VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
Wigan & Leigh Hospice is an independent charitable organisation providing specialist care to enhance the quality of life of patients; their families, loved ones and carers.
An indispensable piece in the jigsaw is the invaluable support provided by volunteers; and in order to continue providing the highest level of service, good teamwork between staff and volunteers is important.Reliability is also an essential ingredient.
If you have a little spare time, take a look at some of the current volunteering opportunities below that may appeal to you.
Reception is staffed throughout the day, with volunteer assistance. During the evenings and weekends Reception is run entirely by volunteers. The shift patterns are as follows: 9am – 1pm; 12.30 – 4.30pm and 4.45 – 8pm.
Tasks include responding to telephone enquiries; receiving visitors
and performing routine clerical duties – e.g. use of till and simple administration etc.
Day Hospice provides a happy, friendly environment in which patients can meet and talk to others with similar illnesses. Transportation between the Hospice and home is available by volunteer drivers, whilst other volunteers assist the staff in making the patients feel comfortable and at ease by serving refreshments, meals, listening to them etc. Maybe even playing dominoes, cards and other games.
Crafts and diversional therapies take place within Day Hospice. Volunteers with an aptitude for this type of activity pass on their skills to patients. There is no need to be an ‘expert’. Typical skills include painting, glass painting, making greeting cards etc. If you have a particular aptitude or skill that you can pass on, it could be rewarding for you and our patients.
In–Patient Care: offers a safe, caring environment for all our patients and their loved ones.
You can help by serving refreshments, laying out trays for meals, helping at meal times, talking to patients and their visitors, reading to them or just being there.
Cover is required, every day at the following times:
9.00 am - 11.00 am
11.30 am -1.30 pm
2.00 pm -3.30 pm
4.30 pm -6.30 pm
7.00 pm -8.30 pm
Entertaining patients and bereaved carers: Singing, playing an instrument, performing magical tricks etc., might be something you enjoy. It could, for example, be a1hr session each week or month.
Driving, using your own car We provide transport for patients to and from Day Hospice. We also require intermittent transport help for such occasions as patients travelling to Christies Hospital or the local Infirmary etc. Your vehicle must have comprehensive insurance. Travelling expenses are reimbursed.
Hospice minibus The minibus is used to bring patients to and from the Hospice. We need both drivers and escorts. Drivers need to have at least 2 years’ general driving experience - no special licence is required and full training is given.
Van Drivers/Driver’s Mate: These vans operate from Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm servicing the Hospice shops, picking up collections and deliveries to and from customers’ homes. There is some furniture removal involved.
Gardeners: Enthusiastic amateur gardeners are always very welcome to help keep the gardens looking attractive and tidy.
Kitchen Assistants Help is welcome in the kitchen to support the Head Cook. Duties might include: using the dishwasher, hand washing-up, preparing salads and sandwiches for lunches etc.
Shop Workers The shops provide a valuable contribution to Hospice funds and are staffed entirely by volunteers. The shops are situated in Wigan, Newtown, Golborne, Atherton, Shevington, Ashton, Leigh, Pemberton, Platt Bridge, Standish and Hindley.
Tasks may include any of the following: sorting, preparing and pricing stock prior to sale; point of sales desk duties, maintaining good customer relations and for some, helping with window displays.
Experience is not necessary, but be prepared to meet lots of people and have fun!
Ebaythis is our virtual shop. Tasks may include preparing goods for auction, possible research on the items, entering item details on the computer, packing items which have been sold etc. No prior experience required.
Home Support Service This community service provides a patient with company, usually for a few hours, so that the carer can take a break to go shopping etc.
Fundraisers we are presently recruiting enthusiastic and active people who will promote the Hospice and fundraise in their locality. The aims of the team are to exchange fund-raising ideas; help with the organisation and publicity of events; identify outlets for the sale of fundraising merchandise etc. Hours are flexible and can be adapted to suit your commitments.
Bereavement Support Service: volunteers undergo careful selection and receive initial, and on-going, training and supervision. Emotional support is offered to the bereaved carer who could be experiencing difficulty in their grieving process.
Hairdressing Trained hairdressers are certainly a bonus! However the patients just love to have their hair washed and blow-dried and no specialist training is required for this role.
If you think becoming a Hospice volunteer is for you, simply click this link to download an application form. You will note on the application form that we ask for the names of two referees. These can be past or present employers, your local GP or minister, or a long-standing friend/neighbour but NOT a relative.
When completed, please return the form to :-
Wigan & Leigh Hospice, Kildare Street, Hindley, Wigan. WN2 3HZ
If you would like to speak to someone for further information, please ring the Hospice Volunteers Department during office hours.
The smooth running of the Hospice is dependent on the dedicated support and reliability of all our volunteers.
