Demelza

 

If you enjoy cleaning, organising and helping others, we would love you to join our team of dedicated Practical Support volunteers to help local families with household tasks such as cleaning, tidying and laundry, helping them keep on top of day-to-day pressures, allowing families to focus on what matters most - spending quality time together.

 

As a Practical Support Volunteer, you will:

• Undertake light housekeeping tasks when they need an extra helping hand, such as cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, and laundry.
• Help families maintain a safe and clean environment at home, helping them to focus on what matters most - spending quality time together.
• Engage with family members and provide a supportive ear for them as an ambassador for Demelza.
• Feedback to the Practical Support team on your visits, ensuring any needs of the family are recorded.

 

Tasks are arranged to fit around your availability and there is no maximum or minimum - whether it's a few hours a week or a monthly commitment.

All Practical Support volunteers will have an initial interview with a member of the team, followed by a training session for volunteering with Demelza families. You will also receive a face to face induction, as well as ongoing support and supervision from the team.

All volunteers helping with Demelza families are also required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check before starting the role.

Become an essential part of our dedicated team of volunteers and help us create a clean and comforting atmosphere for children and their families in their own homes. Contact us at practicalsupport@demelza.org.uk or call 01795 845299 for more information.

 

 

VOLUNTEER ROLE: Housekeeping Volunteer

 

REPORTS TO: Housekeeping Manager

 

LOCATION: Demelza Kent or South East London

 

HOURS/DAYS:  Wednesday and Friday mornings are particularly required

 

PURPOSE OF ROLE:

 

To support the housekeeping team in maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for our children and families, visitors, staff and volunteers.

Volunteers play a vital role in enhancing the comfort and wellbeing of everyone  in the facility.

 

 

ROLE/DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

• Assist with light cleaning duties such as wiping surfaces, tidying communal areas, and restocking supplies.
• Help with laundry tasks (folding, sorting, delivering clean linen).
• Support the team in preparing rooms for new arrivals.
• Ensure high standards of hygiene are maintained.
• Report any maintenance or cleanliness issues to staff.
• Engage with children and visitors in a friendly and respectful manner.

 

SKILLS & QUALITIES:

 

• Reliable and punctual.
• Friendly and approachable.
• Able to follow instructions and work as part of a team.
• Respectful of confidentiality and sensitive environments.
• Physically able to carry out light cleaning tasks.
• A friendly, approachable, and compassionate nature
• Respectful of confidentiality and sensitive to the needs of children and families in a hospice setting

TIME COMMITMENT:

 

• Ideally, a regular weekly or fortnightly shift of 3-4 hours.
• Flexible scheduling available to suit volunteer availability.
• Minimum commitment of 3 months preferred.

 

TRAINING AND SUPPORT:

 

You will be given a Volunteer Handbook, which covers mandatory training such as Moving & Handling, Fire Training, Data Protection and Safeguarding.  In addition, you will complete an induction with your line manager. Specific, specialist training will be provided where appropriate/relevant to the area you will be assigned to. Ongoing support is available to volunteers through their line manager and the Voluntary Services team. All volunteers must maintain their mandatory training to continue in their role.

 

UNIFORM/DRESS CODE REQUIREMENTS:

 

• A Demelza polo shirt will be provided
• Closed-toe, non-slip footwear
• Any necessary protective clothing (e.g. aprons) will be provided
• ID badge is provided and must be worn at all times

 

OUR VALUES & BEHAVIOURS:

Volunteers are expected to demonstrate and actively align to our organisational values and behaviours. The full values and behaviours documents can be found on the Demelza intranet.

 

SAFEGUARDING AND FREDIE:

 

Demelza is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

 

Demelza also values FREDIE principles (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement) and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

 

Some volunteering roles will require an enhanced DBS check - this does not mean that you cannot volunteer for us if you have a previous conviction. Demelza conforms to all aspects of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

 

 

Housekeeping Volunteers

Demelza Hospice at Eltham, London

We are looking for additional volunteers to join our friendly housekeeping team at our hospice in Eltham, SE London. The housekeeping department are responsible for keeping the hospice clean, tidy, bright and welcoming for the children and families in our care.

 

We particularly need volunteers on a Saturday and a Wednesday.

 

We require additional support and help and any time you can give is appreciated so much. Our busiest times are 9am to midday, and we are open 7 days a week. If you can spare a few hours a week to be part of this very important team, we would love to hear from you.

 

Tasks include:

General tidying and cleaning: dusting and vacuuming, ironing, cleaning the lounge areas, bedrooms and bathrooms.

 

What you will gain from volunteering:

• A chance to meet new people and make new friends
• The time to develop new skills, take on new challenges and enjoy new experiences
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Demelza and support children with serious or life-limiting conditions and their families