Volunteering with the Hospice makes a difference

We have over 365 dedicated volunteers in our team and between them they donate approximately 35,000 hours a year of their time. Their time saves the Hospice more than £350,000 every year in salary costs.

Click here to see our current volunteer opportunities

Where do I start?

If you love to help people and have time to spare, take a look at the list of vacancies at the bottom of this page and see what catches your eye, then contact our Volunteer Services Manager.

What skills or qualifications do I need?

Most of our volunteering roles do not require formal qualifications but you will need relevant skills or experience. Some of our volunteer roles require a driving licence and/or a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service). Volunteers must be at least 16 years old (dependent upon the volunteer role).

Will I need training?

All roles require mandatory training and depending on the role, you will be asked to attend training such as manual handling or food hygiene. This will be arranged in-house and dates and times will be communicated.

How much time do I need to give?

Some of our volunteering roles will need a regular commitment whilst some others can be more ad-hoc depending on when you are available and what you would like to do.

What next?

To apply for a volunteer position, click here to see our current volunteer opportunities

Click Here to View our Volunteering Handbook

Your Volunteering Handbook

Our fantastic new Volunteer Handbook is now available for all new and existing volunteers to refer to, throughout their volunteer journey with the Hospice of the Good Shepherd. Just click on the image to view/download a copy.

We are so happy you are here and want to be part of our volunteer team. The Handbook can be used as a guide that you can refer to throughout your volunteer journey with us. You will find information about our team and what we can do to support you.

We also share with you what you can expect from us and equally what we expect from you to make your volunteering experience as successful as it possibly can be.

We know that volunteers bring new skills, enthusiasm, and a fresh perspective to the work of our Hospice, extending the resources available and adding diversity to our services. Our volunteers provide dedicated support to staff, patients, their families, and carers in a variety of ways.

Be part of something amazing!

The Hospice of the Good Shepherd provides end of life care free to the communities of Chester, West Cheshire and Deeside. It costs approximately £5.1million to run our services each year and we only receive 20% from government sources.

The contribution that volunteers make is invaluable. We truly could not offer the support we do to our patients without their help. Every volunteer makes a difference to the lives of our patients and their families. Volunteers help with a variety of essential roles from working on our reception, helping our clinical team, our housekeeping and catering team and tending to our beautiful gardens, charity shops and work in our warehouse sorting donations and stock to keep our shops well stocked, as well as helping out at our fundraising events.

Our volunteers are people of all ages and backgrounds who want to give back to their community, learn new skills and make friends along the way. Volunteers help us make our care extra special, our shops warm and welcoming, our events run smoothly and keep our gardens beautiful, to name just a few things. Whatever your experience and skills, we’ll help you find a volunteer role at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd that suits you.

We realise just how important our volunteers are to our organisation.

 

We would not be able to contine to deliver our essential end of life care without their dedicated support.

 

Our volunteers work across every department supporting our paid staff.

 

Nothing is too much trouble and they carry out their duties with a cheerful smile.

FIVE REASONS TO VOLUNTEER WITH US

1. IT’S FUN!

Whether it’s helping out in within the Hospice, with our fundraising team or in our retail shops we will have an opportunity for you.

2. YOU’LL LEARN NEW SKILLS

They say we learn something new every day, and when you volunteer with us we make sure you have right skills to the job at hand. This is a great way to add new skills to your CV.

3. YOU’LL WORK WITH A GREAT TEAM

Across the organisation you will meet and work with a team of professional and dedicated staff and volunteers – you’ll get to make new friends and work as part of a brilliant team.

4. IT’S FLEXIBLE

Volunteering is flexible. We ask that where possible you to do a regular shift of four hours every week or fortnight. You can do more if you wish. If you are unable to commit to a regular shift do please look at our volunteer requirements for our fundraising events as this is much more flexible with regards to time commitment.

5. YOU’LL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The work that you do will be making a difference to the lives of local people who are living with a life limiting illness. Click here to learn more about how we help

Volunteer Opportunities