Cornwall Hospice Care is a 24/7 Cornish healthcare charity that provides specialist support for people with terminal illnesses. We support patients and their families at Mount Edgcumbe Hospice in St Austell and at St Julia’s Hospice in Hayle.
Cornwall Hospice Care has a mixture of charity shops and furniture outlets throughout Cornwall which receive regular supplies of stock from the central warehouse in Holmbush, St Austell. The Van Driver’s Assistant Volunteer works alongside the Van Drivers, warehouse staff, Store Managers and other volunteers helping to collect items from locations around Cornwall and assisting with deliveries.
What is the Van Drivers Assistant Volunteer role?
We have a team of Van Drivers and Volunteer Driver Assistants to ensure that all our logistical needs are met and that we maintain a good supply of stock to our charity shops and furniture stores. The Van Driver’s Assistant Volunteer will travel with the Van Driver around the beautiful countryside of Cornwall.
You’ll assist with loading and unloading the vehicles ready for distribution to our stores or for transporting furniture to our specialist furniture stores in St Austell, Wadebridge and Penryn. You may be collecting donations to take back to the distribution centre or helping to deliver items to customers’ homes. No two days are the same and although sometimes it can be physically demanding, the role can provide a real variety of tasks and the opportunity to get out and meet our customers.
Van Drivers Assistant volunteer key responsibilities:
- Helping drivers load and off-load stock.
- Delivering shop orders and supporting the Van Driver and Store Managers in all aspects of goods transportation.
- Collecting donated goods, furniture and stock to take to the warehouse or furniture stores.
- Lifting and moving items within Health and Safety guidelines.
- Providing excellent customer service.
Volunteer Commitment:
Our Donation Centres are currently open Monday to Saturday. The nature of this Van Driver’s Assistant Volunteer role, which involves travelling throughout the county, means we’d prefer you to complete a full day.
Volunteer skills and qualities:
You don’t need to have any previous experience to volunteer with us in this role as we’ll provide you with free training.
If you’re reliable and adaptable and possess a good sense of humour with plenty of enthusiasm, that’s all we need. A good level of physical fitness is necessary as heavy lifting is involved.
Induction and training
To see if you’d like working with us you can come in for a trial session and join the driver for some of the volunteering tasks, such as preparing for deliveries and unloading the vehicle.
All our volunteers receive an induction that includes a welcome tour of the Donation Centre, health and safety procedures and an introduction to the team. You may also be shown some of the equipment you’ll be using, including the Personal Protective Equipment that is necessary for you to wear.
Volunteers are asked to complete some mandatory training modules that are relevant to the role, this will be explained by your Donation Centre Manager on your first day.
What will you gain?
- A rewarding experience visiting various locations across Cornwall.
- Enhanced customer service skills and an understanding of logistics and warehouse operations.
- A growing confidence.
- Fun and laughter with people who’ll become your friends.
- The knowledge that you’re helping your community.
- An understanding of a very special Cornish charity.
Volunteers will be invited to attend a first conversation with member of staff prior to completing a shadowing shift.
