When people think about volunteering at a hospice, they often imagine providing direct care to patients. While that can be part of some roles, the reality is that hospice volunteers support their community in many different ways, both behind the scenes and on the front line.
Whether you enjoy meeting new people, organising events, helping in a charity shop or lending your professional skills, there are plenty of opportunities to make a meaningful difference.
At Katharine House Hospice, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Their time and dedication help us continue providing free specialist palliative and end-of-life care to local people and their families.
Why Are Hospice Volunteers So Important?
Hospices rely on volunteers to support many of their day-to-day activities. Every hour donated helps raise vital funds, supports patients and families, and allows paid clinical staff to focus on delivering specialist care.
From welcoming visitors to helping organise fundraising events, volunteers play an important role in creating a warm, supportive environment for everyone who comes through our doors.
Without volunteers, many of the services and community activities that people value so highly simply wouldn’t be possible.
Current Volunteering Opportunities at Katharine House Hospice
Whether you have a few hours to spare each week or you’re looking for a new way to support your local community, Katharine House Hospice offers a variety of volunteering opportunities to suit different interests and lifestyles.
Retail Volunteers
Our charity shops are one of the biggest ways we raise vital funds to support hospice care, and we’re always looking for friendly volunteers to join the team.
Retail volunteers help welcome customers, sort donations, create attractive displays and keep our shops looking their best. No previous experience is needed, as full training is provided.
Online Sales Volunteers
Love finding hidden treasures or have an interest in online shopping?
Our online sales team helps give donated items a second life by selling them through our e-commerce channels. Volunteers support the team by photographing products, writing listings, picking and packing orders, and preparing items for dispatch.
It’s a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys organisation, attention to detail or wants to gain experience in online retail.
Volunteer Gardeners
If you enjoy spending time outdoors, becoming a volunteer gardener could be the perfect role.
Our gardens provide peaceful spaces where patients and their families can relax, reflect and enjoy some fresh air during difficult times. Volunteer gardeners help keep these areas looking their best, creating welcoming surroundings for everyone who visits.
With flexible days and hours available, it’s a rewarding way to make a real difference while enjoying the outdoors.
Do You Need Previous Experience?
Not at all.
Many hospice volunteers have never volunteered before. What’s most important is a caring attitude, reliability and a willingness to help.
Training and guidance are provided for every role, helping volunteers feel confident and supported from day one.
Whether you’re retired, studying, working part-time or simply looking to give something back to your community, there may be a volunteering opportunity that’s right for you.
What Can You Gain from Volunteering?
While volunteering is about helping others, many people are surprised by how much they gain in return.
Volunteering can help you build confidence, develop new skills, meet like-minded people and become part of a welcoming community. It’s also an excellent way to gain experience if you’re considering a future career in healthcare, retail, fundraising or customer service.
Many volunteers tell us they leave each shift knowing they’ve made a genuine difference to someone’s day.
Every Volunteer Makes a Difference
No matter how much time you can offer, every volunteer plays an important role in supporting Katharine House Hospice.
Whether you’re helping in one of our charity shops, assisting at community events or supporting our teams behind the scenes, your contribution helps us continue providing compassionate care for local people living with incurable illnesses and support for those closest to them.
Ready to Start Your Volunteering Journey?
If you’ve been thinking about volunteering but weren’t sure what it involves, we’d love to hear from you.
Visit our Volunteer page to explore our current opportunities, learn more about each role and find out how to apply. Alternatively call our Voluntary Services Team.
Together, we can continue making a lasting difference to patients, families and our local community.