Demelza

Kent Hospice – Kitchen Assistant

Join our warm and welcoming team at Demelza’s Sittingbourne hospice kitchen.

When we need you:

Flexible on days - 2pm to 4pm

The role:

• Washing up
• Help with the daily kitchen clean-up and organisation

No experience needed – full training provided! Your enthusiasm and willingness to help are what matter most.

What you’ll gain:

• New friendships and a sense of community
• Valuable skills and rewarding experiences
• The chance to make a real impact for children with serious or life-limiting conditions

Why volunteer with Demelza?

Demelza provides specialist care 24/7, 365 days a year, children and families across Kent, South East London, and East Sussex. Our volunteers are the heart of our work - over 1,000 people already give their time, energy, and compassion to help us deliver exceptional care.

Join us and be part of something truly special.

Estates Department Volunteers

Role Summary:

We are seeking dedicated and enthusiastic Volunteers to join our very busy Estates Team, who are responsible for maintaining and operating all of the Demelza sites, keeping them clean, safe and well maintained. 

Our sites:

Sittingbourne, Kent

Eltham, SE London

St Leonards, East Sussex

30 shops throughout the South East

Distribution Centre in Aylesford, Kent

If you have previous maintenance experience and can spare a few hours a week to support our friendly team in our Estates Department, please apply or get in contact. Whatever your skills and experience, we will be able to put these to good use. This Volunteer position offers a unique chance to develop your skills while making a positive impact. Each day brings different challenges – from carpentry to plumbing, painting and decorating to changing locks. All levels of skill are appreciated, although some tasks such as electrical repairs will need further qualifications.

Whether you can lend a hand at one of our hospices or are able to help our Estates Trading Team, we would love to hear from you.

Duties could include:

• Helping with practical tasks
• General maintenance and repairs
• Painting and decorating
• Lifting and carrying

Experience:

• General site knowledge is useful, which could include building, plumbing, electrical, construction, mechanical, drainage.
• Previous experience in engineering, site maintenance or project management is advantageous.

What you gain from volunteering:

• A chance to meet new people, make new friends and dedicate yourself to a rewarding role
• The chance to develop new skills, take on new challenges and enjoy new experiences
• Training and support
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Demelza and support children with terminal conditions and their loved ones

Fundraising and Events Volunteer

How you can get involved

Join in with the action by lending a helping hand at our fantastic fundraising events. Becoming a fundraising volunteer is a great way to have fun and meet new people whilst raising vital funds and awareness of Demelza in your local community.

From helping with bucket collections to manning stalls, setting up marquees, putting up banners, serving refreshments to supporting participants at fundraising events; donating your time will be an invaluable contribution to our cause.

Our events are held throughout the year. Whether you can help with one or 2 events a year, or want to make a more regular commitment, we appreciate the help.

If you are looking for a hands-on role, supporting Demelza at one of our events is a brilliant way to get involved whilst having fun at the same time!

What will you gain from volunteering

• A chance to meet new people, make new friends and dedicate yourself to a rewarding role
• 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

Gardening Volunteer

Our 8 acre site of gardens and grounds here at Demelza provides a peaceful sanctuary for our children and families, a place to relax in and a place to play in a beautiful and safe environment. We have different areas, such as our Garden of Tranquillity and our Sensory Garden. We use our gardens for memory making, we have quiet zones, an amazing adapted play area, we use the grounds for seasonal celebrations such as Easter Egg Hunts and Christmas Light Shows. We have on show some beautiful plants, flowers and trees and also grow fruit and vegetables, which are then used in the kitchen.

This could not be possible without a team of dedicated and wonderful volunteers. We welcome anyone here to volunteer that has a few hours a week to spare, is keen to be here and loves being outdoors and  being part of a friendly team. A genuine love for plants and gardening is helpful, as is knowledge of gardening, although it is not essential.

Your help could make such a big difference to provide the perfect place for our children and families to be together.

Duties can include:

• Perform regular landscape maintenance, including mowing, trimming, and weeding.
• Utilise hand tools and power tools effectively for various gardening tasks.
• Plant, grow, and care for flowers, shrubs, trees, and other vegetation.
• Assist with the growing of fruit and vegetables.
• Irrigate gardens appropriately to ensure optimal plant health.
• Maintain garden beds by mulching, fertilising, and pruning as necessary.
• Assist in the ideas, design and implementation of new garden layouts or features.
• Conduct groundskeeping duties to keep outdoor areas clean and tidy.
• Monitor plant health and identify any pests or diseases that may affect growth.
• Collaborate with other team members to achieve landscaping goals.

Requirements:

• Experience in gardening or landscape maintenance is helpful but not necessary. We are happy to have anyone here volunteering that is keen and interested.
• Familiarity with using hand tools and power tools safely and effectively would be helpful.
• Knowledge of plant care techniques is also helpful.
• Ability to be outdoors in various weather conditions.
• A passion for growing plants and/or vegetables and maintaining gardens is useful.
• Good physical stamina as the role could involve manual labour and lifting.

What you gain from volunteering

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

Eltham Hospice Garden Volunteer

Our garden provides an outdoor space for our children and families to play and relax together.

We are looking for a volunteer to assist with the maintenance and upkeep of the garden space.

We welcome anyone that has a spare few hours a week to come and help out, a love for gardening would be beneficial but not essential. 

Please apply online or contact us if you need any further information.

Requirements:

• Experience in gardening or maintenance is helpful but not necessary. We are happy to have anyone volunteering that is keen and interested.
• Familiarity with using hand tools and power tools safely and effectively would be helpful.
• Knowledge of plant care techniques is also helpful.
• Ability to be outdoors in various weather conditions.
• A passion for growing plants and maintaining gardens is useful.

What you gain from volunteering

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

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.

VOLUNTEER ROLE: Voluntary Services Dept – Volunteer Recruitment Assistant

REPORTS TO: Voluntary Services Officer        

LOCATION: Various locations within the Demelza areas of Kent, Sussex or South East London

PURPOSE OF ROLE:  Volunteers will assist staff/volunteers undertaking various tasks.

ROLE/DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attending Recruitment Events in the local community, e.g. Careers Promotions, etc
• Promoting recruitment of volunteers, operating alongside Recruitment personnel
• Distributing ‘Promotion packs’ and materials
• Assisting with ‘informal questions’ of prospective volunteers
• Awareness of ‘Volunteer Processes’ and completing administrative tasks involved in the process

SKILLS & QUALITIES:

You will need to be able to:-

• Show a positive and enthusiastic attitude to the values of Demelza Hospice Care for Children
• Demonstrate good communication skills, together with a pleasant and polite manner
• Be welcoming and friendly in answering questions from the public about volunteering at Demelza
• Follow instructions and operate under supervision
• Function effectively, both independently and as part of a team
• Show awareness and comply with all aspects of Health and Safety in relation to your assigned area/environments

TIME COMMITMENT:

Specific times will be as agreed with allocated point of contact.

• Volunteers should be prepared to make a regular commitment to suit personal availability

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 voluntary services.

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

UNIFORM/DRESS CODE REQUIREMENTS:

Smart business casual – including ‘Logo’ branding attire

TEAM DEMELZA - 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 and to valuing and respecting diversity and inclusion [FREDIE] and Demelza expects all staff 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.

ISSUE DATE:        02072024

REVIEW DATE:     072025

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