Definition: A Volunteer is someone who performs a task at the direction of, and on behalf of, the Hospice, receiving no pay.

Volunteers at Woking Hospice are a valued and vital part of the team. Their contribution enhances and supplements the work of clinical, administrative, retail and fundraising staff. Woking Hospice exists to provide and promote the highest quality of care for people with advanced terminal illness. It also offers support and help to their families and other individuals important in their care. Our volunteers play an important part in maintaining the high standards that are synonymous with Woking Hospice.

Our Volunteers work in many different ways to assist the Hospice. Some work within the Hospice and the following is a guide to this placement.

WHAT QUALITIES MAKE A GOOD HOSPICE VOLUNTEER?

A person who can be:

• Compassionate, sensitive to families and patients facing a life threatening illness
• Friendly, open and flexible, a good listener
• Non judgemental
• Willing to accept and adapt to different cultural, racial, sexual, intellectual and spiritual needs of patients and family members
• Someone who is able to appreciate the lighter side of life when applicable.

Hospice volunteers often wish to "give something back" following a bereavement of their own at the Hospice, something other than the usual cheque and in doing some voluntary work on behalf of the Hospice they find some comfort in helping others overcome their particular difficulties and making a difference to someone's life be it patient or family. Other volunteers have no direct link with the Hospice but feel they would like to be involved in their local community in some way.

Volunteers with the above qualities are deployed in our Day Care ward where the duties are many and varied. It can involve anything from giving cups of tea to assisting with the latest activity provided by our Occupational Health Team, or alternatively sitting with a patient and talking/listening.
These volunteers usually commit to providing help for the day (10am-3pm)

HOW ELSE CAN I HELP?

Other areas within the Hospice where our volunteers work include Reception, Gardening, Flower Arranging, Fundraising and Administration. We also have volunteer therapists, hairdressers and chiropodists. Our volunteer drivers are always in demand to transport patients to and from the Day Ward. Each Volunteer gives as much time as they are able to donate and there is usually something for anyone willing to donate a few hours to us.

ARE VOLUNTEERS TRAINED?

If a volunteer has a qualification which they wish to utilise and it is applicable to the Hospice, we will make every effort to accommodate that skill. The Hospice provides induction days for new volunteers every six months and is at present putting in place other training applicable to each area. Each volunteer is placed on a three month probationary period to assess how comfortable they feel within their given role.

DO I HAVE TO WORK IN THE HOSPICE?

No, we have many opportunities for our volunteers to work outside of the Hospice. Our Hospice shops need staff to help, usually for a half day, with serving, sorting and generally helping to keep the shop tidy. Some of our volunteers even work in two shops within the area!

We also have a warehouse where the goods donated by people are sorted, assessed, priced and transported out to the various shops.

In both Woking and Guildford we have a tea bar in the Magistrates Court. This provides refreshment for those working within the court and those awaiting court procedures. These tea bars are open from 9.30-1200 weekdays.

I DON'T HAVE TIME

If you would like to do some voluntary work for the Hospice but have limited time at your disposal, you may like to be on our "bank" of volunteers. These are volunteers who are on a database and are called upon to assist at special events by the fundraising team. You will not be expected to assist at every event and it is up to you how much time and energy you donate to us.

I WANT TO VOLUNTEER

If you feel that you would like to volunteer for the Hospice please contact me on the number below. I will be happy to send you an application form to complete and return to me, or click here to download a PDF version (353 KB) which you can print off. I will then take up the two references you are asked to provide and on satisfactory results will invite you into the Hospice for an informal interview.

This is an opportunity for us to discuss in which area you may be most suited and for a tour of the Hospice.

At this time you will also be give a Criminal Records Bureau form to complete. This is mandatory for all volunteers working for the Hospice.

At present we have vacancies in many different areas including flowers, gardening, shops and drivers. We also have many fundraising events which need assistance in a variety of ways.

I'M NOT SURE THIS IS FOR ME

If you would like more information regarding volunteering for the Hospice or a chat about the different aspects of volunteering please do not hesitate to contact me for an informal chat. I look forward to hearing from you!

Volunteer Services Managers

Jan Welsman - Woking
Tel: 01483 881750
Mary Morgan – Sam Beare
Tel: 01932 857907
volunteers@wsbhospices.co.uk