Volunteer Information
"I am new to volunteering and enjoy it very much. I can do as many hours as I want to fit in with me. I have found out a lot more about charities and the work the Hospice does." Volunteer at the Hospice's Meltham shop
Kirkwood Hospice relies on over 500 people who, as volunteers, give their services for free and provide, directly or indirectly, some of life’s extras for patients.
Volunteers do many different things at the Hospice, for example:
- Providing a reception service for our visitors
- Helping our administration, fundraising and IT teams in their offices
- Serving snacks and drinks to patients and relatives
- Assisting our nursing team in the Support & Therapy Centre
- Gardening
- Providing transport for patients who are visiting the Support & Therapy Centre
- Helping in one of our shops
Volunteers provide a link for patients with the "outside world". They have time to talk to patients and often make new friends.
"Volunteering gives you fulfilment and friendship...helping your charity, helping your community and by helping your customers by caring." Volunteer at Kirkburton shop
How Much Time Do Volunteers Give?
The amount of time that a volunteer gives to the Hospice depends on the task and the amount of time the volunteer has available. Most of our volunteers work on a shift basis, which can range from two to eight hours. Some volunteers do more than one shift a week, others come in once a fortnight, although the majority of our volunteers help out on a weekly basis. If volunteers do not have time to help us regularly then they can offer their services on an ad hoc basis to provide extra help for when other volunteers are on holiday, are off sick or at one-off events. Volunteers are needed during the day, in the evening and at weekends, so there is usually a time to suit both the volunteer and the Hospice, regardless of any other commitments that a volunteer may have.
Who Can Volunteer?
Kirkwood Hospice’s volunteers have all types of backgrounds but it takes a special kind of person to be a volunteer at Kirkwood Hospice. You must:
- Be caring and friendly
- Have a sense of humour
- Be sensitive
- Be tactful
- Keep all information confidential
We are only able to accept volunteers aged between 16 – 75 years old. Students who are undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme or who are looking for work placements whilst at school or college are welcome to volunteer at Kirkwood Hospice.
Becoming A Volunteer
"I like being a volunteer because I can give back to the Hospice the time they spent helping me after the loss of my husband." Volunteer at the Hospice's Dewsbury shop.
Even though we have a loyal team of volunteers (many have provided their services since we opened in 1987), we always need extra help. Potential volunteers need to complete our Volunteer Application Form. Once this has been received the candidate will be invited to an interview with our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Judith Robinson. At this interview the candidate’s experiences and interests will be matched with any volunteer vacancies. Due to the nature of our work, references will be taken up and a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure application will be made.
If you would like any further information on volunteering at Kirkwood Hospice, please view our leaflet by clicking here or contact Judith Robinson, on telephone number 01484 557900.
Click here to see our Equality and Diversity Information.