We have over 1,600 volunteers, ranging in age from 14 to 95, contributing their skills & time to support the hospice.
We are always looking for more volunteers to help in our shops, fundraising events & at the hospice itself.
Bring what makes you special to the charity
There are a variety of roles on offer where you can bring your expertise, including:
- eBay & e-commerce researchers
- Hairdressing
- Painters & decorators
- Drivers
- Assisting on our major fundraising events, such as Midnight Walk
Full training is provided for roles, so you could be:
- A barista at Moments Coffee Shop
- On the till in one of our hospice shops
- Volunteering on the Inpatient Unit as a Ward Clerk
- Greeting visitors & taking calls on reception
Why should I volunteer?
VOLUNTEER GARDENER
People often have the misconception volunteering at a hospice will be depressing. This is not the case. Yes it can be sad at times, but you are helping and meeting people who are making the most of life and time and this is rewarding.
HOSPICE VOLUNTEER
Volunteering for Zest has given me real-world job experience and enabled me to improve my communication skills through talking to people from all walks of life, which will help me with my future career.
ZEST RETAIL VOLUNTEER
If anybody was considering volunteering I would tell them not to hesitate and give it a try. There are loads of roles you can do and everyone has a skill which could help the hospice. It costs you nothing, only a few hours of your time that you are able to give, and you get to meet new people, learn new skills and it is good for your mental health.
EVENTS VOLUNTEER
Seasonal Volunteering
Ideal for anyone aged 16+ who can spare a few hours to support the hospice.
Opportunities to volunteer over:
- July to October
- Christmas holidays
- Easter holidays
Duke of Edinburgh & Work Experience
St Elizabeth Hospice offers work experience & Duke of Edinburgh placements for people aged 14 upwards.
Current volunteer vacancies
Volunteer Vacancy Type
Volunteer Vacancy Location
Volunteer Furniture Administrators – Martlesham Retail Centre, IP5 3RD
Martlesham
Closing Date: 05/07/2025
Our team at Martlesham are looking for volunteers to help arrange collections and deliveries of donated furniture. If you have a few hours to spare, we would love to hear from you.
Volunteer Plumber
Ipswich
Closing Date: 06/07/2025
Our Maintenance Team is looking for a volunteer plumber. So if you have a few hours to spare, we would love to hear from you. Come and join our friendly team.
IPU Volunteer Health Care Assistants
Ipswich
Closing Date: 06/07/2025
Do you have experience of working as a RN or HCA? Would you like to volunteer to support our staff on IPU?
e-Commerce Volunteers – Holywells retail centre and Bramford Road
Ipswich
Closing Date: 12/07/2025
Do you have a keen interest in eBay and on-line selling? Can you spare a few hours to help the hospice?
Catering Volunteer
Ipswich
Closing Date: 19/07/2025
Could you assist our Catering Team by volunteering to help with our front of house service here at the hospice?
Volunteer Facilities Driver
Ipswich, Suffolk Area
Closing Date: 20/07/2025
Our Facilities Team is looking for a volunteer driver to help with delivery tasks on a Tuesday. So if you have a few hours to spare, we would love to hear from you.
Hop to it! Volunteers
Beccles, Felixstowe, Ipswich, Lowestoft, Woodbridge
Closing Date: 25/07/2025
We’re getting ready to Hop to it! for our 2025 Art Trail and are now looking for volunteers to help the adventure begin.
Hop to it! HQ Volunteers
Ipswich
Closing Date: 27/07/2025
Our Hop to it! HQ Pop Up shop is now looking for volunteers. If you have a few hours to spare, we would love to hear from you.
Gorleston, Holywells and Martlesham Warehouse volunteers – donation sorting, van driving and PAT testing
East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth, Waveney
Closing Date: 27/07/2025
Do you have a few hours to spare to volunteer at one of our Retail Centre Warehouses? We have a variety of roles available. Come and join the team!
Frequently Asked Questions
Once you have found a volunteer vacancy that you prefer, you can apply online using the online application form or you can request a paper application form by calling the volunteer team on 01473 707939.
Once we receive your application we will pass it to the relevant department for consideration.
For all of our roles an interview is essential as we sometimes have many people apply. If you have added other roles you are interested in and you are unsuccessful in your first choice, we will try and match you to another suitable role.
Training is required for all volunteer roles, each role has specific requirements, which you will be informed of once your application has been processed.
Some roles do require a professional qualification or skill in a certain area; however for many roles what is needed is enthusiasm and an interest in people, a sympathetic and caring approach and good listening skills.
We try to be as flexible as possible and will talk to you to arrange the times you are available. For some roles the times are fixed and in these cases we would like a commitment to these.
Our shop managers will be pleased to hear from you even if you only have a couple of hours to spend a week.
Yes, if you have the time and the energy!
Volunteers are welcomed from age 14 upwards to help in some areas such as shops. Most other roles start from 18 upwards, including fundraising events and to help with administrative work. Volunteers who have contact with patients must be over 18.
No – but tell your Job Centre or Benefits Office before volunteering to get their confirmation. There is no maximum limit to the number of hours that you may volunteer, however, if claiming JSA, you must continue to search for paid work and be willing and able to attend an interview giving 48 hours notice.
If you are offered a volunteer role, you will be asked to complete some paperwork for our files.
We will ask for references and also carry out a DBS (police check)* if your role requires it.
Once we have received all of these back and they are satisfactory you will be invited to start your volunteering.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us on 01473 707939 or email: volunteer@stelizabethhospice.org.uk
* We undertake not to discriminate unfairly against anyone who has previous criminal convictions and having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to involvement as a volunteer with the hospice.
