top of page

Healthcare Interview Prep

NHS INTERVIEW PREPARATION

NHS INTERVIEW PREPARATION

NHS Volunteer Interview Questions and Answers

6 NHS roles · 40 practice questions with model answers for each · 8 free to read

Last updated 24 October 2026 · Created by a practising NHS doctor · Independent of the NHS

Quick answer

Is there an interview to volunteer in the NHS?

Most NHS trusts hold an informal interview or chat before you start volunteering. It is usually relaxed and focuses on why you want to volunteer, when you are free and how you would treat patients and visitors. It also helps the volunteer team match you to the right role. Some national programmes use online applications and checks instead of a face-to-face chat.

At a glance

  • Roles covered: 6 NHS Volunteer roles
  • Questions per role: 40 original practice questions, each with a full model answer
  • Free to read: the first 8 questions and answers for every role
  • Full bank: £2.99 per role, 12 months of access, no subscription
  • Independent: not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHS

Volunteering in the NHS is a lovely way to give something back, build confidence or test whether a healthcare career suits you. Most NHS volunteer services hold an informal interview or a friendly chat before you start. It is rarely a grilling, but it helps to have thought about why you want to volunteer and how you would treat patients and visitors.

This guide covers how NHS volunteer interviews usually work, the kinds of questions you might be asked and how to answer them in your own words. Each volunteer role on Healthcare Interview Prep has 40 original practice questions with model answers, with the first 8 free. We are independent and not part of the NHS, so always follow the guidance from your local trust's volunteering team.

 

How do NHS volunteer interviews work?

Most people apply through their local NHS trust's volunteering page, a hospice or a national programme such as NHS Volunteer Responders. You fill in a short form saying which roles interest you and when you are available. The volunteer services team then invites you to an informal interview, which may be in person, by phone or on a video call.

The conversation usually covers your motivation, your availability, how you get on with people and how you would handle simple situations, such as a lost or upset visitor. You are not expected to have any healthcare knowledge. Before you start, the trust will carry out checks, which commonly include references, an occupational health questionnaire and a DBS check for many roles. You will then complete induction and mandatory training on topics like safeguarding, infection control and confidentiality.

Minimum ages vary by trust and by role. Some young volunteer schemes welcome people from their mid-teens, while roles on wards or in end of life care often have a higher minimum age. Check with your trust before applying.

 

What questions are asked in NHS volunteer interviews?

These are typical themes in NHS volunteer conversations, not leaked or guaranteed questions. Different trusts ask different things, but thinking about these will help you feel ready.

  • Motivation: "Why would you like to volunteer with the NHS?"
  • Commitment: "How much time could you give each week, and for how long?"
  • Communication: "How would you help a visitor who is lost and getting upset?"
  • Kindness and dignity: "How would you make a lonely patient feel more comfortable?"
  • Boundaries: "A patient asks you to help them out of bed. What would you do?"
  • Confidentiality: "A neighbour asks whether someone they know is on your ward. How would you respond?"
  • Safeguarding: "What would you do if a patient told you something that worried you?"
  • Teamwork: "How would you work alongside busy staff without getting in the way?"
  • Equality and respect: "How would you treat people whose views or backgrounds are very different from yours?"

 

How should you answer NHS volunteer interview questions?

Be yourself and be honest. If you want to volunteer because a relative was cared for well, or because you are thinking about nursing, say so. Short real examples from school, work, caring for family or community groups work well. You can use STAR (situation, task, action, result) loosely to keep a story clear.

The biggest thing panels listen for is that you understand the limits of a volunteer role. Volunteers do not give clinical care, move patients or share information. A good answer often ends with "I'd let a member of staff know straight away." Mentioning the NHS values, such as compassion, respect and dignity, and everyone counts, shows you have done some reading.

 

What standards and topics should you revise?

  • The NHS values in the NHS Constitution and what they look like on a ward or reception desk.
  • Confidentiality: never discussing patients outside the role, even with friends or on social media.
  • Safeguarding basics: recognising concerns and passing them to staff, not investigating yourself.
  • Infection prevention: hand hygiene and staying away when you are unwell.
  • Knowing your boundaries: what volunteers can and cannot do in your chosen role.

 

Roles covered in this sector

This sector covers NHS volunteer roles in hospitals, wards and the community, from meet-and-greet and patient experience roles to end of life and chaplaincy support, ambulance and community volunteering, young volunteer schemes and NHS Volunteer Responders. Choose your role below to see its practice questions.

All 6 NHS Volunteer question banks

 

How should you prepare for the interview day?

  • Check which role you have applied for and what it involves.
  • Think about your availability and be honest about it.
  • Prepare one or two examples of helping or caring for someone.
  • Bring photo ID and any documents the volunteer team asked for.
  • Have contact details ready for your referees.
  • Prepare a question to ask, such as what training you will receive.

 

Frequently asked questions

Is there an interview to volunteer in the NHS?

Most NHS trusts hold an informal interview or chat before you start volunteering. It is usually relaxed and focuses on why you want to volunteer, when you are free and how you would treat patients and visitors. It also helps the volunteer team match you to the right role. Some national programmes use online applications and checks instead of a face-to-face chat.

What age can you volunteer in the NHS?

It depends on the trust and the role. Some young volunteer programmes accept people from their mid-teens, while ward-based or end of life roles often have a higher minimum age. The best approach is to check your local trust's volunteering page or contact the volunteer services team directly, as rules and available roles vary across the country.

Do NHS volunteers need a DBS check?

Many NHS volunteer roles need a DBS check, especially those involving direct contact with patients, children or adults who may be vulnerable. The level of check depends on the role. Trusts normally arrange and pay for it. You will also usually need references and to complete an occupational health questionnaire before you start.

What should I say when asked why I want to volunteer in the NHS?

Give an honest, personal reason and link it to the role. You might want to give back after a good experience of care, build confidence or explore a healthcare career. Add what you hope to offer, such as patience, a friendly manner or reliability. Keep it short and genuine rather than reciting a prepared speech.

Does NHS volunteering help you get a paid job?

It can help. Volunteering gives you real examples of working with patients and teams, a better understanding of how the NHS works and possibly a reference. It does not guarantee a job, and paid roles have their own recruitment process, but many people find it strengthens their applications and interview answers.

Which NHS Volunteer roles are covered?

Healthcare Interview Prep covers 6 NHS Volunteer roles, including Community & Ambulance Volunteer, End of Life & Chaplaincy Volunteer, Hospital & Ward Volunteer, NHS Volunteer Responder, Patient Experience & Meet and Greet Volunteer and Young Volunteer (16–25). Each role has its own bank of 40 original practice questions with model answers, and the first 8 are free to read.

How much does it cost to practise NHS Volunteer interview questions?

The first 8 questions and model answers for every NHS Volunteer role are free, and this sector guide is free to read. You can unlock the rest of a role's question bank for £2.99 as a one-off payment, with 12 months' access and no subscription.

 

Start practising for free

Every NHS role above has 40 original practice questions with full model answers. The first 8 are free to read. You can unlock the rest of a role's bank for £2.99, with 12 months' access and no subscription.

 

Other NHS sectors

 

Healthcare Interview Prep is an independent NHS interview preparation website. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the NHS. Questions are original practice questions, not official or leaked interview questions.

Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.

bottom of page