Why join Volunteer to Career?
- Get hand-on experience in a chosen career
- Receive support and dedicated 1:1 mentorship
- Boost your CV and get a reference
- Gain skills for careers
- Grow in confidence and make friends
- Make a difference
Volunteer to Career
Volunteering at St Oswald's Hospice as part of the Volunteer to Career pathway could provide you with invaluable tools as you move towards a rewarding career.
What is Volunteer to Career?
The Volunteer to Career pathway allows people to explore careers while volunteering.
It provides the opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in a particular profession.
The pathway gives you invaluable insight into practical settings, enhancing your knowledge, and boosting your employability.
the space retail_web 2
Volunteer
Volunteer to Career is a great opportunity if:
- You want a change in career but don’t know where to start.
- You’re not sure if a career in your chosen field is for you and want to try it out before applying for a paid job or course.
- You have been out of work for a length of time and need a gradual route back into work.
- You’ve been turned down for jobs due to lack of knowledge and experience.
“Volunteering at St Oswald’s Hospice has developed my skills and confidence with patients, which will definitely help me in my future healthcare career.” Matthew
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The pathway is for anyone who is interested in a new career and wants to gain hands-on experience in a particular profession.
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds across the communities we serve.
Volunteering is completely free of charge.
No previous experience or qualifications are needed to apply.
No. You don’t have to pay for the training, you only need to volunteer your time.
If you are not already an active volunteer, you will need to go through the recruitment process to become a volunteer – see our current opportunities on our website.
NB: These do change regularly so please keep checking.
Please see the individual role descriptions on our volunteering opportunities page.
As well as gaining unique hands on-experience in your chosen profession and knowledge from your hospice mentor, we also work with a number of partners to provide comprehensive support to help build your skills and confidence for future opportunities.
This includes:
- Access to CV writing and interview skills workshops, guidance on crafting compelling personal statements, and support with job applications.
- Interactive “Ask the Experts” Q&A sessions with experienced professionals.
All participants in the Volunteer to Career pathway will receive a Certificate of Completion along with a personalised Portfolio of Evidence.
The comprehensive portfolio will document your growth, achievements, and experiences throughout the pathway, and will serve as a powerful testament to your dedication and the skills you’ve gained on your journey.
You will be supported each step of the way by a mentor who is experienced in your chosen field and will help you learn the skills you need.
Volunteer to Career opportunities are available in a number of our departments, including:
- Lymphoedema Service
- Adult Inpatient Service
- Retail
Other areas will follow so keep checking back.
This will be discussed during the informal chat and agreed.
Some of our clinical roles do require you to complete a minimum of 4 hours volunteering per week.
To get the best out of Volunteer to Career we would suggest a 6 to 12-month commitment.
Our V2C pathways are designed to provide experience in several career areas.
We currently offer volunteering in clinical settings (Lymphoedema Service and Adult Inpatient Service), which are ideal for those thinking about a career in health and social care.
We also offer the pathway in retail.
More areas to follow.
Some of our V2C pathways are based in a clinical setting and will include working with patients in our Lymphedema Service and or Adult Inpatient Unit.
These pathways are ideal for those looking at a career in health and social care.
This will apply depending on your volunteer role. This will be discussed in your informal chat with us.
Phones must be kept in your locker while volunteering. If you need to use your phone during a shift, please speak to your Volunteer Link.
Yes. Travel is reimbursed via a travel form. Paid travel tickets must be provided and / or mileage recorded. Forms will be checked and signed by your Volunteer Link as per our travel expenses policy.
There are several mandatory online courses that must be completed before you start. An induction period with training will also be planned for you.
During your volunteering, you will receive ongoing training, guidance and support from our team and you will also receive regular 1:1 mentoring sessions throughout the Volunteer to Career pathway.
Please take a look at our current volunteering opportunities on our website here.