In the community
Fundraising volunteers are vital to make the work we do possible.
Volunteers at a bucket collection
Francis House surrounds seriously ill children and their families with love and life…helping them live every moment to the full, embracing joy and happiness and be themselves in a warm and welcoming home from home.
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 £15,900 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
Current vacancies 2026/2027 include:
Bucket Collections (Dates and times flexible)
Various bucket collections at supermarkets around Greater Manchester.
Charity Shop
Regular volunteers required to help in the shop – shifts to be discussed based on volunteers availability.
Francis House Open Day – 7th November 2026 (10am – 4pm)
Two volunteers required to serve refreshments to visitors plus one volunteer to sell Christmas cards and merchandise.
Wilmslow Round Table Bonfire – 7th November 2026 (3.30pm – 8.00pm)
Duties could involve manning the gates, selling light sticks, working on various stalls and marshalling.
Christmas Fetes and Fairs
Volunteers to run stalls at various events across Greater Manchester. Two people per event – all items and merchandise will be provided.
2027
Christmas Tree Collection – early January 2027
Drivers (with or without vans) to collect used Christmas trees from around the Greater Manchester area and deliver them to Wythenshawe Park for chipping. Volunteers are also required to help chip the trees. This is an ideal opportunity for corporate groups as up to 10 volunteers are required each day over 4 days.
Easter Chick Appeal 2027
Volunteer drivers required to deliver our chicks to local schools and businesses. Group of up to 15 volunteers to spend a day at Francis House stuffing Creme Eggs into chicks (10am – 4pm) during February/March.
Francis House Open Day – April 2027 (10am – 4pm)
Two volunteers required to serve refreshments to visitors plus one volunteer to sell Christmas cards and merchandise.
Great Manchester Run Cheering Squad – 23rd May 2027
Volunteers required to wear Francis House T-shirts, hold banners and cheer on our 100 plus runners along the 10k and half marathon course. (Various times between 9am – 2pm)
Didsbury Festival – June 2027
Two people at a time required to set up and run a stall in Didsbury Park selling merchandise plus a raffle or tombola. Hours can be flexible (10am – 5pm) with whatever you can give and we can work on a shift rota.
Volunteers will be added to a mailing list to receive ad-hoc volunteering opportunities as and when they arise.
Collection box volunteers
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 the fundraising office 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
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.
Volunteers help out with Christmas tree recycling
