Volunteering

The importance of voluntary work

Supporting children, teenagers and young adults with life-limiting illnesses, as well as their families, relies on many helping hands. Anyone who volunteers at the children’s hospice makes an indispensable contribution to maintaining our wide-ranging services. Volunteers contribute their time, skills and life experience to support our full-time team. They are a vital pillar of our organisation and play a key role in creating a pleasant and supportive atmosphere for our guests.

A wide range of roles within the hospice

Volunteering involves direct contact with our young guests. Volunteers spend time with the children and young people, whether reading aloud, playing games or going for walks, thereby giving parents some extra breathing space. This also takes the pressure off our full-time team. A prerequisite for this is professional preparation for their tasks through the ‘Training for Volunteer Children’s and Youth Hospice Helpers’ programme.

Training and support

To meet the high standards of our organisation, we place great emphasis on thorough induction and support for all volunteers. Before actually starting their voluntary work at the children’s hospice, those interested complete preparatory courses that equip them to deal sensitively with the families concerned. Throughout their work, volunteers are also continuously supported by full-time professionals. Regular discussion groups and training opportunities ensure the quality of the work and also offer volunteers the chance to reflect on their own experiences of dealing with illness and bereavement.