The Ayrshire Hospice - Voluntary Services

Voluntary Services - Making a Difference

Volunteering with the Ayrshire Hospice

The role of Voluntary Services

Volunteers have supported the Hospice since its opening in 1989, now offering well-established voluntary services in many different areas on a regular basis. Volunteers enhance the existing services to patients and families and they make a positive contribution to Hospice life.

Volunteers participate in orientation and specific training for the area where they help out. They are expected to be reliable, trustworthy and discreet in their involvement with the Hospice.



	How are volunteers involved? All of the work done by volunteers is essential and meaningful work. Extra staff would require to be employed, or existing staff deployed, to cover the volume of work done. There are over 200 volunteers on the Hospice Volunteer register, working in the following teams: Reception; Day Hospice; Gardens; In-patient Unit; Driving; Minibus; Flower; Plant Care; Sewing; Administration; Hairdressing; Occupational Therapy; Complementary Therapy; Craft, Meals; Speakers; Catering; Chaplaincy and Education / Stewarding. The Hospice volunteer teams are money savers rather than money raisers.


Volunteers more suited to Fundraising are directed to the Fundraising Manager following the same initial application via the Voluntary Services Manager. Shop volunteers often apply locally through their nearest Hospice shop and are the responsibility of the Shop Co-ordinator. There are over 200 volunteers helping run the six Hospice shops and all the other fundraising events, lottery, and local friends group activities. Please click here to access a copy of the latest Voluntary Services “Involve” Newsletter.

How much time should a volunteer expect to give?

Volunteer teams are involved in the various areas of support seven days a week between 8.30am and 9 pm, and in fundraising may occasionally be outwith these hours for a specific event or activity. It is usual for volunteers to help out once per week for approximately 2-4 hours, though this varies. Volunteers need to be reliable and committed to their role so that the various Voluntary Services offered can be continued on a regular basis. Your interview should help clarify which area is most suitable for you.

How do I apply?

Complete an application form and return it to us at the Hospice - application forms available by clicking here; or by telephoning the Hospice (01292) 269200 - to request an application pack to be sent out; or by popping into the Hospice or your nearest Hospice shop to collect an application form.



What happens then? When an application form has been received, your references will be taken up, and an initial interview will be arranged with the Voluntary Services Manager to discuss your offer of help. Please allow 2-3 weeks for this to take place. As the Hospice serves a vulnerable group of people, a Disclosure check will be requested. Volunteers are placed (after attending the general induction) according to their interests, skills and experience, along with the needs of the Hospice at the time.


	Will I receive training? All volunteers are offered a general induction to the Hospice setting and further specific training for the area where they will be based. Additional Helping Skills and Health & Safety training is also provided. Ongoing support is provided via regular meetings and further training as required.



What are we looking for? People above the age of 16 years old. People with compassion, sensitivity and a willingness to be involved in the service. People looking for a rewarding and structured way to utilize their spare time. People who wish to give something back to the community they live in. People looking to share their existing skills and ideas for the benefit of others. People with a desire to develop new skills and a route to a new career or opportunity. People who can become valuable ambassadors to the community outside sharing the vision and philosophy of the Hospice with their friends and neighbours.

Why Volunteer?

The advantages of involving volunteers are many; not only do they provide services which we could not afford otherwise; volunteers enhance the surroundings; complement and extend the existing services to patients and families in so many ways. Volunteers sense of commitment and enthusiasm is a positive contribution to Hospice life and is a reminder of the support given so generously by the community to keep the Hospice running.

Personally for Volunteers there are many rewards:

Make new friends, meet new people

Put structure into the week, and use time purposefully

Get satisfaction from involvement

Support something that means a lot to you

Useful addition to CV/future career through skills development

Volunteer Comments

‘….thank you for giving me some experience which proved a delight at the same time.

Everyone I met during my 10 months was a pleasure to work with….’

‘Working at the Hospice gave me a unique perspective on palliative care in the community…’

‘Volunteering at the Hospice has been a valuable experience and one that will stand me in

good stead for my future career in medicine’

For more volunteer and staff comments on volunteering at The Ayrshire Hospice

please click here to access the latest survey results (2007)


Current Voluntary Vacancies Our door is open to all general applications, however we currently require help specifically in the following teams: - Patient Transport team with own car from East Ayrshire area (weekday) Patient Escorts (Mondays / Fridays) Physiotherapy Team Assistants (weekday) Shop Teams (various times) Clinical Assistants for Ward to help feed patients at mealtimes (various times) We strongly encourage applications from black and minority ethnic people, deaf and disabled people, and all members of the wider community.

Contact Us

Contact the Voluntary Services Department on 01292 294411 for further details

or email Hilary Denholm, Voluntary Services Manager or Pauline Lees, Voluntary Services Assistant.