Volunteer
We simply couldn’t do what we do without the help of volunteers.
Whether you’re looking for a regular volunteering opportunity or just want to help out every once in a while, there are so many ways you can support us by giving your time.
Volunteering with ECHC
Volunteers help in many ways, from staffing our hospital shops, supporting us at our events, distributing and gathering collection cans and helping in the office.
As an ECHC volunteer, you will receive an induction and all necessary training. You will have a named contact and be welcomed to volunteer events to meet the wider team and other volunteers. We will also regularly keep you up to date with any new opportunities and how your support is making a difference.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept volunteers under the age of 16 unless they are accompanied by a responsible adult.
Please scroll down to find out about the current volunteering roles we have available.
Equal opportunities & access needs
At ECHC, we want everyone to have opportunity to take part. Having a diverse range of perspectives within our volunteer group improves our work and upholds our values. We encourage people that represent the diverse communities that we serve to apply to volunteer with us. We actively recruit volunteers with experience of disability, neurodivergence, ethnic minoritisation and from LGBTQ+ communities.
We think carefully when creating our roles to cater to a broad range of access needs. We encourage you to discuss your access needs when invited to interview and we will then adapt our process as best we can. We can also explore together the role that might best suit you. Whilst we can’t guarantee a position that suits all access needs, we actively work towards broadening accessibility with our volunteers and staff. All disabled applicants who meet our role criteria will be interviewed.
Hub Volunteer
We’re seeking volunteers to support our drop in service, The Hub, based within the RHCYP. In this varied role we’re looking for people who can enthusiastically participate in activities with children and young people, and provide and empathetic listening ear to families when needed. If this sounds like you, please do get in touch.
Full details can be found in the role profile and the available, weekly slots are:
- Mondays 9.30am-12.30pm
- Tuesdays 9.30am-12.30pm
- Tuesdays 1.30pm-4.30pm
- Wednesdays 1.30pm-4.30pm
- Thursdays 9.30am-12.30pm
- Fridays 9.30am-12.30pm
- Fridays 1.30pm-4.30pm
Wellbeing & Resilience Volunteer
We have developed a new and exciting project which supports the wellbeing and resilience of children and young people who are struggling with their mental health. This project will support the whole family (child, parents/guardian, siblings, grandparents etc.) through challenging times, by offering support and advice. It will be piloted for over a two year period in Tranent.
We are seeking caring and passionate volunteers to support our Wellbeing and Resilience Programme which will be delivered from the Fraser Centre, Tranent. You will volunteer alongside a team of ECHC staff who will fully support you in this role to welcome, support and signpost families with a child who is experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues. Please see the role profile for more information and get in touch if you have any questions.
Shop Volunteers
We are looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to help in the ECHC Hospital shop. Our shop serves the staff, children, families and visitors in the RHCYP with drinks, snacks, sandwiches, gifts and more. No experience is necessary as full training will be given. Please see role profile for more details. We are currently looking for support at the following times:
- Fridays, 12pm-3pm
- Fridays, 3pm-5pm/6pm
- Sundays, 10am-3.30pm, monthly (timing could be split 10am-1pm and 12pm-3.30pm)
If interested please complete an application form. Please note – due to staff holidays, this volunteering opportunity would likely begin in late July.
Shop Trolley Volunteers
We are delighted to be able to resume our shop trolley service, bringing a small selection of our shop offering round the wards for those unable to pop down to the shop itself. We are looking for friendly and enthusiastic volunteers to help us run the service. No retail experience is necessary and full training will be given. For more details, please see the role profile.
As this is a new service, we have volunteer opportunities to fill on Tuesdays and Fridays. The timing of this role will be 1-4pm and we are ideally looking for volunteers who can cover a shift on a weekly basis, but fortnightly will be considered.
To apply, please complete the volunteer application form below.
Fundraising Volunteers
Our fundraising team are vital to the work of ECHC, raising the funds that allow us to help babies, children and young people in hospital and beyond. We are keen to build and develop our team of volunteers who support our fundraising activities, creating a bank of trained volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks throughout the year.
We have a number of different volunteer roles available to support the team. Most roles involve providing support on an ad hoc basis (depending on the needs and activities of the fundraising team), with a minimum commitment across the year. Once accepted and trained for a role, the bank of volunteers will be contacted when tasks or events are planned and invited to help out.
Please see individual role profiles for more information or get in touch if you want to chat through the requirements of the role.
- Static Can Volunteer
Assisting the fundraising team with picking up and replacing static cans in businesses throughout Edinburgh, Fife & the Lothians. We are particularly looking for volunteers to support in Edinburgh City centre/West End and in the Borders.
Full Role Profile - Community Team Events Volunteer
Supporting the community fundraising team with our fantastic calendar of fundraising events throughout the year including bucket collections, bag packs and cheer stations at sporting events.
Full Role Profile - Special Events Volunteer
Assisting the Relationship Fundraising Team at our high-profile special events throughout the year.
Full Role Profile
To apply for any of these roles, please click the button to complete the Volunteer Application form, ensuring you give details of relevant skills or experience for the role(s) applied for in relation to the role profile.
Hospital Volunteering
Please note: the volunteering opportunities we offer are to support the work undertaken and services provided by our charity. Many of our opportunities are NOT based within the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.
If you are looking to volunteer within the hospital (e.g. ward volunteers), please visit the NHS Lothian volunteering page for more information.