We offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities to suit you depending on your skills, experience and interests. We will add new opportunities here when they become available. If there isn’t anything listed that interests you, why not call Louise Dryden our People Services Co-ordinator to talk about your own ideas for volunteering? Give her a call on 01900 873173.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Retail Assistants
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help in our shops.
Location:
Cockermouth
Workington
Hours:
To be agreed with the Retail Manager. Generally, a minimum of four hours per week on a rota system.

Read more about this role
Would you like to become one of our amazing retail volunteers? We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help in our shops.
Role:
Retail Assistants
Responsible to:
Retail Manager
Overall Objective:
To undertake general front of shop duties, contributing to the effective and efficient running of the charity’s retail service
Location:
Cockermouth
Workington
Hours:
To be agreed with the Retail Manager. Generally, a minimum of 4 hours per week on a rota system
Skills required:
Good customer service and communication skills
Good organisational skills
Work well as part of a team
Basic numeracy, literacy and IT skills
Reliability and flexibility essential
Positive and friendly attitude.
This is a voluntary position where no pay will be given, however it is our policy to pay reasonable expenses such as travel and associated costs.
Roles are subject to a one-month trial.
Key Responsibilities:
Customer service:
Talk to customers and welcome them into the shop in a polite and friendly manner
Receive donations brought into the shop
Encourage donors to gift aid donations and assist with completion of relevant forms
Help customers with any enquiries they may have
Maintain good relationships with our neighbouring shops
Front of shop:
Assist customers with purchases
Perform money transactions using a till
Answer telephone calls in a polite and friendly manner and communicate any messages to the right department
Restock shelves and display goods in an attractive manner
Health and Safety:
Ensure the shop is kept clean, tidy and free from hazards
Adhere to the organisations health and safety procedures
Undertake health and safety as required
General:
Respect the confidentiality of any information held in relation to past or present patients, carers, staff and other volunteers.
Undertake mandatory training via eLearning and any other training specific to the role.
Always act in accordance with the values and behaviours of Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reception
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to be the first point of contact at our Therapy and Information Centre and to provide information on all the Hospice at Home West Cumbria services.
For this role you need:
good oral and written communication skills
good listening skills
customer service and administration experience
use of IT including Microsoft Office (training can be provided to refresh skills if required).

Read more about this role
Role:
Finkle Street Reception Volunteer
Responsible to:
Facilities and Compliance Supervisor
Overall Objective:
To be the first point of contact at our Therapy and Information Centre and to provide information on all the Hospice at Home West Cumbria services.
Location:
10 Finkle Street, Workington, CA14 2BB
Hours:
Volunteer rota system of 3.5 hour shifts per day. Numbers and days of shifts to be agreed between volunteer and supervisor.
Current availability:
Monday: 9am - 12:30pm
Tuesday: 12:30pm - 4pm
Friday: 12:30pm - 4pm
Skills required:
No volunteering experience is required however the below skills are essential:
good oral and written communication skills
good listening skills
customer service and administration experience
experience of using IT systems including Microsoft Office (training can be provided to refresh skills if required).
This is a voluntary position where no pay will be given, however travel expenses can be refunded and out of pocket expenses as agreed with Supervisor.
Roles are subject to a one-month trial.
Key responsibilities:
To be the first point of contact for all visitors to the building providing a warm and friendly welcome
To answer all telephone enquiries and email, then direct them to the relevant department
To provide relevant information about Hospice at Home West Cumbria services, face-to-face, over the telephone or via email
Provide administrative support to Hospice at Home West Cumbria staff as and when required
Complete daily checklist of tasks
General:
Respect the confidentiality of any information held in relation to past or present patients, carers, staff and other volunteers.
Undertake mandatory training via eLearning and any other training specific to the role.
Always act in accordance with the values and behaviours of Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
You will be required to obtain a Standard DBS check – the cost of this will be refunded by Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Collection Box Volunteer
Role: Collection Box Volunteer
Responsible to: Partnerships & Fundraising Coordinator
Collection boxes are one of the ways our charity receives money. Aside from the financial gain, the boxes also serve as excellent advertising. In this role you would be responsible for the collection of our collection boxes within your allocated area.
Location: From Maryport to Millom – you will be given your allocated area.
Hours: Generally to take care of your collection boxes as and when needed.

Read more about this role
Skills required:
Good organisation skills and able to follow instructions
Friendly, polite and professional approach when dealing with public, supporters and businesses
Confidence in collecting and handling money
Ability to work both independently and within a team
Sound knowledge of the area in which you are collecting
Social and confident skills
In this community-spirited volunteer role, your support will include getting involved in these activities:
Getting out and about to display our collection boxes in your local community.
Emptying and banking funds in the collection boxes, meaning you can see how much money you have helped raise.
Networking with organisations to share our cause and encourage them to display our collection boxes.
What’s involved?
Obtain list of boxes in your allocated area
Work through the list collecting as many as possible and highlighting any missed boxes
Complete the ‘collection box receipt’ with all relevant details and provide to staff at the designated location
Either bank the money yourself or return boxes to our head office or arrange collection
Maintaining contact with the Engagement and Data Co Ordinator for passing on any relevant information and new materials required, e.g. collection boxes, box seals, box labels etc.
What’s in it for you?
Enjoyment of meeting a variety of new people
Gaining new skills and experiences
Opportunity for others to learn and benefit from your skills and experiences
A huge sense of satisfaction in knowing you are helping others and making a difference
Acknowledgement that Hospice at Home West Cumbria would not be able to offer the services to families without the commitment of volunteers
This is a voluntary position where no pay will be given, however it is our policy to pay reasonable expenses such as travel and associated costs.
Roles are subject to a one month trial.
General:
1. Respect the confidentiality of any information held in relation to past or present patients, carers, staff and other volunteers.
2. Undertake mandatory training via eLearning and any other training specific to the role.
3. Always act in accordance with the values and behaviours of Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fundraising
Role: Fundraising Volunteer
Responsible to: Marketing and Fundraising Team
Overall Objective: To be part of our fundraising team to help raise invaluable funds for Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
Location: Hospice at Home West Cumbria’s area covers Maryport to Millom and surrounding villages. The exact area to be covered will be dependent on the specific role and/or fundraising event. This will be agreed between the volunteer and Marketing and Income Generation Team Member.
Hours: To be agreed between the volunteer and Marketing and Income Generation Team Member.

Read more about this role
Skills required:
You will be able to communicate effectively and efficiently.
You will be able to work well within a team environment and work using your own initiative.
You will be reliable and committed to the organisation.
This is a voluntary position where no pay will be given, however travel expenses can be refunded and out of pocket expenses as agreed with the Line Manager.
Key Responsibilities:
To support our fundraising staff in the office and/or at external community events – this will be on an ad-hoc basis and could include any of the following upon agreement with fundraising staff:
· Setting up & taking down of equipment required for events.
· Attending events to run fundraising stalls/activities.
· Marshalling.
· Store or street collections.
· Selling raffle tickets.
· Distributing and managing collection boxes – including counting and banking of money and sending receipts.
· Helping with in house mailings and distributions of posters and flyers.
· Crafting.
· Baking.
· Face painting.
· Bag packing.
· Entertaining.
· Any other duties as considered appropriate to the volunteering role.
As a fundraising volunteer, we would be delighted if you were to organise your own fundraising events. This would include:
· Producing promotional material to promote the event (support from Hospice can be provided).
· Sourcing prizes for raffles, if necessary. Letter can be obtained from Hospice for this.
· Arranging the logistics for the event for example, who, what, where, when.
· Handling of money.
· Banking of money unless other arrangements have been made with the Fundraising team.
General:
1. Respect the confidentiality of any information held in relation to past or present patients, carers, staff and other volunteers.
2. Undertake mandatory training via eLearning and any other training specific to the role.
3. Always act in accordance with the values and behaviours of Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
Bereavement Cafe Co-ordinator
Role: Bereavement Cafe Co-ordinator
Responsible to: Family & Bereavement Services Team Leader
Overall Objective: To provide support to the Bereavement Cafés and link between the cafes' volunteers and the FABS Team Leader.
Location: Cleator Moor and/or Cockermouth and/or Whitehaven. Possibly other locations.
Hours: 2-3 hours per week (negotiable)

Read more about this role
Key Responsibilities:
Attend one of the Bereavement Café across West Cumbria each week, liaising with the Café volunteers and attendees.
Highlight and report any issues in a timely manner to the FABS Team Leader.
Be aware of group volunteer boundaries and how to signpost clients for further support.
De-brief any volunteers who require support following client contact.
Conduct annual reviews of the Bereavement Café volunteers.
Roles are subject to a one-month trial.
Benefits: There are a host of ways that you, as a volunteer, will benefit from being a Hospice at Home West Cumbria Volunteer.
You will meet new people and become part of the Hospice at Home West Cumbria community
You will be contributing to the growth and development of Hospice at Home West Cumbria
You will gain a sense of satisfaction and pride for helping to make a valuable difference
You will gain new skills and experience
Who are you?
You will be a personable, enthusiastic and approachable individual
You will have initiative, drive and determination
What can you expect?
We value the amazing support our volunteers give us and want to give you the best start in your new role. We will do this by providing:
An induction session to introduce you to the charity, recognising your skills and identifying any ongoing support you may need from us to fulfil the role
A presentation and resource pack to share with your community as and when needed
A designated point of contact for support and guidance, when needed
Mandatory training including adult safeguarding
Reimbursement of agreed out-of-pocket expenses e.g. travelling to and from volunteering. Mileage will be reimbursed if evidence of business use inclusion on car insurance.
General:
Respect the confidentiality of any information held in relation to past or present patients, carers, staff and other volunteers.
Undertake mandatory training via eLearning and any other training specific to the role.
Always act in accordance with the values and behaviours of Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
Family and Bereavement Support
Role: Family and Bereavement Support Volunteer
Responsible to: Family & Bereavement Services Team Leader and Senior Family and Bereavement Support Worker
Overall Objective: To offer emotional support to palliative patients and their family members while caring and into bereavement, through active listening.
Location: Across West Cumbria including the HHWC Therapy Centre, Workington.
Hours: 3-4 hours per week

Read more about this role
Key Responsibilities:
To offer one to one support that is person-centred, empathetic, and non-judgemental.
Skills & qualities:
Personal resilience
Excellent active listening and communication skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Punctual and reliable.
Ability to offer support to a diverse range of clients.
Training will be given, however we envisage that this role will best suit a person who has professional experience within the health and social care sector.
Commitment:
Completion of a face-to-face bereavement support training programme with Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
Timely completion of mandatory on-line training modules. Currently this is six modules.
To attend clinical group supervision sessions.
To work within the practice guidelines and procedures of HHWC at all times and liaise with the Senior FABS Worker and/or the FABS Team Leader.
Benefits: There are a host of ways that you, as a volunteer, will benefit from being a Hospice at Home West Cumbria Volunteer.
• You will meet new people and become part of the Hospice at Home West Cumbria community
• You will be contributing to the growth and development of Hospice at Home West Cumbria
• You will gain a sense of satisfaction and pride for helping to make a valuable difference
• You will gain new skills and experiences
• We will be happy to provide a reference for future employers
Who are you?
• You will be a personable, enthusiastic and approachable individual
• You will have initiative, drive and determination
• You, or one of your loved ones, may have been affected by a life-limiting or life-threatening, though this isn’t a necessity
What can you expect?
We value the amazing support our volunteers give us and want to give you the best start in your new role. We will do this by providing:
• An induction session to introduce you to the charity, recognising your skills and identifying any ongoing support you may need from us to fulfil the role
• A presentation and resource pack to share with your community as and when needed
• A designated point of contact for support and guidance, when needed
• Reimbursement of agreed out-of-pocket expenses e.g. travelling to and from volunteering
• A volunteer newsletter and/or fun group catch-ups during meetings where we would love to meet with you in person
General:
1. Respect the confidentiality of any information held in relation to past or present patients, carers, staff and other volunteers.
2. Undertake mandatory training via eLearning and any other training specific to the role.
3. Always act in accordance with the values and behaviours of Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
How to apply:
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us at Hospice at Home West Cumbria. To apply for a position, please complete our volunteer application form and email it to: Louise Dryden, our People Services Co-ordinator on: hr@hhwc.org.uk.