We offer a variety of support groups and events for families affected by childhood cancer. We’re looking for a friendly and attentive volunteer to help the Family Support Team to set up and manage each event to ensure it runs smoothly and successfully for families.

Location

Across Yorkshire (most groups are at The Square, 8 Woodhouse Square, Leeds, LS3 1AD) 

Time commitment

We ask volunteers to commit to at least five events throughout the year.

Key Activities 

Activities will vary but may include: 

• Helping to set up prior to the event (arranging furniture, putting up decorations etc …) 
• Putting out food and refreshments 
• Meeting and greeting  
• Keeping a record of attendance 
• Making hot and cold drinks  
• Cleaning and tidying up  
• Serving lunches and refreshments 
• Taking photos 
• Organising or assisting with games and activities 
• Engaging with family members and helping them to feel involved 
• Supervising children 
• Cleaning and tidying up at the end of the event 
• Assisting the team with any other tasks and activities 

We are looking for a volunteer who: 

• Has experience of working with children or families in a professional context 
• Has knowledge of safeguarding procedures and safer working practices
• Is confident, friendly and approachable 
• Is experienced in working as part of a team  
• Can work well and remain calm under pressure 
• Is proactive and able to use own initiative 
• Can move furniture (tables and chairs) and boxes  
• Can maintain professional boundaries and follow Candlelighters Policies and Procedures.

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check. 

Support and Benefits 

It’s vital that our volunteers feel rewarded for their amazing efforts so we want to match your goals, aspirations, availability and everything else with the right opportunity for you. Here are a few examples of what you will receive as a volunteer:

• Thorough induction & training to give you the confidence to perform your role well and to the best of your ability 
• Opportunity to develop new and existing skills to help you beyond your involvement with Candlelighters 
• Ongoing support from the Family Support and HR teams 
• Certain expenses to be reimbursed as agreed with your Volunteer Supervisor, in accordance with our Expenses policy 
• Regular reviews with your Volunteer Supervisor to help you develop in your role 
• Satisfaction in knowing you are making a valuable contribution to supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer 
• We can be a reference once you’ve volunteered for three months 
• Access to the mental health hotline 
• Charity Worker Discount card 
• Access to The Company Shop 

We are recognised by Great Place To Work® on multiple Best Workplaces Lists and 97% of our employees say Candlelighters is a great place to work!

We recognise that family members accessing our services may wish to volunteer with Candlelighters. However, this role is not suitable for family members receiving support from Candlelighters. This is to ensure they receive the best possible care and support without any potential conflict of interest. Other volunteering opportunities can be found on our website.

Please note, volunteers will not be able to volunteer at a group attended by families they know in a personal capacity.  

How to Apply

Please find the full recruitment pack here.

If you would like to apply, please email your CV to [email protected] and we will then send you an application form to complete. Alternatively, please complete the online application form found here.

Interview

Candlelighters will conduct an in-person informal interview with shortlisted candidates on a date to be arranged.

We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all candidates. If you have any specific requirements or need any adjustments to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know in advance. We are happy to explore how we can best accommodate your needs to ensure a fair and comfortable experience for everyone.

At Candlelighters, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and transparent recruitment process to ensure that you can make an informed decisions about volunteering with us. With this in mind, we acknowledge certain physical and logistical limitations within our office environment:

• Our building has steep stairs and no lift access. We recognise that this may present challenges for individuals with mobility needs.
• We use a hot desking system (employees and volunteers do not have fixed desks). We understand that this setup may not be ideal for everyone, and we are open to discussing potential adjustments to accommodate individual needs.

We encourage prospective applicants to carefully consider these factors to determine if our work environment aligns with their needs and preferences before applying.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call the HR and Volunteering Manager, Corinne, on 0113 887 8333.