In the community
Fundraising volunteers are vital to make the work we do possible.
Volunteers at a bucket collection
Francis House Children’s Hospice opened in 1991 and is a lifeline to countless families from across the north west of England.
Volunteers can help by organising or assisting at events, at bucket collections, bag packs, managing our collection boxes and even public speaking. Check out our latest opportunities further down the page.
Why do we need volunteers?
Our volunteers are very important to us and make a big difference by:
- Bringing knowledge, life skills and ideas
- Providing a presence in the local communities that we serve
- Performing tasks that enable us to save money, allowing us to spend more on services that support families
- Helping us to raise vital funds and contributing towards the £13,150.00 we need everyday.
We are also looking for people to join, or start local fundraising groups. If you have time to spare and would like to find out more contact our fundraising office on 0161 443 2200.
Get in touch
Collection Boxes
Our collection boxes can be found out in the community and provide us with a valuable source of income. A Francis House collection box on the counter of a shop or pub demonstrates that the business and public are supporting our Hospice and that means a lot to us!
Volunteers look after a number of the charity boxes on our behalf and we need reliable supporters to help us manage their drop-off and collection. We have boxes in almost 100 different locations from Oldham to Altrincham, Uppermill to Urmston, Rochdale to Romiley and all around Greater Manchester.
The generosity of many people means that the boxes need swapping every 3 or 6 months. If you can help in any way please get in touch, equally if you have a suggestion for a new location we would love to hear it!
Call Julie Williams on call 0161 443 2200 or contact fundraising@francishouse.org.uk
"It was always my aim when I finished work that I would do some volunteering because I didn’t want to be sat around doing nothing."
Cheryl Thompson
Current opportunities
Volunteers help us at collections at football matches, supermarkets and other collections as well as marshalling at events, packing our Easter chicks, delivering and collecting items, and managing stalls.
Current vacancies include:
Bucket Collections
Various bucket collections at Morrisons supermarkets around Greater Manchester. Dates and times flexible.
Easter Chick Appeal
Volunteers drivers required to deliver our chicks to local schools and businesses.
Group of 15 volunteers to spend day at Francis House stuffing crème eggs into chicks (9.30am – 4.30pm) x 2
Great Manchester Run Cheering Squad – Sunday 26th May 2024
Volunteers required to wear Francis House t-shirts, hold banners and cheer our 100 runners along the 10k and half marathon city centre course. Various times between 9am – 2pm.
Didsbury Festival – Saturday 8th June 2024
Two people at a time to set up and run a stall in Didsbury Park selling merchandise plus raffle or tombola. (10am – 5pm)
Brookside Garden Centre, Poynton – Sunday 23rd June 2024 (10am – 4pm)
The garden centre runs a mini steam train and the volunteers will be required to help with ticket sales and ensuring people get on and off the train safely. There will also be a bucket collection, tombola or raffle and an information stand.
Classic Ibiza – 29th June 2024
Family friendly music festival held in the stunning grounds of Tatton Park. 10 volunteers required to sell raffle tickets and work on the Francis House festival stall.
Festival of Christmas Trees – October 2024
Group of 8 people to put up 40 artificial Christmas trees with lights.
Christmas Tree Collection (January 2025)
Drivers (with or without vans) required to help collect used Christmas trees around Greater Manchester and deliver to Wythenshawe Park where they are chipped. Volunteers are also required to help with the chipping of the trees. Ideal opportunity for corporate group as up to 10 volunteers required each day over 4 days.
Volunteers help out with Christmas tree recycling
What can you get from volunteering?
As well as helping us to continue to support the families in greatest need, you will:
- Meet new people and be part of an enthusiastic team
- Learn or develop new skills
- Spend your time doing something worthwhile and gain a sense of achievement
- Enhance the prospect of getting a job
- Gain experience from working with our fundraising team
- Help raise money to make a real difference to children and young people with life-limiting conditions.
