There are lots of opportunities to volunteer within Helen & Douglas House - click on the links below to read more:
If you want to apply to volunteer in-house, please download and complete the application form and email to volunteering@helenanddouglas.org.uk.
Administration Volunteers
Administrative work is vital.Volunteers are based in Douglas House and help with a variety of tasks from computer input, mailings, photocopying, scanning, making telephone calls and maintaining databases.
Fundraising - Community Advocates
Could you become a Community Advocate? You will help raise the profile of Helen and Douglas House in communities in our catchment area doing things like letting us know about local events and putting up posters on local noticeboards.
Commitment: Whatever you can offer!! These are not office based roles.
Fundraising - Faith Groups Volunteer
Faith Groups, particularly churches have a long history of supporting Helen and Douglas House and currently contribute £55,000 annually to the charity. We would like to focus on supporting this group of donors as well as develop tailored ways to generate further funds. It would be wonderful to have a volunteer to concentrate on this work.
Commitment: 1 day a week/every other week in the office (or working from home if preferred) plus some time visiting churches and other faith groups.
Fundraising - Speakers Network
The Speakers Network is a group of volunteers that go out into their local communities and tell people about the work of Helen and Douglas House. Members of the Speakers Network give short talks to community groups such as schools, Rotary clubs and youth groups. We offer professional training as well as support pack and online forum.
Commitment: Whatever you can offer. You can specify which times you are available, where you are willing to travel (we pay expenses) as well as the audiences you would prefer to talk to.
Fundraising - Event Volunteers
Helen and Douglas House organises a number of fundraising events throughout the year. We constantly need volunteers to help with distributing posters and leaflets and of course on the day of the event.
Commitment: Whatever time you can offer!
Fundraising - Administration Volunteer
Would you like to gain experience within a dynamic Fundraising team? Are you a good communicator? Do you have an eye for detail? Do you have good administration skills?
We are looking for somebody to join our Fundraising team to assist them with a variety of fundraising and marketing campaigns.
Commitment: 1-2 days per week
Human Resources Administration Volunteer
Our busy HR Department is looking for administration volunteers. You would be involved in a variety of roles such as managing recruitment checks, managing applications, managing interviews and facilitating the induction process. Confidence in using a computer is esssential.
If you have an interest in HR or are currently studying for a related qualification we would love to hear from you.
Commitment: 1-2 days per week
Does PR and Communications interest you? You would be assisting the PR & Communications Manager with administration including occasional mailings, filing and reporting on media coverage.
Family Support & Bereavement Administration Volunteer
The Family Support & Bereavement team at Helen & Douglas House are looking for a volunteer to help with general office duties in this sensitive and confidential area of the hopsice.
The main responsibilities are to provide administration support to the Family Support and Bereavement team. The role is very varied and busy. Previous secreterial/ office experience would be useful as the volunteer will be responsible for producing regular statistics using a variety of computer packages (including excel, word and powerpoint) arranging meetings, diary appointments, and be able to deal with ad hoc admin requests as they arise.
Kitchen Support
Preparing two cooked meals a day can be time consuming and the help of volunteers makes a huge difference. We need help with food preparation seven days a week between 11.00am and 1.30pm, or for an hour in the evening between 6.00pm and 7.00pm.
Douglas House "League of Friends" volunteers
Douglas House is looking for volunteers to help run their busy staff restaurant. If you are an individual or couple who has a couple of hours to spare each week we would love to hear from you. It is a modern open plan kitchen/dining area and you would be helping to serve lunches from 12pm - 2pm Monday - Friday on a rota basis. You will be involved in various jobs, from preparing cold food to serving teas and coffees and general cleaning and tidying. No previous catering experience is necessary. Training in Food Hygiene will be provided.
Receptionists
We need volunteer receptionists in Douglas House to greet visitors and answer in-coming phone calls. We also need people to help cover holidays and sickness - ideal for anyone who isn’t able to make a regular commitment.
You will meet and talk with a wide variety of people, some of whom may be distressed. We will give you training on the small switchboard.
Volunteer Maintenance Support
In our busy environment maintenance is ongoing. We have an expert maintenance team who are keen to include volunteers in their work.Training is given as you volunteer alongside them. You do not need to be an expert, but we are looking for practical people with a broad range of skills.
Important note: Work is often carried out in the heart of the hospice, so volunteers will need to be personable, discrete and accepting of difference.
Are you an e-Bay aholic? Helen and douglas House has an e-Bay shop! We need volunteers to help us manage this. You would spend your days placing values on donated items, making assessments as to whether they are suitable for e-bay sales, listing items etc..
Office and Reception Support Helen House
We are looking for people who are willing to turn their hand to a variety of basic administrative
tasks in a small office environment in Helen House. Computer skills are important, as is the ability to meet and greet visitors and respond to telephone calls.
Commitment: 1 day per week
Helen and Douglas House prides itself in ensuring that our chldren and young adults have as many opportunities as possible to live life to the full no matter how short that life. One of the key ways we can do this is by taking our patients on trips and outings to places that may be too difficult without the appropriate transport. MIDAS training is provided.
We have the most amazing garden in the centre of Cowley. To maintain it in such good order takes an enormous amount of commitment. We have a dedicated team of volunteers who come each Thursday to ensure our garden is immaculate. We are looking for more people to help with the heavy work as well as the light jobs. Please contact us if you would like to join our Thursday gardening team.
Volunteer Warehouse Opportunities: Based in Abingdon
We are looking to develop a furniture restoration project in our warehouse. Restoration can add considerable value to donated furniture and upgrade the condition of the goods we are able to sell in our charity shops. If you have experience of furniture restoration or are happy to learn a new skill we would be happy to hear from you.
Would you pick up a broom for Helen and Douglas House?
Are you thinking of getting fit for the New Year? Did you know you can burn up to 400 calories per hour cleaning.
Helen & Douglas is looking for help to maintain the high standards of cleanliness in the Hospice. If you have a few hours to spare any time between 7am to 7pm you could make a real contribution to our work.
Helen House Care Team Volunteers
Helen House is looking for committed people to volunteer alongside our Care Team. You need no medical or previous experience just empathy and energy and an ability to mix in with whatever is going on. If this sounds interesting then this could be an opportunity for you.
Each week you may spend some time cleaning a room, talking with friends or family, playing with children, helping in the Art room or clearing up the toys. No day will ever be the same. If you would like to find out more please complete an application form and we will arrange to meet you.
