re curious about volunteering in health and social care—or how to make it accessible—this episode is full of practical tips and inspiring stories.

To find out more about volunteering at the James Paget University Hospital Volunteer | James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Contact the Volunteering Discovery team: [email protected]

Produced for Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System by Hospital Radio Norwich.

This is part 2 of our look at the evaluation of the Norfolk and Waveney Volunteering for Health programme. This episode explores how evaluation helps shape and sustain volunteering in health. Daniel Schaffer (Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board) and Sally Dyson (Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) share insights on using data and collaboration to improve services, secure funding, and show volunteers the impact of their work. Through the conversations we consider how from planning to storytelling, evaluation proves vital in building meaningful, lasting change.

To learn more about the Volunteering for Health programme in Norfolk and Waveney, visit https://improvinglivesnw.org.uk/volunteering-for-health-norfolk-and-waveney/

Get in touch; [email protected]

Volunteering Discovery is produced by Hospital Radio Norwich for Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System.

In this first part of our special on evaluating Volunteering for Health in Norfolk and Waveney, we meet Dr. Jurgen Grotz (Institute for Volunteering Research at the University of East Anglia) to discuss how we measure the impact of volunteering in health and care. We explore why evaluation matters, how to define success, and the importance of collaboration and respect for volunteers throughout the process.

Institute for Volunteering Research: https://www.uea.ac.uk/groups-and-centres/institute-for-volunteering-research

Volunteering for Health in Norfolk and Waveney: https://improvinglivesnw.org.uk/volunteering-for-health-norfolk-and-waveney/

Volunteering Discovery: [email protected]

In this episode of Volunteering Discovery, we explore Get InVOLved Skills—a new online platform designed to support volunteers and voluntary sector professionals across Norfolk and Waveney with high-quality, accessible training.

Our guests are Laura Holland (Voluntary Norfolk) shares the inspiration behind the platform, its features, and how it’s helping organisations and individuals grow. Lynn Fanning (Norfolk and Waveney ICB) discusses how the platform is being used to deliver practical training to unpaid carers and volunteers, including topics like hydration, malnutrition, and hospital discharge.

Whether you're a volunteer, a carer, or someone who supports them, this episode offers insights into how digital tools are making learning more inclusive, flexible, and impactful.

Explore the platform: getinvolvedskills.org.uk

Contact for training enquiries: [email protected]

Feedback on training sessions: [email protected]

Volunteering Discovery is produced by Hospital Radio Norwich for Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System.

The Get Involved Innovation Fund provides small financial awards and advice and guidance for organisations to test new approaches to involving volunteers. It is a core part of the Volunteering for Health programme in Norfolk and Waveney. In this episode we meet Cata Parrish at Voluntary Norfolk who tells us what the fund is and what to expect from the application process. And we meet Rik Martin at Community Action Norfolk who fills us in on what support organisations can expect.

To find out more about the fund visit https://www.getinvolvedskills.org.uk/get-involved-innovation-fund

To get in touch with the Volunteering Discovery team contact [email protected]

Volunteering Discovery is produced by Hospital Radio Norwich for Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System.

Volunteering for Health is an exciting national programme and Norfolk and Waveney are one of 15 partnerships involved. In this episode we meet Nicky Stainton at Voluntary Norfolk who tells us all about what is underway in Norfolk and Waveney. Then we hear from Samantha Hartles at NHS Charities Together who shares the background and ambitions for this fantastic initiative.

To find out more about Volunteering for Health in Norfolk and Waveney visit https://improvinglivesnw.org.uk/volunteering-for-health-norfolk-and-waveney/

To get in touch with the Volunteering Discovery or Volunteering for Health team, contact [email protected]

Volunteering Discovery is produced by Hospital Radio Norwich for Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System.

As featured in previous episodes, Volunteer to Career is a fantastic enhanced volunteering experience. Volunteers have the chance to gain first hand experience in a health and care setting, receive career mentoring and make a difference at the same time.

In this episode we hear first hand from two people what it was like to get involved with Volunteer to Career. Ginette took part as a volunteer, and shares why she signed up and the value it offered. And we meet Laura Holder, the Practice Manager at Ludham and Stalham Green Surgeries who set up the programme that Ginette participated in.

To get in touch: [email protected]

To find out more about Volunteer to Career visit: https://improvinglivesnw.org.uk/volunteering-volunteer-to-career/

Volunteering Discovery is produced by Hospital Radio Norwich for Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System.

Hosted by Sarah Briggs

Producer: Jules Alderson.

In the final episode of season one of Volunteering Discovery we are getting creative and meeting the team who support people to Drop in and Draw with the Norfolk Library and Information Service. We hear why the sessions provide much more than a space for artistic endeavours. Volunteer Alison shares why her creative skills aren't the only ones she puts to good use in the group. And Katherine explains why libraries are the perfect place for sessions like Drop in and Draw.

To find out more about volunteering with the Norfolk and Library Information Service visit https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/article/42712/Volunteering-at-Norfolk-libraries

To get in touch with the Volunteering Discovery team contact [email protected]

Volunteering Discovery is produced by Hospital Radio Norwich for Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System.

In this episode of Volunteering Discovery we meet the buggy service team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn. Set up after receiving feedback, the buggy service volunteers make it easier to get from the car park to the hospital itself, taking away the difficulty of walking up one of the few hills in Norfolk. Volunteer Adrian explains why there is much more to the role than driving, and Jo shares the response from patients and visitors.

To find out more about volunteering at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn, visit https://www.qehkl.nhs.uk/volunteering.asp?s=careers&p=volunteering

To get in touch [email protected]

Volunteering Discovery is produced by Hospital Radio Norwich volunteers for Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System.

Volunteer to Career is an enhanced volunteering programme which aims to support people interested in a health and care career to take their first steps. In this bonus episode, producer Jules speaks to Ben Chandler about Volunteer to Career. They discuss why the programme focuses on volunteering in primary care settings such as doctors surgeries and what a volunteer can expect from getting involved.

To find out more about Volunteer to Career visit https://improvinglivesnw.org.uk/volunteering-volunteer-to-career/

Get in touch with Volunteering Discovery contact [email protected]

Volunteering Discovery is a Hospital Radio Norwich production for NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System.