Bring your people skills
Care and wellbeing support
- Evening tea assistant
- Kitchen assistant
- Complementary therapist
- Hairdresser
- Beautician
- Day Therapy entertainer
- Reception cover
- Laundry assistant
Get involved · Volunteering
Volunteeringat Foyle Hospice
Together we care.
Volunteers are part of everything we do, from the Inpatient Unit and Day Therapy to our shops, gardens and events. If you are 16 or over and can give a little time regularly, there is a place for you.
- Aged 16 or over
- Induction and training
- More than 300 volunteers
Read this page in short
- Foyle Hospice volunteers help in our care areas, shops, gardens, fundraising and events.
- You must be 16 or over.
- There are seven areas to choose from, from Day Therapy to our shops.
- To apply, fill in the form, come in for an informal chat, then have an induction.
- Please bring three original forms of ID to your chat.
- Some roles need an AccessNI check.
- Our Bring what you can page shows each area in more detail.
- You can phone our Volunteer Coordinator, Rachael Dobbins, on 028 7135 1010.
Our volunteer campaign
Bring what you can
You do not need to be an expert, or free every day. Whether you can give an hour, share a skill or try something new, there is a place for you. Choose the one that sounds most like you.
Our volunteers at a glance
332volunteers across the hospice, our shops, fundraising and the community
40new volunteers joined us in 2025/26
83volunteers in our charity shops
53in Day Therapy (26) and the Inpatient Unit (27)
Figures are for April 2025 to March 2026, from our Annual Report 2025/26.
Why volunteer
Give your time, and gain something too
Volunteers keep Foyle Hospice moving. Their time helps us care for local people and families, and keeps that care free.
Volunteering can bring a real sense of reward and self-worth, new friends, and the chance to use the skills you have or learn new ones. Every volunteer has an induction to the hospice and to their role, with training as needed.
- A sense of reward
- Self-worth
- New friends
- Using your skills
- Learning new skills
- Induction and training
Volunteer roles
Roles you could take on
Choose an area to see the roles in it. Each one links to the Bring what you can page, with times, places and what the role involves.
Bring your driving skills
Driving
- Minibus driver for Day Therapy
Bring your green fingers
Gardening
- Gardener
Bring your experience
Building and maintenance
- Building maintenance volunteer
Bring your retail know-how
Shops
- Sales assistant
- Van assistant
Bring your energy
Fundraising and promotion
- Raffle stand volunteer
- Hamper and basket maker
- Bag packing volunteer
- Weekly Draw promoter
- Flag day volunteer
- Copper Room assistant
Bring a Thursday evening
Events
- Fundraising event support
- Coffee morning support
- Event promoter
- Event photographer
- Event videographer
- Communications support volunteer
How to apply
Three steps to becoming a volunteer
- Fill in the form
Apply online, or download the Word form and post it to the Volunteer Coordinator at Foyle Hospice, 61 Culmore Road, Derry~Londonderry, BT48 8JE.
- Come in for a chat
We will invite you in for an informal chat. Please bring three original forms of ID: one from Group 1 and two from any group on AccessNI’s list of accepted documents.
- Settle in
You will have an induction to the hospice and to your role, and any training you need.
Questions
Things people often ask
Who can volunteer?
Anyone aged 16 or over. You do not usually need any experience, and every volunteer has an induction and training.
How much time do I need to give?
It depends on the role. Some are an hour, some are sessions of two or four hours, and some are regular weekly sessions. Relief teams step in when regular volunteers are away, and event support can mean evenings.
What ID do I need to bring?
When you come in for your informal chat, please bring three original forms of ID: one from Group 1 and two from any group on AccessNI’s list of accepted documents. If you are not sure what counts, call our Volunteer Coordinator on 028 7135 1010.
Will I need an AccessNI check?
Yes, for every Day Therapy role we ask for an Enhanced AccessNI check. Some roles also need a barred-list check for work with adults. For any other role, ask when you apply and we will confirm.
Can my workplace volunteer as a team?
Yes. Our corporate volunteering programme can support fundraising, offices, gardens and shops.
I have recently lost someone. Can I still volunteer?
Yes. Please get in touch and we will talk it through gently. If you would like support yourself, our adult bereavement support service is there for you.
More ways to get involved
Other ways to support Foyle Hospice
Together we care
Thank you for thinking of us
Our volunteers help make sure care stays free for local families. Whatever you can give, we would love to hear from you.
Volunteering
Our volunteers bring skills and individual qualities that complement the work of our staff making a vital contribution to the high quality service that we provide. We have any different volunteers opportunities which include: working with patients, fundraising, and in our offices, gardens and shops.
How your time makes a difference
Our volunteer community is invaluable to Foyle Hospice. The support and commitment that the hospice receives from each volunteer strengthens our ability to provide an excellent standard of palliative care for patients and support to their families.
Who can volunteer?
Anyone can volunteer, if you are able to commit a few hours a week on a regular basis and you are over the age of 16 years, we would be delighted to hear from you.
How to become a volunteer
The next step to becoming volunteer simply requires completion of the Volunteer Form which can be downloaded below.
What you can expect from your volunteering experience
Volunteering is an extremely rewarding experience. Your time will make a positive difference to the lives of our patients and to the lives of their families.
You can expect:
- To enjoy a sense of self-worth in supporting a worthy cause and giving something back to your local community.
- You may also make new friends and enjoy a larger social circle.
- You may have an opportunity to use your expertise or even learn new skills. You can expect your skills, experience and level of commitment to be matched to available opportunities.
- Once placed, you will receive an induction to help you to become orientated within the Hospice and within your role. You will also receive initial and on-going on-the-job training as required.
Volunteering Opportunities
We are always delighted to welcome new volunteers to our team. There are a number of different areas where your help will be appreciated, you may have a particular interest in our Fundraising activities or you may prefer to help in the Day Hospice or In-Patient Unit.
Perhaps you want a weekly activity or would prefer a seasonal commitment – Foyle Hospice has opportunities that can easily fit around your work and personal life.
- Copper Room Assistant
- Van Driver
- Promotional Stand Volunteer/Ticket Seller
- Weekly Draw Promoter
- Shops Assistant
- Event Assistant
- Event Promoter
- Flag Day Volunteer
- Bag Pack Volunteer
- Day Care Entertainer (music/art/games)
- Day Care Driver
- Kitchen/Dining Room Assistant
- Hairdresser
- Beautician
- Complementary therapist
- Building Maintenance Volunteer
- Gardener
- Laundry Assistant
Once you have completed your volunteer application please post to:
Volunteer Coordinator
Foyle Hospice
61 Culmore Road
BT48 8JE
On receipt you will be invited to come to an informal meeting to discuss what you want to gain from you volunteering expereince and current opportunities.
At this meeting you will need to bring with you 3 forms of ID from the Access ID Validation List selecting 1 piece of ID from Group 1 and 2 pieces of ID from Group 2. Once placed, you will receive an induction to help you to become acquainted with the Hospice and your Volunteer role. You will also receive training as required.
For more information
Contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Rachael Dobbins.
- 028 71 351 010