Volunteer Opportunities

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:

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.

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:

1. To be the first point of contact for all visitors to the building providing a warm and friendly welcome

2. To answer all telephone enquiries and email, then direct them to the relevant department

3. To provide relevant information about Hospice at Home West Cumbria services, face-to-face, over the telephone or via email

4. Provide administrative support to Hospice at Home West Cumbria staff as and when required

5. Complete daily checklist of tasks

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.

4. You will be required to obtain a Standard DBS check – the cost of this will be refunded by Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

Role:

Sunflower Display Volunteer

Overall Objective:

We are looking for volunteers to support this event, coming along to man our hospice stall at the priory. This is where members of the public can make a donation, purchase one of our sunflowers or other merchandise, and find out more about the services we provide and how they can get involved to support us.

If you’d like to give volunteering a go but aren’t sure if it is the right fit for you or don’t feel able to make a regular commitment, this presents a fantastic opportunity to give it a try.

Location:

St Bees Priory

Hours: 

Hours will be dependant on your availability and flexible over the two week period.

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.

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.

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:

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.