Why volunteer?
Volunteering with Hospice Isle of Man is a rewarding way to meet new people, enjoy yourself, and develop new skills in a welcoming and supportive environment. By giving your time, you’ll be helping to make a meaningful difference to the lives of our patients and their families at some of the most challenging moments they face, while also supporting your local community and contributing to the ongoing success of Hospice.
People choose to volunteer with us for many different reasons. Alongside the opportunity to give something truly valuable, volunteering can help you learn new skills, build confidence, gain practical experience to enhance your CV, and connect with new people who share a desire to make a difference.
““I volunteer as a driver and support the In-Patient Unit and Day Unit receptions. I find real fulfilment in meeting people from all walks of life and being part of their stories, even in small ways. For me, volunteering isn’t just about giving back — it’s about connection, community, and continuing to live a meaningful life through service.””
Volunteer Opportunities
There are lots of ways to get involved and no matter the role, you can make a real difference to the people we care for. Below are some examples of volunteering opportunities we have available.
Hospice Reception
A chance to work in a friendly team, meet and greet patients and visitors, whilst also answering telephone calls and escorting visitors to the patients’ rooms. Our building has two reception areas which are mostly manned by our fantastic volunteers.
In our Hospice Shops
We have 9 charity shops located across the Island served by a friendly group of volunteers. Our volunteer shop roles include a mix of responsibilities including customer service, processing till sales and returns, visual merchandising and stock preparation including sorting, steaming and pricing.
At our events
Our events and fundraisers go a long way to helping us raise the vital funds we need to offer our services, and we simply couldn’t host these without the support of volunteers. Activities are ad hoc and range from car park attending, handing out refreshments to marshalling events, selling raffle tickets and managing stalls.
Elaine’s Café
Our lovely café sits in the heart of the Hospice building and has approximately 40 seats. Its open from 10am to 3pm each day and is run entirely by volunteers who greet customers, take orders through the till and serve food and drinks.
Corporate Volunteering
If your organization is actively looking to fulfill its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals, utilizing your allocated volunteering days is a fantastic and highly impactful way to do so. Taking the time to step away from the office allows your team to connect with the values that drive your business forward.
Collaborating as a collective team on these initiatives can significantly boost employee engagement, help develop vital leadership and problem-solving skills, and provide meaningful opportunities to make a tangible difference within the local community.
There are a wide variety of diverse ways for you and your colleagues to get involved, ranging from supporting hands-on environmental or gardening projects to providing essential assistance at high-profile fundraising events throughout the year.
Find out more about corporate volunteeringVolunteering Frequently Asked Questions
If you are new to volunteering or have never volunteered with us before, it is natural that you will have lots of questions. Here is a selection of some commonly asked questions to help you on your volunteering journey.
For insurance reasons, volunteers in our In-Patient Unit Reception must be aged 16 or over and Duke of Edinburgh volunteers must be aged 14 or over.
There is no upper age limit for volunteering with us, provided you are able to contribute safely and effectively, and the role is appropriate for you without posing any risk to your wellbeing.
Yes, Hospice Isle of Man’s liability insurance covers all our volunteers.
Most of our volunteering roles don’t require any special skills. If a particular role does call for specific experience, skills, or qualifications, we’ll make sure these are clearly explained in the role description.
Hospice is proud to support the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for young people on the Isle of Man. Whether it be the Bronze, Silver or Gold Award young people need to complete volunteering work and Hospice can provide such opportunities for young people aged 14 and over.
The time you spend volunteering can vary depending on the role. Some roles don’t require a set minimum commitment, while others may ask for a regular schedule. We understand that everyone has busy lives, so we offer flexible opportunities that can fit around your lifestyle. However much time you’re able to give, your support will have a real and lasting impact.
When you join the Hospice team, you’ll receive a warm welcome, full training for your role, and ongoing support to help you feel confident and valued as a volunteer.
How do I apply to become a volunteer?
To start your volunteering journey, you will need to complete our volunteer application form which you can find below. Once the application is submitted, someone will then be in touch to discuss the next steps.
This initial conversation is a great opportunity for us to get to know you better and align your unique skills with our current needs. Depending on the role, a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check may need to be carried out before you can start (Hospice covers the cost of this check).
We look forward to welcoming you to the team and supporting you as you make a meaningful difference in our community.
If you have any volunteering questions, please reach out to our volunteering team at: volunteer@hospice.org.im or call +44 (0)1624 647445/6.