CAN YOU VOLUNTEER FOR ST MICHAEL’S HOSPICE?

Have your children just started school or just left home?
Are you a student looking for work experience or wanting to improve your job prospects?
Are you about to retire or thinking about taking early retirement?
Have you been out of work and are now looking to join the workforce again?
Are you in full or part time employment and have a little time to spare?

IF YOUR ANSWER TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS IS YES – THEN WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP EACH OTHER

WHY VOLUNTEER FOR ST MICHAEL’S?

Most of us know that volunteering is a good thing to do. But there is so much more to be gained than just feeling good. Volunteering

can help to increase your confidence
can help you to use existing skill and develop new ones
adds variety and balance to your C.V.
can put structure into your week and use time purposefully
can help you to create useful contacts, make great friends and improve your social life
can help build your community
can gain you useful experience towards further training and career choices
means you can be a valued member of a team

All this, while enjoying a worthwhile and rewarding role, contributing to the quality of patients care.

Feeling valued and even – HAVING FUN!

WHAT KIND OF WORK CAN YOU DO?

Driving patients to and from the Hospice
Supporting Day Therapy by preparing drinks, talking with patients, taking part in quizzes or learning new creative skills
Gardening
Providing administrative support
Providing reception cover
Volunteering in one of our eight shops
Serving food and drinks in either our Hospice coffee shop or in our Pine Tree Restaurant
Helping to raise funds in the local community at any of our fundraising events, from fire walks to art exhibitions
Serving food and drinks to patients in the ward
Taking a trolley laden with goodies to all the patients
Accompanying patients to Hospital appointments
Reading to patients or writing letters for them.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT TRAINING IS REQUIRED?
All volunteers attend an Introduction Day where they learn about how the Hospice works and what it does. Attendance once a year for Health & Safety training is also required. All other training is undertaken ‘on the job’ by existing volunteers who were all new once so they know how you are feeling.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I GIVE?
This is entirely up to you. It can be helping occasionally at one-off events through to a regular commitment every week. The choice is yours.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE A VOLUNTEER EVEN THOUGH I CANNOT REGULARLY COMMIT MYSELF?
Of course, we operate a reserve bank of volunteers who are trained in a role they choose and then fill in for holidays and sickness.
I WANT TO HELP BUT I DON’T WANT TO COME INTO THE HOSPICE, CAN I DO THIS?
By volunteering in one of our shops you will provide much needed funding to support our patients and their needs. Or you could help out with our flag days or any other fundraising events that interest you.
ARE ANY SPECIAL SKILLS OR QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED TO BE A VOLUNTEER?
Some volunteers will have special skills and qualifications eg hairdressers and complementary therapists. But for most volunteer roles a committed and caring approach plus a willingness to learn will suffice.
ARE THERE ANY AGE LIMITS?
Volunteers are welcomed from the age of sixteen. Where they work at such a young age will be discussed and decided by the Voluntary Services Manager. There is no upper age limit, as long as volunteers are well and still able to play a full volunteering role.
WHAT SUPPORT IS THERE FOR VOLUNTEERS?
Volunteers are managed and supported firstly by the manager of the area where they work. Additionally they are supported by the Voluntary Services Manager.
WILL VOLUNTEERING EFFECT MY BENEFITS?
Volunteering will not effect any of your benefits as long as you are still actively seeking or ‘available for work’. We are happy to provide written confirmation of your volunteer status to the Benefits Agency.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

Step 1 Get in touch with Andrea Garrick, Voluntary Services Manager on 01424 445177, or email
Step 2 Come and have a tour of the Hospice to see where the volunteers are working and what they do. Meet the existing volunteers and ask them about their role.
Step 3 Complete an application form and return it
Step 4 Once your references have been taken up come in for an informal chat to see which area you would like to try first.
Step 5 Attend the Hospice Introduction Day and find out how it all works. Meet several members of staff and hear about their work.
Step 6 Commence volunteering and enjoy yourself.

For the majority of voluntary roles it is necessary to obtain a Disclosure Certificate from the Criminal Records Bureau but this will be discussed during the first meeting.