If I volunteer in one of the shops, are there COVID-19 measures in place to protect me and customers? Expand Throughout the pandemic, our priority has been keeping our staff, volunteers and customers safe - and it will continue to be so as restrictions start to ease. So we've a number of measures in place to ensure our customers can continue to shop with us safely: our shop teams will continue to wear face coverings on the sales floor, unless they're unable to we're encouraging our customers to do the same we maintain safe distancing where possible we'll continue to provide hand sanitiser for use at the entrance to all our shops and stores COVID-19 guidelines help keep everyone safe. The shop manager will explain these to you - they include things like washing your hands regularly, having only one person behind the till, keeping a safe distance apart, when to wear a face covering. Donated items aren't processed until they've been stored for at least 48 hours and then you'll wear gloves to do this. If anyone develops symptoms they must stay away and let the shop manager know.
Will I need to attend an interview? Expand For retail opportunities, volunteers can go into one of our shops, or our distribution centre (warehouse) - the shop manager will arrange an informal interview. If you're successful, you should be able to start very quickly. But you will need to be able to provide us with references. For all of our roles an interview is essential as we sometimes have many people apply. If you have other roles you're interested in, and you're unsuccessful in your first choice, we'll try and match you to another suitable role.
Applying to be a volunteer - what is the process? Expand You will need to find a suitable vacancy from our Volunteering Opportunities page. You can apply online or request a paper application form by calling the Voluntary Services Team on 01485 601700. Once we receive your application we will pass it to the relevant department for consideration. For shop and Distribution Centre/warehouse vacancies there are forms ready printed at all of our retail outlets.
Is there training available? Expand All of our volunteers receive induction training that has been designed for their specific role, including Health and Safety and basic Moving and Handling for everyone. For some roles involving patients and clients, volunteers will need further specialised training which is a mandatory part of the role.
Do I need to have any particular skills to be a volunteer? Expand Some roles related to our care services do require a professional qualification or skill in a certain area - however for many roles, all that is needed is enthusiasm, respect for others and reliability.
Is there a minimum amount of time I need to volunteer? Expand We try to be as flexible as possible and will talk to you to arrange the times you are available. For some roles the times are fixed and in these cases we would like a commitment to these. Our shop managers will be pleased to hear from you, even if you only have a couple of hours to spend a week.
What if I am on benefits? Expand The latest guidance from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations - NCVO is available here.
How old do I have to be to volunteer? Expand Volunteers are welcomed from age 16 upwards to help in some areas such as shops, fundraising events and to help with administrative work. Volunteers who have contact with patients must be over 18. Drivers must be over 25. We also welcome applications from Duke of Edinburgh award students, and work experience placements from age 14 upwards, in some areas.
You have been offered a voluntary role - what happens next? Expand We ask for references for all roles (except one-off Store Collections and Event Support) and also carry out a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check if your role requires it. You will then be trained on site at the shop/warehouse or invited to one of the Hospice Induction Sessions as appropriate. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.