What are the benefits of volunteering? St Luke’s currently has 750 volunteers. Volunteering is a lot of fun as well as being a great place to meet new people and make friends. Our volunteer opportunities enable you to learn new work based skills, volunteering helps build your confidence and looks great on your CV to progress your career.
The donation of your time supports the crucial work of the Hospice in providing free care to patients and supporting their families. You can read more about our work here.
Where can I volunteer?
Volunteers help us in a number of areas:
Shops: In our 13 shops, we especially need people help to sort donations. See our Shops list
Fundraising: providing support at events and as event committee members
Hospice: Receptionists, Gardeners, In Patient Unit, Volunteer Drivers, Day Care volunteers
You need to 18 to help in the Hospice and 16 and over for all other volunteering.
If you are interested in volunteering please have a look at our current St Luke’s Current Volunteer Vacancies to see where we need help
If none of these roles suit you, and you would like to share your professional skills please email us with some brief information on your skills and interests.
How much time do I have to give?
We have a range of volunteer opportunities from regular volunteering to one-off volunteering at events. The majority of our roles require a regular time commitment of 4 hours per week. Therefore it is really helpful to check the times you are available and the number of hours you can commit on an ongoing basis, or as a one off event supporter.
What skills and experience do I need?
For the majority of our roles you do not need any previous volunteering experience as we provide training and support to our volunteers in gaining the skills necessary for their volunteer role.
All St Luke’s volunteers have a staff member who will manage and support them, as well our more experienced volunteers to help new members of the team.
What training and support will I be given?
For all our volunteer roles training and support is provided. In addition, there will be mandatory training for volunteers. You also could be eligible to qualify in the Level 2 NVQ in Customer Service gaining further knowledge that would help in your shop volunteer role.
How do I apply?
We value every enquiry and applicant and aim to get you started as quickly as possible.
Call: 020 8382 8000 Email: volunteering@stlukes-hospice.org Online: online application form
We recruit volunteers on a needs led basis and our volunteering opportunities can be found listed in our current vacancies. We regularly update our website as opportunities become available. Should none of our current roles suit your interests, please check back at a later date or email us.
Our volunteer recruitment process outlines the steps to volunteering with us.
Can I claim expenses?
St Luke’s Hospice volunteers do not receive any payment for their work but you are able to claim reasonable expenses. We reimburse reasonable travel costs to and from your place of volunteer activity. This will be discussed at your induction.
I would like a reference from you my volunteering, is this possible?
Yes, we write references to volunteers who have actively volunteered with us for six months (minimum of 26 shifts).
All references are written out to the concerned party directly and not to the individual volunteer or ‘To whom it may concern’. The reference will go directly from us to the party concerned i.e. College, Employer.
Will volunteering affect my benefits?
Our advice will be to always speak to your personal adviser before you start volunteering with us.
The general rules are that you can volunteer provided that you
- You are looking for paid work.
- You must be free to go to an interview on request of the Jobcentre plus
- You must be able to start work within one week of this notice.
My company encourages me to volunteer. Can you help?
Yes, throughout the year we have a number of companies who support us and contribute their time. Please email us to discuss this further.
Please read St Luke’s Hospice Mutual expectation
For any additional questions please email volunteering@stlukes-hospice.org
