Organisation Name:
St Leonard's Hospice
Organisation's Cause(s):
Health
Location of voluntary activity:
185 Tadcaster Road
York
YO24 1GL
When are volunteers needed: You’ll be expected to commit to a regular weekly shift at a time that works for you.
Shifts take place Monday to Sunday, with a choice of 4 shifts per day. Shift times are 7:45am – 9:30am, 9:15am – 1pm, 12:45pm – 4pm, 3:45pm – 7pm.
Shifts will start the week commencing 2 November and run through to the week commencing 9 February 2027, finishing at February half term.
Type of Voluntary Activity:
Befriending / Buddying
Caring
Customer Service
Miscellaneous
Retail
Role description:
Are you thinking about a future career in healthcare? Want to build confidence, meet new people, and get real experience in a clinical environment?
Our Ward Youth Volunteer programme is an opportunity designed especially for 16–25‑year‑olds who want to try out what it’s like to support patients and work alongside healthcare professionals.
As a Ward Volunteer, you'll be helping our ward team by:
* Spending time with patients, as guided by ward staff. This could include chatting, reading, playing a game, doing a simple craft activity or sitting with them.
* Helping the ward run smoothly by being a friendly point of contact for patients and visitors, taking messages, restocking essential items and letting staff know about low stock or damaged equipment.
* Preparing hot and cold drinks for patients and visitors and keeping the visitors’ drinks bay tidy and well stocked.
* Helping at mealtimes and with simple tasks, such as wiping tables, offering hand wipes, taking meals to patients, clearing away afterwards and wiping surfaces down.
You will also complete a workbook based on Skills for Health’s Care Standards. This will help you record and reflect on your experiences and what you have learnt during your time with us. The aim will be to give you content you can use to complete a university application or to prepare for a job interview.
The programme ends with a celebratory careers evening and certificate presentation, recognising your commitment, learning, and personal development.
Skills and behaviours needed for the role:
We're looking for people, aged 16 - 25, who are:
* Interested in a career in healthcare
* Friendly, kind, and respectful
* Able to follow hygiene and infection‑control procedures
* Reliable and able to work independently once trained
* Good communicators who aren’t afraid to ask for help
* Motivated to support patients, visitors, and staff
* (Optional) Experience in customer service, hospitality, or care — but it isn’t essential
* Aware of the importance of confidentiality
Will there be a DBS check? Yes
Driving Licence required? No
Volunteer's own vehicle required? No
Suitable for:
Groups
One-off Volunteering
Ongoing Volunteering
Short term Volunteering
Volunteers Under 18
What will the volunteer gain/benefit from:
You’ll become a valued member of our Inpatient Unit team building important skills that will support your future education or career:
* Communication skills through spending time with patients, families, and staff
* Collaboration and teamwork by working alongside the ward team and other volunteers
* Problem‑solving skills by responding positively to day‑to‑day challenges in a real-life clinical setting
* Dependability by committing to regular shifts and being a reliable part of the ward team
* Resilience by building confidence and adapting to a busy and sometimes emotionally challenging environment
* An innovative and curious mindset, learning about healthcare and asking questions along the way
* Self‑awareness and adaptability, reflecting on your experiences and adjusting to different situations and people
How to get involved:
Please visit our website and apply online through the link below
Web link: Click here
Closing date: 04-10-2026