Day in, day out, our volunteers stand alongside our staff delivering a wonderful service for local people. Without them, the hospice would simply stop; it's as simple as that.

We are always looking for new volunteers who have time to spare, whether for a few hours a day, a week, a month, a year, it all counts. If you would like to become a volunteer, you can either apply online or download an application form.

For more information, please contact Lynette Granger, Volunteer Coordinator on 01625 610364 or email volunteer@echospice.org.uk.

Roles in volunteering

• Transporting patients to and from the hospice for day care
• General assistance on the ward
• Flower Services
• Bereavement Counselling
• Complementary Therapists
• Reception
• Clerical or PC Skills
• Fundraising
• Charity Shops
• General assistance in day care

Transporting patients to and from the hospice for day care back to top

You will be responsible under the direction of the day care staff for transporting patients in your own vehicle from their home to the Hospice and returning them back to their homes, using the moving and handling instructions given to you upon commencement. Fuel reimbursement is available. All drivers must be checked by the Criminal Record Bureau (CRB).

General assistance on the ward back to top

Hours: 9.30 am – 11.30 am, 12.15 pm – 2.15 pm, 5.15 pm – 7.15 pm

Ward assistants work under the direction of the ward staff at all times, assisting in most areas caring for the patients. You will be expected to answer the telephone in their absence, attend to patient call bells and give assistance if possible. See to any refreshments required and help patients with their meals and fluids where appropriate. On a morning shift you will also help with setting up linen trolleys, bed making and removal of laundry, etc.

Flower Services back to top

Hours: 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm

Flower arrangers are responsible for all the patients’ flowers and arrangements and displays around the Hospice ensuring as a priority that flower vases have clean water. Arrange on a daily basis the chapel pedestal and displays. Rearrange our many donated flower bouquets. Ensure plants are watered regularly and assist with special displays for Christmas, special events, etc. Talk with the patients when attending to their flowers.

Bereavement Counselling back to top

Bereavement Counsellors work under the guidance of the Social Work department and provide counselling, reassurance, help and a supportive relationship to the bereaved. They attend drop-in group sessions, and special remembering services held three monthly in the Hospice. Every counsellor must be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

Complementary Therapists back to top

To provide a holistic approach to patients and their carers, in collaboration with other members of the team, in order to ensure the provision of the highest quality of care. To provide a service as a member of the Complementary Therapists team, working under the direction of the senior therapist. Practicing the therapy which has been agreed in accordance with the policies and the East Cheshire Hospice. Volunteer therapists are bound by the code of practice of the professional organisation of which they are a member.

Reception back to top

Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 am – 1pm, 1 pm – 5 pm, 5 pm – 7 pm, 7 pm – 9 pm

Saturday and Sunday: 10 am – 12 noon, 12 noon – 2 pm, 2 pm – 5 pm, 5 pm – 7 pm, 7 pm – 9 pm.

Receptionists provide a professional but friendly reception to the Hospice, either by telephone or in person. They are expected to be conversant with the telephone system (training is given) and conduct themselves in a professional, polite and helpful manner at all times. They will receive visitors in a courteous and sympathetic way when dealing with relatives and their enquiries. Accompany relatives or visitors to the appropriate areas when visiting for the first time. Be responsible for selling our Hospice goods and able to operate the electric till (training is given). Assist with the Hospice post.

Clerical or PC Skills back to top

To assist with any database input, word processing and general office tasks.

Fundraising back to top

The friendly fundraising team is always keen to welcome new volunteers. And there’s lots of ways to help out, either in the fundraising office, at home or at your place of leisure, work or worship.


No matter what you’re interested in and how much time you have to spare, you can have a part to play in keeping the funds coming in. If you’d like to know more about how you can help, ring Lynette today.

For more information about fundraising, please click here

Charity Shops back to top
The income we receive from both our shops is one of the most regular forms of funding we receive and plays a vital role in securing the ability of the Hospice to deliver its services and care for the community.

Congleton Book and Video Shop

The types of tasks involved include:

* Helping customers in a courteous manner and being the public face of the Hospice.
* Sorting books and videos, helping with collation, displays and pricing.
* Prepare discarded books and videos for collection.
* Be conversant with the electric till and wrapping of customers’ gifts.

Macclesfield

The types of tasks involved include:

* Helping customers in a courteous manner and being the public face of the Hospice.
* Sorting goods, helping with the shop layout and displays, sizing and pricing.
* Preparing discarded goods for collection.
* Be conversant with the electric till and wrapping of customers’ goods.


General assistance in day care back to top

Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30 am – 1 pm, 1 pm – 4 pm

The day care assistant will be expected to see to the patients’ comfort, by greeting them and making them comfortable, help with preparing and serving refreshments as required. See to the layout of the dining tables, help the patients select their lunch from menus, assist with the serving of lunch, clearing the tables and loading the dishwasher. Assist with recreational activities organised by the therapists and exercising under the direction of the physiotherapist. Join in with any appropriate entertainment and converse and listen as much as possible. Work under the direction of the staff.