Volunteering at St Mary’s Hospice
Volunteers are at the heart of St Mary’s Hospice. From helping in our café and shops to supporting events and patient care, their time and dedication make a real difference. We have a wide range of volunteer opportunities in the south of Cumbria, with roles varying depending on service needs and new opportunities regularly available.
Join us and support local people when they need it most.
Why Volunteer
Volunteering with St Mary’s is about connection, purpose, and being part of something truly meaningful. Our volunteers aren’t just helpers—they’re part of the St Mary’s family, playing a vital role in delivering compassionate care every day.
With over 300 volunteers contributing their unique skills and stories, each person helps keep our services running smoothly and makes a real difference to patients and families. People choose to volunteer with us for many reasons—to develop new skills and support their future careers, to meet new people and form lasting friendships, to give back to their community, and simply to enjoy being part of a warm, welcoming team.No matter your background or availability, we’re here to support you throughout your volunteering journey.
If you’re ready to join our community, please get in touch – we’d love to welcome you!
Our Volunteering Roles
At St Mary’s Hospice, we offer a wide range of rewarding volunteering opportunities to suit different skills, interests, and availability. Whether you’d like to support patients and families directly or prefer a behind-the-scenes role, there’s a place for you on our team. From reception and retail to companionship and admin, every role makes a meaningful difference. No experience is necessary — just a willingness to help and a kind heart.
If you’re interested in finding out more about volunteering with us, we’d love to hear from you! Please email volunteering@stmaryshospice.org.uk for more information and a friendly chat.
Non-Clinical Volunteering Roles
Reception
A morning or afternoon meeting and greeting visitors, answering the phone, dealing with enquiries and problem solving. Volunteers are needed for both Barrow and Ulverston.
Orangery Café
The cafe assistant will take orders using the EPOS till system, serve food and drink, clear tables and undertake tasks required by the kitchen staff.
Retail Shops & Furniture Warehouse
Support our shops or warehouse by sorting, pricing, and selling donated goods, delivering great customer service, handling stock, and assisting with collections or deliveries if required.
Fundraising
Get involved in fundraising by helping at events, distributing posters, collecting and banking donations from local businesses, or supporting supermarket and shopping centre collections.
Gardening
Support the upkeep of hospice gardens with seasonal tasks like planting, pruning, and bed maintenance. Gardening experience and a passion for working outdoors as part of a team are essential.
Car Maintenance
Carry out monthly vehicle checks, transport vehicles for services and MOTs, and report issues. Basic car maintenance knowledge, flexibility, and health and safety awareness are essential.
Trustees
St Mary’s Hospice is seeking new Trustees. Trustees attend about 12 meetings yearly, plus occasional events and training. This is a volunteer role with expenses covered. If you’re passionate about helping us grow and making a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Clinical Volunteering Roles
In-Patient Unit
Deliver and collect patient meal trays, assist with serving if needed, and help the kitchen with washing up and keeping the area clean and tidy. Keeping patients company.
Family and Bereavement Support Service
Flexible hours – offering a listening ear and giving patients and families the time and space to share their thoughts. Support provided through one-to-one and group sessions.
Compassionate Community Activities
Support the team by preparing the space, welcoming and engaging patients, assisting with activities and refreshments, and providing a friendly, confidential, and supportive environment throughout the day.
Drivers
Provide safe, timely transport for patients to and from the hospice, offering a friendly, supportive presence while assisting with mobility and ensuring comfort throughout the journey.
Let Us Help You Find Your Perfect Volunteering Role
Finding the right volunteering role can make all the difference—for you and the people you support. At St Mary’s Hospice, we understand that everyone’s skills, interests, and availability are unique. That’s why we’re here to help you discover a role that fits you perfectly. Whether you want to work directly with patients, assist behind the scenes, or support fundraising efforts, we have a wide variety of opportunities to explore.
Our friendly team will guide you through the options, answer your questions, and help match you with a role where you can make the greatest impact. Let’s find your perfect volunteering fit together!
Frequently Asked Questions
Just click below to find answers to common questions we receive about volunteering at St Mary’s Hospice.
People volunteer for many reasons including:
• To make a difference
• To learn new skills
• To gain valuable experience for the future
• To fill a gap in working life
• To meet new people
• To help with gaining a recognised award e.g. DofE
We have volunteers of all ages and from all walks of life. There are opportunities both at the Hospice and in your local community.
Our volunteers are people who care and enjoy helping, supporting and being with others
In most roles no special skills are needed but you must have a commitment to confidentiality and to being a reliable member of the team. Some roles may need more specific skills but full training will be given.
We welcome volunteers of all ages:
In the retail outlets and the Orangery café the minimum age is 14 yrs.
For volunteers with Community Neighbours and Family & Bereavement Support the minimum age is 18 yrs.
For all our other volunteer areas the minimum age is 16 yrs.
After we receive your application form we will contact you either to arrange an interview or a taster session. We will then send for your references. Once received, we will invite you to an Induction and progress from there.
That really depends on the role. Some roles require half a day a week commitment, some a couple of hours; some are flexible over the week. You may just want to help out a couple of times a year at fundraising events.
Yes, if you have the time and the energy. Some roles are flexible and can work around your availability.
Every Volunteer will be line managed and supported by a member of staff in their place of volunteering. All volunteers are supported by our Volunteer Support Managers.
Every new member of our team is expected to attend a General Hospice Induction. You will learn new skills whilst undertaking your specific role. We also offer additional training opportunities which varies from role to role and could cover such topics as Customer Service, Till Training, Lone working or Moving and Handling People.
We cover expenses for volunteers using their own vehicle whilst on duty: e.g. patient driving.
In any other areas consideration will be given on an individual basis.
• Give you an insight into the work
• Learn new skills
• Boost your CV
• Learn from other’s experience and knowledge
• Provide a reference
Not for every role but if you are involved with patients/client contact or finance then yes.
No. Volunteering does not affect the benefit payments you receive. Volunteers are not paid for their time.
Yes you can. If you are U16 in the cafe or a shop/warehouse. If you are 16+ then nearly all other areas. We do expect a commitment of 50 hours to be able to complete your qualification and also give a bit of extra time back to the charity.
If you are from outside the UK you must make sure you have the right to volunteer under your visa or entry clearance condition. You can check with http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.
• Give you an insight into the work
• Learn new skills
• Boost your CV
• Learn from other’s experience and knowledge
• Provide a reference
