Volunteering

Ways to Volunteer

Doreen became a volunteer three years ago and says:
"There's always plenty to do, and I enjoy every minute of it - raising funds to benefit Cookridge patients is a great reward".

Valerie, who joined in 2004 says: "I love meeting patients and staff and having a chat and a laugh during my few hours of volunteering on Monday's."

If you're over 18 and can offer a few hours each week to undertake a variety of tasks within the Cancer Centre, we will be delighted to hear from you.

Download Voluntary Worker Application Form

Why Volunteer?

We all like to imagine a 'golden age' where charities raised all the money they needed through volunteers. Sadly, if this was ever the case, it isn't today. Volunteers are hugely important to charities generally and the sector couldn't operate without them. Some types of fundraising, especially events, retail and community fundraising, are driven through volunteers, without whom they would cost rather than make money.

While it's common knowledge that volunteers do a world of good for charities and the communities they serve, increasingly people are waking up to the fact that helping out can also bring many benefits for the volunteers themselves.

Did you know, for example, that over 70% of employers would hire a candidate with volunteering experience over someone who has never volunteered? Just a couple of hours a week can really enhance your job prospects, help to plug any gaps in your work experience and give you a range of new skills. Volunteering also offers participants the chance to have wonderful experiences, make friends with people from all walks of life, and quite often, for some people who fear the 'big bad world' a new lease of life within their own community.

Because it exposes people to new situations, people and experiences, volunteering can also help individuals to develop the confidence to try out different things. Knowing that your skills are valued and contributing to your community can be a tremendous confidence boost for volunteers.

And if the thought of buffing up your C.V., improving your skills and self-confidence, meeting new and interesting people and helping out the local community isn't enough of an incentive, there are even health benefits associated with volunteering.

It has been medically proven that 'doing good' can give you a heightened sense of wellbeing, a stronger immune system and a speedier recovery from surgery!