Volunteering
At St Cuthbert’s Hospice, the support of volunteers is vital to allow us to provide high quality, individual care to our patients and their
relatives. There are currently over three hundred people who share their time, skills and experiences with the Hospice.
Whatever your interests and skills, there is a volunteer role at St Cuthbert’s to suit you. We can tailor the hours to fit around your
other commitments, and voluntary work at St Cuthbert’s can be weekly or monthly, or much more occasional, such as volunteering at one of our
fundraising events or street collections.
We have vacancies suitable for people of all ages, and full training and support will be provided from our Volunteer Co-ordinator and the
rest of the friendly staff.
We are always keen to hear from people who are interested in the Hospice. We have a broad range of opportunities on offer, from
helping to care for patients, to providing administration support, maintaining the beautiful grounds at Park House, to volunteering at one of
our shops. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people as well as support a local charity which provides care when people need it most.
To find out more about becoming a volunteer:
Please click here to print off our Volunteering Application Form. Fill in the form and return it to:
The Volunteer Co-ordinator,
St Cuthbert’s Hospice,
Park House Road,
Merryoaks,
Durham.
DH1 3QF.
Alternatively you can contact the Volunteer Co-ordinator before applying to discuss current vacancies by calling 0191 386 1170.
All our volunteers must provide two satisfactory references, and pass an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check
before they are able to begin volunteering at St Cuthbert’s.
“I enjoy helping in the gardens because of the company and crack – there’s a lot of camaraderie among the gardeners here at Park House”. Hospice
volunteer Tony Plowman talking about why he has been helping out in the gardens since 1995. He first visited St Cuthbert’s on an organised tour,
and when looking around the garden jokingly mentioned that the roses could do with pruning. He’s been helping to care for the Hospice’s six and
a half acre grounds ever since!
He’s one of a team of more than a dozen people who give up their time to look after the gardens, and the vegetable plot that supplies fresh
produce to the Hospice kitchen. Some volunteers commit to spending one or two half days each week, while others help out for an hour or two when
their other commitments allow.
Tony said “I help out a couple of days each week, and even more often in the summer. I find it therapeutic, and of course I enjoy the gardening!
It’s also very much for the patients – I like to give them something nice to look out onto, and somewhere pleasant to go and have a stroll, and
enjoy some fresh air and sunshine!”
Pamela Wood has been helping out in the Durham City Hospice Shop since 2000. She’s part of the team of ‘Wednesday Girls’ who sort clothing, stock
the shelves and serve the many customers who go into the shop on Claypath.
“I started volunteering just after I’d retired. I’d always fancied working in a shop, and never had, and it also gives shape to my week so that I
don’t fritter the time away” said Pamela. “It’s also gives me immense satisfaction to know that I’m helping a local charity which supports people
in real need” she added.
What has surprised Pamela is the social side to volunteering. “Although we do a lot of work in the shop, sorting and helping customers, volunteering
here has certainly helped me to meet new people and improve my social life, which has been an unexpected bonus. I’d recommend it to anyone”.