hospital ward visitor volunteering questions

1. "Tell me a little about yourself."

"I'm currently studying with hopes of pursuing medicine, and I've been actively gaining experience working with people. I work as a tutor at Explore Learning helping children with maths and English, and I've been volunteering with Brownies for two years. Most significantly, I completed work experience here at Darent Valley Hospital in the paediatric unit and at a care home. Those experiences showed me how much difference small acts of kindness make to patients – whether that's a child being distracted during a blood test or an elderly resident just needing someone to listen. That's what draws me to this volunteer role – I want to give patients that time and attention that makes their hospital stay easier."

2. "Why do you want to volunteer specifically at a hospital ward?"

During my work experience here at Darent Valley, I saw how isolating hospital stays can be for patients. In the phlebotomy clinic, I helped distract a terrified 4-year-old during a blood test by asking about their dinosaur toy and comparing the test to 'a tiny dinosaur bite.' They calmed down completely.

At the care home, I learned that residents who had dementia, often just needed someone to sit and listen to their stories about their life. 

I want to volunteer on the wards because I can provide that same comfort – whether it's keeping someone company during a long wait, helping with small tasks, or just being a friendly face. Those small acts genuinely improve the patient experience.

3. "What relevant experience do you have?"

"I have three main experiences that prepared me for this role:

First, my paediatric work experience here at Darent Valley gave me direct insight into hospital environments. I observed consultations, supported nurses in phlebotomy by distracting anxious children, and learned about confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Second, my care home work experience taught me patience and how to communicate with vulnerable people – particularly residents with dementia who needed emotional support and companionship.

Third, through tutoring at Explore Learning and leading Brownies, I've developed strong communication skills and the ability to adapt my approach to different ages and personalities. I'm comfortable explaining things clearly, listening actively, and creating supportive environments.

All of these have taught me empathy, reliability, and how to work as part of a healthcare team while respecting professional boundaries.

What would you do if you encountered a patient who was upset or didn't want to talk?"

First, I'd respect their choice completely. Not everyone wants company when they're unwell, and that's absolutely fine. I'd politely let them know I'm available if they change their mind, then give them space.

If they were visibly distressed – crying or anxious – I'd gently ask if they're okay and if there's anything I can help with. I'd offer to get them water, adjust pillows, or call a nurse if needed.

From my care home experience, I learned that sometimes people just need a calm, non-intrusive presence. One resident was having a difficult day, so rather than pushing conversation, I sat nearby doing a quiet activity. After ten minutes, she actually initiated conversation herself because she no longer felt pressured.

The key is reading the situation, respecting boundaries, and understanding that sometimes just being there is enough. If they're upset about something beyond my scope – pain, bad news, family issues – I'd listen empathetically but know when to involve nursing staff for proper support."

5. "Can you give an example of when you showed compassion?"

"I tutor at Explore Learning, and I had a 9-year-old student who'd completely lost confidence in maths. She'd say 'I'm stupid at maths' and shut down before even trying.

I realized she needed her confidence back more than she needed to learn fractions. So I got to know her and discovered she loved animals and wanted to work at a zoo.

I completely changed my approach – instead of standard exercises, I created a scenario where she was the zoo manager. All the maths problems were about her zoo, like calculating animal food or designing enclosures.

After a couple of months, she stopped saying she was stupid and actually started asking for extra problems.

What that taught me was that compassion means understanding what someone really needs emotionally, not just what they're asking for. In a hospital, sometimes patients need someone who sees past the immediate situation and responds to what they actually need – whether that's company, distraction, or just feeling heard.

6. "How do you work as part of a team?"

I work well in teams because I'm flexible and communicate openly. At the care home, when Mrs. Thompson was agitated and refusing care while two other residents needed urgent attention, rather than everyone converging on her – which would have made her more anxious – I suggested I sit with her and chat while the senior carer handled the urgent situations. We kept each other updated with brief check-ins, and Mrs. Thompson eventually calmed down.

That taught me good teamwork means dividing responsibilities based on what each person does best, not everyone doing the same thing.

I'm also reliable – my manager at Explore Learning often asks me to cover extra sessions or support new tutors, and I always step in because that's what keeps teams functioning smoothly.

In a hospital setting, I see myself as part of the wider team – working alongside nurses and other volunteers – but often operating independently with patients. I understand when to work autonomously and when to seek guidance from qualified staff."

7. "What challenges might you face in this role, and how would you handle them?"

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The most challenging aspect will be the emotional side – seeing people in pain or distressed and knowing there's a limit to what I can do to help.

During my work experience in phlebotomy, there was a young girl who was extremely frightened about having blood taken – crying and shaking. I stayed with her trying to calm her, but seeing her so upset genuinely affected me emotionally.

What I've learned is that while empathy is essential, I need to maintain enough emotional distance to actually be helpful rather than becoming overwhelmed. The nurses showed me this – they were compassionate and patient, but stayed calm and focused, which was ultimately what the child needed.

I also know I'll face situations where I'm unsure what to do. But I'm comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance from staff – I'd much rather check than make assumptions. During my work experience, I always checked with nurses before suggesting approaches, because I knew they were the qualified professionals and I was there to support, not take over.

8. "How would you maintain patient confidentiality?"

"Confidentiality is absolutely fundamental in healthcare. Practically, that means never discussing anything I see or hear on the wards with anyone outside the hospital – not friends, family, or social media. Even seemingly innocent things like 'I met a lovely elderly man today' could identify someone.

It also means being mindful within the hospital – not discussing one patient with another patient, and being careful about conversations in public areas like corridors where others might overhear.

If a patient shared something concerning – like feeling unsafe at home – I would encourage them to speak with nursing staff, or explain I needed to share that information with their care team for their safety. But I wouldn't gossip or share information unnecessarily.

During my work experience, even though I was fascinated by what I saw, I never discussed specific patients' details. I understand breaching confidentiality can genuinely harm patients and destroy trust. If I was ever unsure, I'd ask the volunteer coordinator or nursing staff rather than making assumptions."

9. "What is your availability, and can you commit to regular shifts?"

I've thought carefully about what I can realistically commit to. Currently, I tutor at Explore Learning Thursday Evenings and Saturdays and lead Brownies on Monday from 6-7pm. Based on that, I could commit to volunteering Monday mornings and afternoons, Tuesdays, Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays (whole day)

I've successfully managed multiple commitments for two years – tutoring, Brownies, work experience, and studies – so I'm confident in my time management. I use my calendar to plan everything in advance and protect committed time slots.

I understand consistency is important – patients benefit from seeing familiar faces, and staff need reliable volunteers. If I genuinely couldn't make a shift due to illness or emergency, I'd notify the coordinator as early as possible.

I'm looking for a longer-term commitment because the real value comes from being a regular, familiar presence. I'm hoping to volunteer throughout [state your timeframe]."

10. "Do you have any questions for us?"

• "What does a typical ward visitor shift look like? Is there a structured routine, or does it vary depending on the ward's needs?"

• "What training or induction will I receive before starting, and will there be ongoing support?"

• "What do you find makes the most effective ward visitors? Is there anything volunteers commonly struggle with that I should be aware of?"

11. "What do you hope to gain from this experience?"

While I hope this will inform my future medical career, my main motivation is genuinely about making a difference to patients' experiences here.

That said, I do hope to develop my communication skills further – particularly learning how to adapt my approach to different ages and emotional states. During my work experience, I saw how staff adjusted their manner completely depending on who they were speaking to, and I'd love to develop that flexibility.

I also want to better understand the realities of working in a hospital – the teamwork, the challenges staff face, and how to stay compassionate even when it's busy and stressful.

And honestly, I find this work incredibly rewarding. When I helped calm that distressed child in phlebotomy, there was this sense of having made someone's difficult day just a bit better. That feeling is what motivates me

Describe a time you had to be flexible when dealing with a changing situation."

During my Brownies health badge programme, I'd carefully planned worksheets and educational talks for the girls. But two weeks in, they were completely disengaged – fidgeting, not absorbing anything.

Rather than stubbornly sticking to my plan, I asked the girls directly what actually interested them. They wanted cooking, sports, hands-on activities. So I completely reorganized – I arranged for a parent who's a nutritionist to do cooking sessions, organized gym visits, and turned learning into games and relay races.

The difference was incredible. All 24 girls completed the badge, compared to the usual 50-60%, and attendance actually increased.

What that taught me was that flexibility isn't about abandoning your goals – it's about recognizing when your approach isn't working and being willing to adapt to meet people's actual needs. In a hospital setting, I'd apply that same principle – being responsive to what patients need in the moment rather than sticking rigidly to a plan

13. "How do you ensure respect and inclusivity when working with diverse groups of people?"

I think respect starts with listening without judgment and recognizing that everyone's experience is different from mine.

During my work experience at Darent Valley, I saw incredible diversity – different cultures, languages, family structures. One consultation particularly stuck with me: a boy's mother couldn't speak English, so her son was translating medical information via phone. The doctor was so patient, speaking slowly, checking understanding multiple times, never showing frustration about the extra time it took. That showed me inclusivity often means adjusting your pace to ensure everyone feels heard, regardless of barriers.

At Brownies, we have girls from many different backgrounds – different religions, family situations, abilities. I make sure activities are accessible to everyone and that no child feels excluded or singled out.

In a ward setting, I'd apply these same principles – addressing patients directly regardless of their condition, being mindful of different cultural attitudes, respecting privacy and dignity, and never making assumptions based on someone's age, background, or condition."

15. "What are your values as a volunteer?" / "How would past supervisors or colleagues describe you?"

"I think my core values are compassion, reliability, and respect for others.

Compassion means genuinely caring about people's wellbeing and taking time to understand what they need emotionally, not just what they're asking for – like I learned with my student who needed confidence more than she needed fractions.

Reliability is crucial – when you commit to being there for people, you follow through. My manager at Explore Learning often comments that I'm dependable, and that's something I take seriously. People need to know they can count on you.

And respect means treating everyone with dignity, regardless of their condition or background. From my care home experience, I learned that respect means speaking directly to people even when they have dementia, giving them choices, and never discussing them as if they're not there.

If you asked my previous supervisors, I think they'd describe me as warm, conscientious, and adaptable. At the care home, staff thanked me for recognizing that sometimes less intervention works better with agitated residents. At Explore Learning, my manager values that I'm flexible and always willing to help when needed