Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice supports children with life-shortening conditions and their families across West Yorkshire.

We’re here for any family confronted with the news their child has a life-shortening condition, however, wherever and whenever they need us. By providing superb nursing care, hydrotherapy, creative therapy, days out, memory making, end of life care, bereavement support and counselling, Forget Me Not helps families make the most of every moment they have together.

We need to raise over £4 million a year to keep doing what we do – and with less than 6% of that coming from the government, we rely on our local community to help us continue to be here for the children and families who need us.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rates us as ‘outstanding’. This puts us in the top 1% of all of the organisations they inspect.

Please note: this role is for ages 18+ 

You will be based at the Forget Me Not Children's Hospice, Russell House, Fell Greave Road, Huddersfield HD2 1NH.

Role Purpose

As an Activity Team Volunteer, you will support the delivery of fun, engaging, and inclusive activities for children, young people, and their families within the hospice. You will help create a welcoming and positive environment by assisting with activity sessions, including setting up and clearing away equipment, while working alongside staff and other volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist staff with the setup and close down of activity sessions, including preparing spaces, materials, and equipment
• Support children and young people to take part in activities, adapting your approach to individual needs and abilities
• Help provide a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable environment during sessions (e.g. arts and crafts, games, sensory play, seasonal events)
• Engage with children and families in a friendly, respectful, and supportive manner
• Tidy and clean activity areas after sessions, ensuring equipment is stored safely
• Follow hospice policies and procedures, including safeguarding, health and safety, infection control, and confidentiality
• Use our volunteer app, 'Volunteero', to book shifts, log your gifted volunteering hours (as this also helps us apply for addition funding for the hospice), communicate with staff, and stay up to date with training and updates
• Work as part of a team with staff and other volunteers

Skills

• Good communication skills
• Able to work effectively as part of a team
• Comfortable completing tasks with minimal supervision
• Organised and able to manage time effectively
• Reliable and punctual
• Comfortable assisting with practical tasks such as setting up tables, moving resources, or lifting light equipment (with support if required)

   

   

Do I need any experience?

No specific qualifications are required. Previous experience with children is welcome but not essential – full training will be provided.

Qualities

• Warm, friendly, patient, and approachable
• Compassionate, empathetic, and respectful of diversity and individual needs
• Sensitive to the needs of children with complex medical conditions
• Calm, confident, and trustworthy
• Enjoys working with children and young people
• Flexible and adaptable with a warm sense of humour
• Willing to continue learning and developing
• Self‑aware and reflective

Training and Support

• Induction and role‑specific training provided
• Safeguarding and health & safety training
• Ongoing support and supervision from hospice staff
• Opportunities to develop skills and gain experience in a children's hospice environment

Expectations

This role requires an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. Volunteers must adhere to the hospice’s safeguarding policies at all times. You will also be asked to complete e-learning as part of our mandatory training process.

What happens next?

If you are interested in this role, please apply and a member of the team will give you a call and arrange an informal interview.

If you are successful, you will need to complete a DBS check and provide 2 satisfactory references. Before you start, you will also need to complete a series of mandatory E-learning.

• Application form required
• References required
• DBS (criminal record check that the organisation will organise)

Referees need to have known you 5 years or more.

• 18+