Care assistants work as part of our nursing team on our Inpatient Unit or in our Day Therapies unit. This role involves delivering direct care to patients under the supervision of trained nursing staff. Volunteers will need to have excellent communication skills and preferably have previous experience of working within a care environment. Volunteers under the age of 18 years cannot work unsupervised and will not normally be considered for the role of Volunteer Care Assistant.
Day Therapies provides a happy and welcoming environment for patients to meet and talk to others with similar illnesses, while receiving care from nursing staff and doctors. Volunteers help make patients feel comfortable and at ease by serving refreshments, meals, talking with them and even playing games!
Volunteers work alongside our Complementary Therapist Coordinator, providing a variety of therapies to meet the needs of patients in Day Therapies and on the Ward. As a team we offer massage, aromatherapy, reflexology and Reiki. Volunteers will need to be qualified and have insurance in their own therapies.
Working alongside and within a small team to support the Creative Therapist delivering a broad range of arts, crafts and therapeutic group work to patients. Volunteers need a keen interest and flair for working with arts & crafts, good organisational skills and the ability to support patients on a one-to-one basis, as required. This is a busy and lively role and initiative is encouraged.
Volunteers work as part of the support care team providing ‘well being’ treatment to patients in Day Therapies and on the Ward. Volunteers will need to have qualifications and, for the hairdressing, will need to have recent salon experience. Insurance is covered by the Hospice. Volunteers will need to be good communicators and experience of working with people with disabilities would be helpful.
Reception is staffed throughout the week by volunteers. A typical shift involves responding to telephone enquiries, welcoming visitors, taking messages for staff, use of the till and other tasks that may be requested by the administrative staff from time to time.
As a General Volunteer you will be involved in a wide range of work assisting both patients and staff. Duties include helping in the kitchen with food preparation, washing up and cleaning; taking refreshments to patients, visitors and staff; and helping out in the laundry when required. You are encouraged to chat with patients and visitors during your shift.
Community Volunteers get the opportunity to support our patients and families in their own homes. For a few hours a week they provide companionship for a patient and allow families and carer’s the chance to have a well-earned break. Please get in touch if you are over 18 and enjoy having a chat and engaging with people.
Volunteers drive our Day Hospice patients between their homes and the Hospice. Volunteer Drivers use their own vehicles in the morning and afternoon to transport patients who would otherwise find it difficult to access the Day Hospice. Drivers must have valid motor insurance. Travelling expenses are reimbursed if requested.
Enthusiastic and active people are always needed to help our Fundraising Team promote the Hospice, organise events in the Community and take part in one-off bucket collections. Volunteers can also get involved with the Hospice Lottery. As membership of the Lottery has grown significantly, we need Volunteer Collectors to cover some of the rounds. Hours are flexible and can be adapted to suit your commitments.
Our volunteer Florists help to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere within the Hospice. They use their creative flair to transform donated flowers into beautiful arrangements that are placed throughout the Hospice, bringing pleasure to patients, visitors and staff alike.
Our Head Gardener and his team are looking for several experienced gardeners willing to offer their help with maintaining our award winning Hospice gardens, particularly gardeners with knowledge of growing organic vegetables who would be prepared to share their expertise.
We also have vacancies for regular volunteers in the garden to work alongside our permanent Gardener during the week and on a range of pre-set tasks at weekends. Enthusiastic volunteers help keep our award-winning grounds and gardens around the Hospice looking attractive and tidy.
The shops make a valuable contribution to our income and are staffed, in the main, by volunteers. We currently have shops in Rochdale (on Yorkshire Street and Oldham Road), Whitworth, Heywood, Middleton and Littleborough. As a volunteer you may be asked to sort, prepare and price stock prior to it going on sale, staff the sales desk, assist customers and even help with window displays. Retail experience is not required.
Volunteers support our e-Bay function by helping with the preparation of donated goods for eBay, researching incoming items for eBay, taking photographs and listing items on our eBay shop as well as packaging and posting items.
To assist at groups held in community venues, such as cafes or libraries. The role would be as host, ensuring group attendees feel welcome, making drinks, filling in paperwork, etc. Training is provided by the Hospice.
Please note that you will need to be over 18 years old for some of our roles.
Please contact Gill Kenny, Volunteer Co-ordinator, at the Hospice on 01706 649920 for information on current vacancies.
