Expert by Experience Volunteer (Paediatric Gastroenterology)
The closing date is 17 July 2026
Use your experience to make a difference. Have you, or a family member, lived with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)? Would you like to use that experience to support children, young people and families attending hospital appointments? We are looking for compassionate and enthusiastic volunteers to join our Paediatric Gastroenterology team at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as an Expert by Experience Volunteer.
This unique role is designed for individuals with personal or family experience of IBD who would like to help create a welcoming and supportive environment within our outpatient clinics. Working alongside our specialist nursing team, you will provide a listening ear, offer reassurance, share appropriate information and signpost families to relevant charities and support organisations.
Main duties of the job
As a volunteer, you will help families feel understood and supported as they navigate the challenges of living with IBD. Your insight and lived experience can make a real difference to a family’s hospital experience and help ensure that no one feels alone on their journey. We are looking for people who are approachable, empathetic and confident communicating with children, young people and families from a wide range of backgrounds. Volunteers should be able to listen without judgement, respect confidentiality and recognise when support from clinical staff is needed. This is a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the care and experience of patients and families, while helping to shape and improve paediatric gastroenterology services. There may also be opportunities to support patient and family engagement events, service improvement projects and research activities throughout the year. Full training, support and supervision will be provided, and you will become a valued member of our wider clinical and research community. By sharing your experience, you can help make a lasting difference to the lives of children and families living with IBD.
Person Specification
- Positive attitude to volunteering demonstrating understanding of the Trust Values and how these relate to a volunteer role
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
About us
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1,100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing ‘outstanding’ care to our patients and rated ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH’s values – Together – Safe, Kind, Excellent – are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people’s age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Reference number
180-V1-030726
Job locations
Addenbrookes Hospital – Voluntary Services
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