If you are new to volunteering or have never volunteered with St Gemma’s before, it is natural that you will have lots of questions. If we haven’t answered your question here, or you need further advice or information, please call us on 0113 218 5500.
What age do I have to be?
Volunteers in shops and at fundraising events must be aged 16 or over. However, volunteers aged between 14 and 16 are permitted in shops and at fundraising events as part of either a formal work experience arrangement with their school or as part of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. The Hospice will ask any young person under the age of 18 who is participating in any voluntary activity to complete a parental consent form. In addition, the Hospice will complete a young person risk assessment.
There is no maximum age as long as you can make a useful and safe contribution, the activity is suitable for your age and won’t harm you in any way.
Am I legally entitled to volunteer in the UK?
If you are a UK Citizen you are free to volunteer. The majority of EU Citizens are free to volunteer within the UK. For those from outside the EU we advise that you contact the UK Borders and Immigration Agency to find out if your visa allows you to volunteer.
Do I need any particular skills or qualifications?
I’d like to carry out a clinical placement at the Hospice. How do I get started?
Please be aware that we do not offer clinical/work placements to individuals less than 18 years of age in any area of the Hospice. For more information please visit www.st-gemma.co.uk/AUPC-placement-application, call 0113 218 5500 or email Trish Stockton on TrishS@st-gemma.co.uk.
I have recently suffered a bereavement. Can I volunteer at St Gemma’s?
The company I work for allows me and my colleagues to have time off work to volunteer. Can St Gemma’s host a team of corporate volunteers?
You might be undertaking tasks such as helping to set up for our events, support on the day of our events (usually weekends), gardening projects, skills sharing, sorting donated stock at our retail warehouse in Bramley, making up fundraising packs, supermarket bag packs and working in our Hospice shops. Volunteers always get a warm welcome and are very much appreciated.
Some volunteering opportunities are in high demand and may be reserved for companies that support us as part of a charity of the year partnership. To support St Gemma’s Hospice through workplace volunteering please contact us on corporatevolunteering@st-gemma.co.uk or call 0113 2185500.
I have a criminal record. Can I volunteer?
How much time do I need to give?
Will I be trained?
How will I be kept up to date with news from the Hospice?
We will post a Newsletter to you three times a year, and send you our ‘Volunteers’ eNews’ via email once a month.
Keeping up to date with our news means that you not only have the latest messages and information for yourself, but also to share with your friends, family and your local community.
How do you reward and recognise your volunteers?
Additionally, we often celebrate our volunteers across our social media channels and feature case studies. Please let us know if you would like to be featured!
Will I be insured?
However, the insurance policy does not cover volunteers aged under 16 or over 85 for personal assault when undertaking cash handling activities such as using a till, bucket collections or manning a tombola. This means that you would not be covered for any injury caused to you in the unlikely event of a robbery. Therefore, for you protection, you cannot undertake cash handling activities if you are under 16 or over 85.
For some volunteer roles, such as complementary therapy volunteering, we may ask you to arrange your own professional indemnity insurance.