How can I make a difference? The help given by our Volunteer Support Workers means a great deal to vulnerable, bereaved people in the community. You can really make a difference by supporting people as they find ways to live with their grief and manage their day to day lives.

What does this role involve? You may work with someone quite soon after their loved one has died or some time afterwards, depending on their need for support. You will visit the person and give them a chance to talk about how they feel and what is worrying them. Sometimes people need help to develop their confidence and find ways of coping and you can work on this together. A main part of your role will be to help the bereaved person to contact and get support from various organisations and services as needed. For instance, this could involve dealing with phone calls and helping with  paperwork, helping with  benefits applications and financial problems, accompanying the person to appointments and so on.

Where would I work?  Mainly in the person’s home /in the community or sometimes at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice.

Hours: Flexible – generally 2-6 hours per week – it is helpful if you can commit to volunteering every week but you can take time off if you need a break.

How will I be supported in my volunteer work? You will be supported by the Volunteer Support Worker Coordinator and Head of the Family and Carer Support Team and you will receive full training for this role.

Aziz is one of our Volunteer Support Workers :

"Before I started my role, I was really surprised at how committed the Hospice was to training volunteers to ensure they have the right skills and knowledge to support people." - Aziz, Volunteer Support Worker (read his story here)

Will the role suit me? YES, if you are…

  • Someone with good listening and communication skills
  • Able to understand how loss and distress can affect people
  • Practical and resourceful
  • Able to work in a positive and professional manner
  • Someone who has not had a significant bereavement within 2 years

What can Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice offer me as a volunteer?

  • You will become a member of a friendly, professional, multi-disciplinary team 
  • A chance to use your skills and experience to support others in need 
  • We give you full training and ongoing development within the volunteer role

Interested? We would be very pleased to speak to you – feel free to ring us for a quick chat or to arrange to come to the Hospice for a longer discussion about this exciting volunteer role.

For more information, please contact:

Zoe Mather   Volunteer Support Worker Coordinator (0121 752 8754)

To apply please click on the link below where you can download the role description and role specification and complete the Volunteer Enrolment Form and Equality Monitoring Form

Volunteer Support Worker Specification

Volunteer Support Worker Role Description

Volunteer Enrolment Form

Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form

Please send completed forms to: [email protected]

Alternatively you can post them to:

HR Department, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, 176 Raddlebarn Road, Selly Park, Birmingham, B29 7DA

Registered Charity no. 503456

The Hospice is committed to developing a dynamic and diverse workforce representative of the communities it serves We ask you, therefore, to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form to help us in this aim.