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Family Support Volunteers

change a family's say in the most meaningful way. Join us as a Family Support Volunteer!

Volunteering as a Family Support Volunteer is a flexible, rewarding and truly meaningful way to make a difference in the lives of children facing life‑shortening conditions, and their families.

You’ll be carefully matched with a family based on your skills, availability, location, and the family’s needs. You’ll receive full training and ongoing guidance from our experienced Community Team, ensuring you always feel confident and supported.

As a Family Support Volunteer, you may offer social support like befriending, being a listening ear, or meeting a parent for a coffee or lunch. You may also provide practical help such as household chores, shopping, gardening, maintenance, or reading with children. You’ll also be welcomed into our volunteer community and invited to Tŷ Hafan social activities throughout the year.

Volunteering to support our families is a fantastic way to use your existing skills, learn new ones, meet new people, and make a positive impact in your community.

If you'd like to apply, you can explore our available roles below.
For questions, contact our Family Support Volunteer Manager at debbie.allison@tyhafan.org or call 029 2053 2254.

Alternatively, if you would like to arrange a callback to discuss the role, please click here to complete a short form.

The difference you'll make

Your support helps families during some of the most challenging times of their lives. Even small acts of kindness can create moments of comfort and connection.

As a Family Support Volunteer, you help families by:

  • Giving parents precious time back with their child
  • Lightening the load of daily tasks
  • Offering emotional support and companionship
  • Creating joyful, calm, or reassuring moments for siblings
  • Helping families feel less isolated
  • Being a consistent, caring presence when life feels uncertain.

A little help from you can make a very big difference.

How to apply

Infographic titled ‘Becoming a Family Support Volunteer is simple’. It displays a five‑step process using colourful numbered circles. Step 1: ‘Browse available roles’. Step 2: ‘Complete an application form’. Step 3: ‘Meet us for an informal chat’. Step 4: ‘Complete checks and training’. Step 5: ‘Begin making a difference!’.


Overseas Applications

Please note, while we at Tŷ Hafan pride ourselves on being inclusive of all individuals who wish to volunteer, we are not currently a sponsor license holder so we are not able to support any overseas VISA applications.


Useful Links

Ty Hafan's Volunteer Handbook

Volunteering FAQs - Ty Hafan

Family Support Volunteer Role

Volunteer Gardener

As a Gardening Volunteer in family homes, you’ll make a real difference to families with children facing complex health needs.

Having access to a secure garden or outdoor area can be crucial for providing opportunities to play and relax, which can be invaluable for the mental well-being of these families.

Our Gardening Volunteer role supports numerous Tŷ Hafan families who find it difficult to maintain their gardens or outdoor spaces, alongside providing around the clock care for their child.

Often, once the space has been cleared, the task becomes more manageable and less daunting, giving families the breathing space they need to maintain the area by themselves.

 


Considerations:

Age requirement: 21+

Location: Across South & West Wales (in your local area)

Time commitment: Flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate your personal schedule. The support plans designed for referred families are typically structured to span a period of six weeks.

Background checks: Enhanced DBS check, 2 references and induction/training course required before starting.

Due to the nature of the role, we are looking for volunteers with some skills, experience and knowledge of gardening, either as a profession or as a hobby.


Activities include:

• Mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, and pruning shrubs/trees;

• Disposal of garden waste;

• Planting bulbs and tidying up flower beds;

• General tidy up of outdoor spaces;

• Other ad-hoc gardening tasks on a seasonal basis.

Click here to view a full role description


 Training you will receive:

You will receive a comprehensive introduction to Tŷ Hafan and your role, to include an in-person Induction and Training Programme as well as additional e-learning.

You will be a part of a friendly and supportive team who will assist you with any queries or concerns through regular and ongoing meetings.

Other role and organisation specific training is available including both supplementary and mandatory training.

All volunteers must maintain their mandatory training to continue in their role.


The benefits of becoming a Gardening Volunteer in Family Homes:

• Make a positive difference in the lives of children with life-shortening conditions and their families, by creating and maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces for them to enjoy;

• Attend Volunteer Celebration Events throughout the year;

• Meet new people and join a friendly community of volunteers, passionate about helping others;

• Develop your existing gardening skills and knowledge;

• Expenses will be provided following discussion about the role.


At Tŷ Hafan our people values are working together, demonstrating compassion, providing excellent service and taking ownership.

We expect all colleagues and volunteers to behave with high levels of integrity and to represent our values as a core part of their role. 

This role is purely voluntary and this arrangement is not meant to be a legally binding one or an employment contract.

  

Practical Support Volunteer

Joining this role means you'll be at the heart of providing essential support to families facing the unimaginable; caring for their child who's life will be short.

Many families in Wales are unfortunately facing this challenge alone, without support from others.

As a Family Support Volunteer with Tŷ Hafan, you’ll help ease the everyday pressures families face by offering help in the home. This might include light cleaning, tidying, laundry, garden maintenance or supporting the siblings, whatever matches your skills and the family’s needs.

Your support will give families the breathing space to focus on what matters most: spending time together.


Considerations:

Age requirement: 21+

Location: Across South & West Wales (in your local area)

Time commitment: Flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate your personal schedule. The support plans designed for referred families are typically structured to span a period of six weeks.

Background checks: Enhanced DBS check, 2 references and induction/training course required before starting.

Due to the nature of the role, we are looking for volunteers with some skills, experience and knowledge of gardening, either as a profession or as a hobby.


Activities include:

• Practical support activities such as supporting with housework, decluttering spaces or gardening

• Child focused activities such as reading, play and providing fun 

• Wellbeing & therapeutic support (if qualified) such as complimentary therapies and mindfulness

• Family support & companionship activities such as offering emotional support and conversation, accompanying families to appointments, etc.

These activities can be matched to each volunteer’s skills, experience, and comfort level, and always tailored to the family’s preferences and needs.

Click here to view a full role description


We are looking for volunteers who:

• Can empathise with the families you are helping and show them kindness and respect

• Are reliable and flexible and committed to volunteering on a longer term basis

• Will follow our health and safety guidelines, policies and procedures and report any issues or concerns to the Family Support Volunteer Manager

• Are respectful of the privacy, preferences and needs of the families you are supporting

• Are polite and friendly

• Can adapt to different situations and challenges

• Enjoy making a difference in the lives of others.


Training you will receive:

You will receive a comprehensive introduction to Tŷ Hafan and your role, to include an in-person Induction and Training Programme as well as additional e-learning.

You will be a part of a friendly and supportive team who will assist you with any queries or concerns through regular and ongoing meetings.

Other role and organisation specific training is available including both supplementary and mandatory training.

All volunteers must maintain their mandatory training to continue in their role.


The benefits of becoming a Practical Family Support Volunteer in Family Homes:

• Make a positive difference in the lives of children with life-shortening conditions and their families, by helping them to maintain clean spaces for them to enjoy;

• Attend Volunteer Celebration Events throughout the year;

• Meet new people and join a friendly community of volunteers, passionate about helping others;

• Expenses will be provided following discussion about the role.


At Tŷ Hafan our people values are working together, demonstrating compassion, providing excellent service and taking ownership.

We expect all colleagues and volunteers to behave with high levels of integrity and to represent our values as a core part of their role. 

This role is purely voluntary and this arrangement is not meant to be a legally binding one or an employment contract.

 
Fill in an application

Retail Roles

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for Tŷ Hafan and taking the first steps in helping us to make a short life, a full life.

Our current Volunteer roles are outlined below. There is a huge range of ways you can volunteer for Tŷ Hafan, and it really doesn’t matter how much time you give. Every hour is precious and gratefully received.


Applying

Once you have found a role you like the sound of, you can apply by clicking the "fill in an application" button within the role description.

If you’re unsure about which role suits you best or if you’re currently short on time to complete an application form, you can express your interest in volunteering by filling out a brief form Here

If you are interested in a particular role, but would like to try it out before you commit to applying, please email volunteering@tyhafan.org or call 02920 532 254. We'll set up a trial or shadowing opportunity for you.

We warmly welcome applications from individuals with disabilities, diverse cultural backgrounds, and all walks of life.

Please let us know if you require any adjustments during the informal chat for your chosen role, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.


Overseas Applications

Please note, while we at Tŷ Hafan pride ourselves on being inclusive of all individuals who wish to volunteer, we are not currently a sponsor license holder so we are not able to support any overseas VISA applications.


Useful Links

Ty Hafan's Volunteer Handbook

Volunteering FAQs - Ty Hafan

 

Retail Roles

Youth Volunteer / Duke of Edinburgh / Welsh Bac

Become the new friendly face in your local Tŷ Hafan charity shop!

Volunteering in our charity shops is a great way for young people aged 16+ to get involved, build confidence, and make a real impact.

You’ll be part of a friendly team, learning new skills while helping raise vital funds to support children with life‑shortening conditions and their families across Wales.


How your role makes a difference

  Raise vital funds to support children and families
  Create a welcoming shop environment for customers
  Support sustainability by giving donated items a second chance
  Make a positive impact in your local community.


What you could get involved in

  Helping on the shop floor and serving customers
  Sorting and preparing donated items
  Pricing and displaying stock
  Creating eye-catching shop displays

You’ll be supported by the shop team and can take on tasks that suit your confidence and interests.

Got a particular interest?

Whether you love fashion, books, jewellery, or have an eye for vintage or collectibles, you can bring your interests into your role and help us make the most of donations.

Till & Customer Service Volunteer Role Description
Stockroom Volunteer Role Description


Considerations

Age requirement: 16+

Commitment: Flexible around your availability

Shifts will be discussed during your informal chat

Background checks: Volunteers aged under 18 will be asked to provide parental/guardian consent.

We welcome applications from individuals with disabilities and are committed to providing reasonable adjustments. Please let us know in your application form if you require any adjustments for this role.


The benefits of Volunteering

  Gain valuable experience: Great for CVs, college, university applications or future employment
  Build confidence: Develop communication and teamwork skills
  Meet new people: Be part of a friendly and supportive team
  Learn new skills: From customer service to merchandising
  Make a difference: Know your time is helping others

No experience needed, just a positive attitude and willingness to learn.


You’re very welcome to try a trial shift before applying

Click here to register your interest in a trial shift

This can be a great, no‑pressure way to meet the team, see the shop in action, and get a feel for the role before deciding.


At Tŷ Hafan our people values are working togetherdemonstrating compassionproviding excellent service and taking ownership.

This role is purely voluntary and this arrangement is not meant to be a legally binding one or an employment contract.

Fill in an application

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