Volunteers are involved in many aspects of work at Sobell House and their roles enrich the service we can offer patients, their families and visitors. We have over 150 volunteers in the Sobell House team directly involved in work with patients and families. In addition many others support the fundraising work of the Sobell House Hospice Charity (link).

Sobell House Volunteers are compassionate, practical and well-balanced with a genuine, warm interest in people and an ability to listen to and empathise with our patients and those close to them. Qualifications and specific experience are not necessary and we welcome volunteers of all ages from 18 years upwards and from all walks of life.
We provide on-going support and relevant basic training about palliative care.

Sobell House volunteers working with the guidance and support of paid staff can contribute to our work in many ways;
• Driving patients to and from the Day Hospice and Out-Patient Clinics.
• Providing support in the Day Hospice and helping with practical tasks and activities.
• Assisting in the In-Patient Unit by helping at meal times, offering companionship and sitting with patients.
• Providing support (and tea!) to visitors and relatives in the ward sitting room.
• Working alongside our receptionists to welcome patients and visitors.
• Assisting in creative projects throughout Sobell House.
• Visiting patients at home to give their carers time off.
• Supporting bereaved people (link bereavement service).

We can also offer patients some complementary therapies and services, such as massage, reflexology, hairdressing and manicures, through our volunteers. We would like to expand the range of these therapies and would welcome more volunteers in these or similar fields.

There are also other - possibly less obvious, but still very important – ways of helping support our patients on a voluntary basis, such as;
• Helping in the Sobell House gardens.
• Providing help with administrative tasks.
• Practical jobs, for example cleaning equipment or sorting stores.

Volunteering at Sobell House can be both moving and rewarding, however, it is not for everyone and we always interview potential volunteers to ensure it is the right place for them. We also recommend that people who have experienced cancer or bereavement, or similar life crises, should wait at least two years before volunteering to work with patients at Sobell House.