FONE - Friends Of Nepean Emergency

What our volunteers do

Wearing bright red shirts that clearly identify them as volunteers, our team focuses primarily on supporting children and their parents, while also chatting with adult patients and relatives — especially the elderly. We hand out activity kits and teddy bears to children, tea and coffee to parents, patients and relatives, plus warm blankets, pillows, magazines or whatever else is needed.

Volunteering with us

There's no pressure — take holidays whenever you need to. Come on a weekly, fortnightly or as-needed basis, but we'd love it if you could commit to at least twice a month. A roster helps us coordinate shifts.

New volunteers are mentored by an experienced volunteer until they're comfortable working with a partner or on their own. It's rewarding and enjoyable work — though the Emergency Department can, at times, be a stressful environment.

Before you start

All new volunteers complete the following:

• An interview to assess suitability
• Vaccinations (e.g. Hep B, MMR) — free at the hospital
• A Working with Children Check — free, online
• A National Police Check — online, $15
• An Orientation and Mandatory Training booklet
• Fire training at the hospital, renewed every 12 months

The path to becoming a volunteer

1. Attend an interview — you'll then be sent some forms to fill out.
2. Start your vaccination checks early through the Staff Health Clinic at Nepean Hospital. Appointments can take a few weeks to come up, so don't delay.
3. Apply online for your Working With Children clearance — usually approved within a couple of hours (you may need to visit a Services Australia centre at Penrith, Glenmore Park or Springwood).
4. Apply online for a National Police Check — $15, reimbursable, usually ready in 2–3 days.
5. Complete the Orientation and Mandatory Training Workbook once your paperwork is in.
6. Wait for Conditional Clearance from the Staff Health Clinic, usually issued after your first Hep B vaccination — this is when you can start volunteering.
7. Receive your ID/security badge.

The process can take a little while, so we'd encourage you to call the Staff Health Clinic for an appointment as soon as you decide to go ahead.