Royal Free Radio – Volunteering
Here at Royal Free Radio, we’re always pleased to hear from volunteers.
We are particularly interested in hearing from people who would like to become request collectors at Chase Farm, North Middlesex or the Royal Free. These volunteers are key to keeping Royal Free Radio on the air, in touch with patients and raising awareness of our service within the hospitals. Our request collectors spend a few hours one afternoon or early evening each week visiting the patients in the wards, having a chat and telling them about the request programmes on Royal Free Radio.
You don’t need to have a wide knowledge of music as most patients have a favourite they can tell you straight away.
Some patients don’t get many visitors, particularly during the afternoon when friends or family may be working or living too far away, or where restrictions are imposed for health and safety reasons, so our service is really appreciated and our request collectors always say it is rewarding to know you are helping others.
We are based at Chase Farm so most of our volunteers that cover Chase Farm and North Mid come from the Enfield or surrounding areas. However if you live nearer the Royal Free in Hampstead you may wish to join the Royal Free Charity’s own team of volunteers and help to collect requests from the wards there. Details of volunteering at the Royal Free can be found at royalfreecharity.org/get-involved.
We also have teams of volunteers back at the studio in Chase Farm and we are always happy to hear from those who wish to get involved behind the scenes there. This ranges from sorting requests, compiling “What’s On Locally” information, managing our music library or preparing for outside broadcasts, to those who wish to learn how to present their own shows. We are often invited to take part in events outside of the hospitals which are good for making external contacts. There is always plenty to do! Some of our previous volunteers have found their way into a career in radio.
All we ask is that you are over 18 years old, in good health, can spare a couple of hours at a regular time each week and are able to travel easily to Chase Farm or North Mid.
If you are interested in volunteering with Royal Free Radio, please visit our website royalfreeradio.co.uk and complete an application form.
All work is voluntary so please be patient when submitting an application as it may not always be possible to find a suitable role immediately.
(Please note that hospital regulations require DBS checking needs to be carried out on all volunteers).