Volunteering at St Luke’s
Volunteers are at the heart of St Luke’s. Whether joining on your own or as a group, your time helps us care for patients living with terminal illness and their families. With one-off and regular roles available, there’s a place for everyone.
The impact you can make as a volunteer
Only 23% of running costs at St Luke’s are covered by NHS funding. As a charity, it means we rely on the kindness and generosity of people and businesses across Sheffield and local communities. Each year, we must raise £11m of the £15m needed to continue our care.
Volunteering is one of the many ways you can support St Luke’s, with roles available across our retail shops, Donation Centre, fundraising events and within the Hospice. Over 1,000 wonderful people volunteer with us, and we couldn’t do what we do without them.
Care in our Hospice is free for every patient and family.
Local people and businesses fund most of the care we provide.
69p of every £1 spent goes directly to patient care costs.
Many people volunteer after experiencing hospice care personally.
89% of our volunteers rate their experience 8/10 or higher.
Our Retail, Fundraising and Hospice Volunteering opportunities
We’re grateful for every person who gives their time to St Luke’s and do everything we can to make volunteering in Sheffield worthwhile for you. We offer roles, placements and training to suit all interests and circumstances.
RETAIL SHOPS
Volunteer in our charity shops and help raise vital funds for care. Learn new skills, make connections and contribute to nearly a third of the income St Luke’s relies on.
DONATION CENTRE
Help turn pre-loved items into income for patient care. Sort, prepare and organise donations behind the scenes at our busy donation centre in Sheffield.
FUNDRAISING & EVENTS
Join us at fundraising collections and community events. It’s flexible, with no experience needed – just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved.
PATIENT FACING ROLES
Provide companionship and support to patients and their families through activities, wellbeing sessions, or specialist services at our Sheffield Hospice and Social Prescribing site.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Gain experience through flexible placements with schools, colleges, external organisations and Job Centre partners. Build skills and confidence while making a meaningful contribution.
READY TO GET INVOLVED?
Search our Retail, Fundraising and Patient-Facing Hospice Volunteering roles and apply online today.
Volunteering opportunities for corporate groups
Corporate groups make a huge difference at St Luke’s. In 2024-2025, we had 722 corporate volunteers attend and contribute over 4,300 hours of their time to volunteering. It’s a simple, rewarding way to foster team spirit, enhance your reputation and support your local community.
How to apply
Thank you for your interest in joining St Luke’s volunteering team.
The quickest way to apply is to complete the online form for the role you’re considering. Please note that for all patient-facing roles, you will be asked to provide contact details for two referees.
St Luke’s Volunteering Taster Sessions
Curious about Retail, Fundraising and Hospice Volunteering but not sure where to begin? Join a Taster Session! To book or learn more, contact:
Try a role for a short time, meet the team and get a feel for our volunteering opportunities in Sheffield – with no pressure to continue.
Sessions run across our retail shops and at selected events, and we’ll work with your schedule to make joining in easy.
If you can spare a day – brilliant. If you end up coming back again and again – even better! Every bit of help makes a big difference.
Take part in Volunteer Month and be part of something big!
Every summer, St Luke’s runs Be Part of Something Big – a full month dedicated to celebrating volunteers and opening up new ways to get involved. Explore exciting roles, stories and opportunities across St Luke’s and be part of something big with us.
Hear from our volunteers
Winners of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
This prestigious award recognises our wonderful Volunteers who since 1971 have shown true dedication to help Sheffield people affected by terminal illness.
Winners of the Sheffield Volunteering Award 2018
The Sheffield Volunteering Award is awarded to an ‘exemplary organisation working with volunteers’. It recognises the impact that volunteers make on an organisation, as well as the benefits of volunteering for those who take part.
FAQs about St Luke’s volunteer work in Sheffield, UK
People choose to volunteer with St Luke’s for many reasons. Some want to meet new people or build confidence, while others hope to gain experience or learn new skills. Many volunteers simply want to support local families or have a personal connection to St Luke’s and feel ready to give something back.
Whatever your reason, we welcome your interest in volunteering with us, and we’d be glad to receive your application.
At St Luke’s, you’ll be welcomed as a valued member of the volunteering Sheffield team. You can expect:
An induction and/or brief into your specific role
Training and guidance as appropriate for the role
A safe, supportive environment
Fair and respectful treatment
Regular communication about what’s happening at St Luke’s
Reimbursement of agreed out-of-pocket expenses
A discount across our retail shops
Most importantly, you can expect your ideas, concerns and suggestions to be listened to and taken seriously.
Almost anyone. Our volunteers include students, job seekers, retired people, full-time workers and those giving time around other commitments. We’re dedicated to equality of opportunity across all volunteering Sheffield roles. All we ask is that volunteers share St Luke’s values: compassion, respect and a commitment to supporting our community.
For Patient-Facing Hospice Volunteering roles, the minimum age for volunteering is 18. For Retail Volunteering roles, the minimum age is 14. For Events and Fundraising Volunteering roles, the minimum age is 16. All our volunteering role descriptions state the minimum age required so you know before you apply.
Most roles don’t need specialist skills or qualifications. We’ll match you with a role that suits your strengths and interests, and we offer training where needed. Some opportunities (such as certain Hospice Volunteer work roles) do require specific skills or qualifications, which you’ll find in the role description.
Enthusiasm, good communication, and the ability to smile and encourage are the qualities that matter most.
Yes. You can apply online, visit your nearest shop, call us to discuss a role, or request a posted application form. Each individual must complete their own form (even if you plan to volunteer with friends or family) for insurance and safeguarding purposes.
If you are applying for Patient-Facing Volunteering, you will be asked to join the team manager face-to-face for an informal chat. It’s a chance for you to ask questions, see the environment and meet the people you’ll be volunteering with.
Yes. For Patient-Facing Hospice Volunteer work, please provide us with the contact details for two references, which we will request on your behalf. Referees should ideally know you in a professional, educational or volunteering context, and they cannot be relatives. Please let them know we will be in touch to help speed up the recruitment process.
Our Patient-Facing and Retail volunteers have a 6-week (or 6-shift) trial period. Afterwards, you’ll meet with your manager to review how things are going, discuss any support you may need and agree next steps. (Trial periods for Corporate and Events / Fundraising Volunteering are organised on an ad hoc basis.)
Yes. You’ll receive an induction, training tailored to your role and ongoing support from your manager or mentor. Whether you're helping in retail, events, fundraising or another role, you will always have a dedicated point of contact.
Our Retail or Events and Fundraising Volunteering roles can start within a couple of days. It usually takes a little longer for Patient-Facing roles due to arranging informal chats, contacting your referees and, for certain roles, carrying out a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Once everything is complete, the department manager will contact you to arrange your day.
This varies by role. Some opportunities involve a regular weekly shift (typically 3-4 hours), while others – like fundraising events – are occasional or one-off. We’ll explain the time commitment for each role and work with you to find something that fits your availability. If your circumstances change, just let your manager or mentor know.
We never want cost to be a barrier to St Luke’s volunteering opportunities in Sheffield. Reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses can be reimbursed if agreed in advance with your manager (subject to any rules and/or restrictions imposed by HMRC, the Charity Commission or the Hospice). Unfortunately, we’re unable to cover childcare costs.
Read the full information in our Volunteer Handbook.
Yes. Depending on your role, you may be able to work towards qualifications, such as a Level 1 Food Safety & Hygiene certificate. Becoming a volunteer can strengthen your CV, build experience and provide a reference for future work.
Our Retail, Fundraising and Hospice Volunteering opportunities can help you gain confidence, skills and experience, but it isn’t a direct route into a paid role. Many people find that volunteering boosts their job prospects, but employment isn’t guaranteed.
Absolutely. Many young people complete their Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) volunteering hours in our shops. We ask for a regular weekly shift of around 3.5 hours so you can make the most of the training and experience we provide.
Absolutely. Many people who receive benefits join our Sheffield volunteering roles, whether to build confidence, gain experience or simply support their community. Just let your benefits adviser know about your volunteering so they are aware of your plans.
Yes. Asylum seekers, people with refugee status and people with exceptional leave to remain are eligible to volunteer. St Luke’s may be able to offer a role depending on availability. Contact the New Beginnings Project Leader at the Volunteer Centre Sheffield on 0114 253 6649 for additional guidance.
Yes. St Luke’s welcomes volunteers with disabilities and will discuss with you what reasonable adjustments or support you may need. Our aim is to create a safe, accessible and respectful environment for everyone involved in our Hospice and wider Sheffield volunteering.
In many cases, yes. Whether you can volunteer will depend on the nature of the conviction, how long ago it occurred and the type of role you’re applying for (particularly if the role is Patient-Facing Hospice Volunteering work or requires a DBS check). We handle these conversations sensitively and on a case-by-case basis.
Everyone is different. Patient-Facing Hospice Volunteer work can be emotionally demanding, especially if your loss is recent. You’re welcome to talk this through with our Volunteering Team. Many people choose to begin in a different environment, such as Retail or Event Volunteering, until they feel ready.
Typically, yes. We understand that volunteering together can make the experience even more enjoyable. We try to accommodate requests to volunteer together across retail, fundraising and events, but this depends on age requirements, insurance considerations and team needs.
St Luke’s is based in Sheffield, UK. If you choose Patient-Facing Hospice Volunteer work, this takes place at our Hospice on Little Common Lane, S11 9NE, or at our Social Prescribing Site on Ecclesall Road South, S11 9PX. We also offer a variety of other roles across Sheffield, including retail, fundraising collections and events, so there are opportunities to support St Luke’s close to home.