Volunteering at St Peter & St James Hospice
We have volunteer opportunities based in our hospice, charity shops or distribution centre. As part of a team of over 400 volunteers, you will be helping us to provide expert care to adults living with life-limiting illnesses and those close to them in our community.
We offer a variety of volunteering roles. Whether supporting the clinical team on the ward, greeting members of the public on reception, arranging an eye-catching display in one of our charity shops or even caring for our two resident donkeys, there is a role to suit everyone.
Why volunteer with St Peter & St James Hospice?
Some common reasons for wanting to volunteer include:
- Gaining insight into future careers, to upskill and gain experience.
- Add a unique selling point to your applications to work or higher education.
- Completing part of your community badge for your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.
- Giving back to your community and meeting new people.
You will meet great people, learn new skills and be part of a team. We provide training, including induction, online learning, face to face and any other training specific to the role.
We can also support volunteers that wish to undertake further learning opportunities, who might be aspiring to a career in palliative and social care, customer service, administration or retail.
How much time do I need to commit?
The time that you would need to commit to volunteering can be from a few hours a week, to a focused set of weeks, to anything in between. We can offer morning, afternoon or evening shifts, week days or weekends, depending on the role.
Read Ian's Volunteering Story”The most satisfying part of driving for the hospice is enabling "patients" to attend sessions at the Living Well Centre. As a driver I have the opportunity to talk about the positive experience that the patient may enjoy.
Sometimes a new patient is apprehensive on the inward journey and I like to help by talking about their visit and answer their questions. On the return journey they are often very motivated by their visit. It is really satisfying to be part of the team that has helped the patient have a good experience.
I have been very fortunate in meeting many wonderful people during my 14 years as a volunteer driver.
Current vacancies
We are always keen to hear from individuals looking for volunteering opportunities.
There are a wide variety of volunteer roles across the organisation. If you cant find the role for you amongst our current vacancies, please drop our volunteering team a line to discuss other possible opportunities to suit you. volunteering@stpjhospice.org
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Location | North Chailey |
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Job Category | Support Function |
Location | North Chailey |
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Job Category | Support Function |
Location | North Chailey |
Job Features
Job Category | Support Function |
Location | North Chailey |
Job Features
Job Category | Support Function |
Location | North Chailey |
Job Features
Job Category | Support Function |
Location | North Chailey |
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Job Category | Retail |
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Job Category | Retail |
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Job Category | Retail |
Location | Hurstpierpoint |
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Job Category | Retail |
Location | Hurstpierpoint |
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Job Category | Clinical |
Department | Inpatient Unit |
Location | North Chailey |
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Job Category | Clinical |
Department | Inpatient Unit |
Location | North Chailey |

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Job Features
Job Category | Clinical |
Department | Inpatient Unit |
Location | North Chailey |
Job Features
Job Category | Clinical |
Department | Inpatient Unit |
Location | North Chailey |

No jobs found
Job Features
Job Category | Retail |
Job Features
Job Category | Retail |
Job Features
Job Category | Retail |
Job Features
Job Category | Retail |
Job Features
Job Category | Retail |
Location | Hurstpierpoint |
Job Features
Job Category | Retail |
Location | Hurstpierpoint |
Job Features
Job Category | Support Function |
Job Features
Job Category | Support Function |
Job Features
Job Category | Support Function |
Location | North Chailey |
Job Features
Job Category | Support Function |
Location | North Chailey |
Job Features
Job Category | Support Function |
Location | North Chailey |
Job Features
Job Category | Support Function |
Location | North Chailey |
Job Features
Job Category | Support Function |
Location | North Chailey |
Job Features
Job Category | Support Function |
Location | North Chailey |
How to apply?
To apply to volunteer at St Peter & St James Hospice, please complete our application form on Better Impact via the link below. A member of our Volunteering team will then be in touch as soon as possible to arrange an informal chat and tour of the hospice.
Please note that we are only recruiting to the roles currently available, but please do check back as we add volunteer vacancies on a regular basis.
The journey from application to volunteer
We will adapt depending on the volunteering role and/or if candidates require any adjustments, but these are the steps you can expect from the recruitment process.
- Complete an application form via Better Impact. You will be required to create a username and password and provide two references to support your application. (Not relatives and known to you for at least two years.)
- You will receive an email acknowledging your application.
- A recruiting manager will email or call to discuss your application and arrange an informal chat. This is an opportunity for the recruiting manager to discuss the skills and time commitment required for the role and for the applicant to ask further questions.
- In most cases, a taster session will be undertaken.
- Pre-volunteering checks (references, health questionnaire, right to work in the UK, DBS if applicable) and any additional administration for the role to be undertaken.
- Welcome email with a copy of the volunteer role profile and invitation to attend the hospice welcome induction session.
- Induction session with department manager and start volunteering.
- An informal 3 month probation to include role specific training.
If you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at volunteering@stpjhospice.org