Help our children have fun at Richard House Children's Hospice
What are the benefits of volunteering?
Above all, volunteering can be a lot of fun and is a great way of meeting people and finding new friends in your local area. Many volunteers also benefit from learning new skills and building up valuable work experience, to help them get paid work in the future. Other volunteers gain great satisfaction from putting their existing experience or professional skills to good use by donating their talents to our cause. Whatever your motivation, you can be sure that your efforts will be making a real contribution to the work of Richard House.
Is there a minimum amount of time I must give?
Richard House has a range of volunteer roles requiring different amounts of time – from a few days a week to an afternoon a week or one-off events. Take a look at the different roles we have available at the hospice and the charity shops and choose the one that suits you best.
Can I claim expenses?
Volunteers do not receive any payment for their work but are able to claim expenses so they are not out of pocket! For example, volunteers can claim previously agreed travel expenses.
Who can volunteer?
Richard House has volunteers from 16 to 75+ years old. They come from all walks of life and the volunteering they do can be tailored to their skills, interests and circumstances. Please note that the minimum age to volunteer in our charity shops is 16 and for hospice volunteering it is 18.
What skills and experience do I need?
Many of our volunteer roles do not require you to have any experience or specialist skills. For example if you would like to volunteer in our charity shops or try your hand at fundraising, we will provide all the training and information you need to take on these roles. A limited number of our volunteering opportunities require you to have particular skills but this is always stated in advance.
What training and support will be given?
Whatever volunteer role you choose to take on, we will give you all the training and support you need to feel comfortable in your work. All volunteers have a staff member who they can go to for help and support. In many roles, more experienced volunteers will also be on hand to offer advice to new members of the team.
I am receiving welfare benefits – am I allowed to volunteer?
Yes - but tell your Job Centre or Benefits Office before volunteering to get their confirmation. There is no maximum limit to the number of hours that you may volunteer while claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or Incapacity Benefit (IB). However, if claiming JSA, you must continue to search for paid work and be willing and able to attend an interview on 48 hours notice or start a paid job within one week if offered. If in receipt of IB, you may volunteer provided that the activity does not conflict with your stated incapacity.
What do I have to do to become a hospice volunteer?
If you are interested in volunteering at the hospice then the first step is to fill in a hospice volunteer application form and either email it or post it to us. If we have vacancies in the role(s) that you are interested in then we will invite you for an informal interview and tour of the hospice. For all roles that are based at the hospice we need to do a criminal records bureau check (disclosure) and make sure we have two references for you. Once we have received your CRB check and references you will be given a start date. Your volunteering will begin with an induction to the role and any training that is necessary for you to carry out the role will be arranged.
What do I have to do to become a charity shop volunteer?
If you are interested in volunteering in one of our charity shops we will put you in touch with our Commercial Manager who will talk to you about what is involved and which shop you would like to volunteer at. She will then arrange for you to start a trial period in one of the shops. This trial period is to make sure that volunteering is for you. Once you have settled in we will then ask you to complete a charity shop application form and we will write off to your referees. A criminal records bureau check (disclosure) is not necessary for volunteers in the charity shops.
How long will it take before I can start volunteering?
It depends on the role you are doing. If you are interested in volunteering in our charity shops then you will probably be able to start almost straight away. It takes a little longer if you are interested in volunteering at the hospice. Criminal records bureau checks usually take upwards from 3 weeks, so if your references come back to us quickly then it won’t be long before you can start!
I have a special skill to offer – can I volunteer too?
From time to time people come forward willing to offer their professional skills or expertise. If you have a particular skill to offer please contact our HR department on 020 7540 0227 or by email.
