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.
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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.
“I’ve had opportunities I never thought I’d get. Volunteer to Career has boosted my confidence, helped me develop my skills, and given me a better understanding of healthcare from both the patient and professional point of view.” – Iona
Meet Iona
Meet Iona
Iona shares how the Volunteer to Career programme at St Oswald’s Hospice opened the door to new opportunities.
Read her storyThe impact of your volunteering...
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hours of giving pays for one day's supply of oxygen, vital to many of the people staying on our Adult Inpatient Unit
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hours of giving will fund a session of one to one bereavement support for an adult or child who is struggling with the loss of a loved one
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hours of volunteering provides a three-night short break for a child, with expert care and peace of mind for their family
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hours of giving funds six hours of nursing care, helping someone feel safe and comforted when they need it most
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 – it’s completely free to join. We also cover your travel expenses, and there’s no cost for a DBS check if one is required for the role.
Volunteer to Career opportunities are available in several areas including:
- Lymphoedema Service
- Adult Inpatient Service
- Retail
We’re continuing to grow the programme, so please check back – we’d love to welcome you into one of our future roles too.
You’ll get hands-on experience across a range of roles. These may include supporting people directly with their care, gaining exposure to clinical environments, working alongside healthcare professionals, and learning essential patient-care practices.
You could also help in retail, where you’ll assist customers, prepare stock, take part in events, or volunteer behind the scenes.
As you volunteer, you’ll build important skills like communication, teamwork, empathy and professionalism, and develop a strong understanding of what good support and service look like in any role.
As well as gaining unique hands-on experience in your chosen profession – and learning directly from your mentor – we’ll also help you build the key skills you need to grow and feel confident in your next steps. You’ll have access to:
- CV writing and interview skills support
- Guidance on crafting compelling personal statements
- Support with job applications
- Interactive “Ask the Experts” Q&A sessions with experienced professionals
- Communication and teamwork development
- Empathy and relationship-building
- Professionalism and working to recognised standards
- Shadowing opportunities
- A portfolio of evidence that captures everything you’ve achieved
All participants in the Volunteer to Career pathway will receive a Certificate of Completion along with a personalised Portfolio of Evidence.
Your portfolio will record your growth, achievements, and experiences throughout the pathway, and is yours to keep and update as you continue on your career journey. It’s a great way to showcase what you’ve learned – so make sure to log everything as you go!
You’ll be paired with an experienced mentor who will support your development, help you set goals, offer feedback, and guide you through your volunteering journey.
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.
We ask for a commitment of at least 12 months. This gives you plenty of time to build your skills, complete your portfolio, and get the most out of the Volunteer to Career experience.
Our Volunteer to Career 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.
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. Before you start, you’ll complete a number of mandatory online courses, followed by an induction to help you settle into your role.
During your volunteering, you’ll continue to receive training, guidance and support that’s tailored to the area you’re volunteering in. Some training – such as retail or Gift Aid training – may take place once you’ve begun your role, depending on what’s required.
If you have any questions about Volunteer to Career, please email volunteer@stoswaldsuk.org
To apply, please visit our volunteering opportunities page and see which vacancies are part of our Volunteer to Career programme.