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: Ward Volunteers provide support to the Inpatient Unit 7 days a week from 8am-7pm over 4 shifts per day on a weekly or fortnightly rota:
Breakfast: 8:00am – 9:30am,
Morning: 9:30am -1:00pm,
Afternoon: 1:00pm – 4:00pm,
Evening: 4:00pm – 7:00pm.
There will be the opportunity to pick up extra shifts to cover gaps as required.
Type of Voluntary Activity:
Befriending / Buddying
Customer Service
Miscellaneous
Retail
Role description:
Our Ward Volunteers play an important role in creating a warm, welcoming environment for patients and visitors. This role offers the chance to make a real difference through practical, non-clinical support both in patient rooms and around the ward.
As a valued member of the Inpatient Unit Team, you will:
* Spend 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.
* Help 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.
* Help at mealtimes and with simple tasks, such as wiping tables, offering hand wipes, taking meals to patients, clearing away afterwards and wiping surfaces down.
Please note that the role does NOT include any personal care or clinical tasks.
Skills and behaviours needed for the role:
You don’t need previous experience — just a willingness to help and a kind, positive attitude. Our volunteers are:
* Kind, friendly and respectful towards patients, visitors and staff
* Reliable, calm and able to work independently once trained
* Able to follow guidance on keeping patients safe, maintaining hygiene and respecting confidentiality
* Good at communicating, willing to ask for help and keen to support the ward team
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:
Volunteering as a Ward Volunteer is a rewarding way to:
* Support patient experience and wellbeing
* Gain experience working within a clinical environment
* Develop teamwork and communication skills
* Make a meaningful contribution to our community
How to get involved:
Please visit our website and apply online using the link below
If you would prefer a paper application form please call us on 01904 777765 or visit any of our shops.
Web link: Click here
Closing date: 30-11-2026