Volunteering opportunities for 16 and 17 year olds

Gain hands-on experience across our hospital sites while developing skills that will help you in study and future work. Our programme is a long-term commitment with a minimum of 100 hours. Shifts are 3 to 4 hours, usually with one or two shifts per week.

Volunteering with us gives you a supervised, hands-on role in a health and care setting. You’ll work alongside volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, developing communication skills, practical knowledge, and confidence. These are skills that will benefit future study or employment.

“It’s a privilege to support motivated young people as they grow through volunteering. They develop essential skills — communication, teamwork, and problem-solving — that last a lifetime. Whether they go on to medical school, train as an operating department practitioner, join our receptionist team, or become a clinical support worker, I’m proud of every volunteer who seizes the opportunities we provide.” Dani Norman, Head of Voluntary Services

Opportunities by age

16-year-olds: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm. Roles include patient trolley services, Endoscopy Unit, MY Café Dewsbury, and Volunteer Guides’ desk.
17-year-olds: Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm, in the role of Ward Befriender.

Joining the programme

Summer Cohort: Applications open in March. This is for students currently in Year 11 who are looking to begin volunteering after their GCSEs.
Entry to Year 12 Cohort: Applications open in Autumn to start volunteering in November/December.

We welcome all 16 to 17-year-olds, but priority is given to the target groups above.

Year 13 considerations

From experience, volunteering can become more difficult during Year 13 due to academic pressures, exams, and post-18 applications. As a result:

Our programme is best suited to those who can volunteer throughout Year 12.
We require a regular weekly commitment, so it is important that volunteers can balance this alongside their studies.

Next recruitment window: Summer Cohort 2026

The timeline for this intake is outlined below (further information will follow at each stage):

Recruitment window: 30 March to 17 April 2026
Applicants informed of outcome: Week commencing 11 May 2026
Welcome meeting: 29 May 2026 (date to be confirmed)
Induction meeting: early July 2026 (date to be confirmed)

What others have said

My volunteering experience has been going well and has fit well around my studies. My ambition is to continue to gain communication skills by talking with patients, which can really benefit and aid my future ambition path to go into the medical field. I would definitely recommend volunteering at Mid Yorks - Mia

On the first day I was quite nervous but when I met the other volunteers I instantly knew I would love it. They answered all my questions and explained everything, they were very friendly. The team co-ordinator arranged training for me over the school holidays and have helped me choose the best time during the weekend to volunteer. I would recommend volunteering at Mid Yorks. - Anna

I would certainly recommend volunteering at Mid Yorks. The staff are quick and efficient in getting you situated, and it is a genuinely wonderful way to make a difference in the days of those who feel vulnerable, even if that is by serving them tea or simply talking to them. In the future, I aspire to work in healthcare as a doctor or a nurse, so volunteering is a reliable and effective way to get insight into how hospitals and wards work, as well as allowing me to interact with patients and offer up a way to improve their day when life may feel a little bleak for them. I would certainly recommend volunteering at Mid Yorks. - Sienna

My volunteering experience has been great so far. I feel like I have settled in quickly and well, and all of the staff have been extremely helpful. It has fit in really well around college. My ambition is to study medicine in university, where I can then go on to work in a hospital. I would recommend volunteering at Mid Yorks as it a very friendly place, and a great opportunity to have. - Alistair

My ambitions are to give back to the community, by utilising my skills to provide care and aid to patients. I aspire to go into the nursing route, as I am highly passionate with child care. I would recommend volunteering at Mid Yorks, to those who want to have a feel in the health sector, and to those who are wanting to use their skills for the betterment of their healthcare environment. - Afeefah