Welcome to St Margaret’s Hospice Care Volunteer to Career (VtC) programme, a unique opportunity to kick-start a healthcare career through volunteering
What is Volunteer to Career?
Volunteer to Career provides a great opportunity for people to explore a range of healthcare careers and develop skills and confidence through volunteering.
Working as part of the wider multidisciplinary team, the volunteers will help support the coordination and provision of high-quality hospice care. The volunteers will assist with the facilitation of therapeutic group activities, support treatment programmes, provide low level emotional support and social interaction for patients attending our Sunflower Centre Day Hospice. They will also work alongside our skilled advisors in our busy Central Referral Centre, helping to provide low level guidance and support for patients and their families as well as assist with administration tasks.
Who is the programme for?
Volunteer to Career is primarily for people at the start of their career, looking to switch or get back into a career following a break. The programme offers a unique way to gain valuable experience, develop skills and confidence in a health and care environment through practical hands-on experience.
The programme helps individuals to explore a range of hospice career pathways with a view to applying for paid positions in the health care sector or applying for courses or to gain accredited qualifications in a healthcare career.
The next round of Volunteer to Career placements will commence in June 2025 for a period of 12 weeks. Successful volunteers will be required to undertake two placements during this period, in our Sunflower Centre Day Hospice and our Central Referral Centre. Volunteers will be required to commit to a minimum of 1 shift a week, 9.30am – 2.30pm on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Volunteer to Career placements are available at both our Taunton and Yeovil hospice hub locations.
Volunteers will be assigned a placement mentor who will provide regular 1:1 guidance and support throughout their placement. Volunteers will also receive a comprehensive induction and ongoing training and development provided by experienced and skilled staff to help introduce volunteers to the work of the hospice.
How will I benefit from Volunteer to Career programme?
Through Volunteer to Career, volunteers will be able to explore a range of hospice careers. The programme is a great way to learn more about hospice care and the wide range of services that are provided to patients and their families across Somerset. The programme can act as a stepping stone for volunteers to be able to use their experience when applying for paid positions in the health and care sector or applying for courses or to gain accredited qualifications in a healthcare career.
I’m interested in Volunteer to Career, what next?
If you’re ready to make a difference and take the next steps in a career in healthcare, then we would love to hear from you. To find out more about the Volunteer to Career Pathway please contact us at [email protected] and one of our friendly team will be in touch to organise a chat.
Volunteer to Career
Volunteer to Career application/registration of interest
