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

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 LGBTQIA+ 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.

Welcome and Reception Volunteer

Could you be the face of ECHC? Based near one of the main entrances of Edinburgh’s children’s hospital, you will often be the first point of contact for hosptial visitors. You will assist with directions and wayfinding while also ensuring all those who come through the doors are aware of ECHC’s services and work.

We are looking for volunteers for weekdays (Mon-Fri) 9am-1pm and 1-5pm – one volunteer per slot.

For more information about the role please check out the role profile. To apply, click below.

Shop Volunteer

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to help in our shop which serves staff and visitors at the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People. No retail experience is necessary as full training will be given, just a friendly attitude and willingness to learn. We are currently looking to fill the following shifts:

  • Tuesdays 9am – 1pm
  • Wednesday 8am – 11am
  • Wednesday 2pm – 5pm

We are ideally looking for volunteers who can cover a shift on a weekly basis.

Click here to see the full role profile.

Shop Trolley Volunteer

We are offer a 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.

We are looking to fill the following shift:

  • Thursday 1pm – 3pm

Click here to see the full role profile.

 

The Haven: Wellbeing Support Volunteer

We are seeking caring and passionate volunteers to support our children’s mental health service, The Haven. You will volunteer alongside a team of ECHC staff who will fully support you in this role to welcome and support young people and their families experiencing mental health issues. Our aim is to increase emotional resilience, promote safety, improve mental health and wellbeing, promote recovery, and prevent problems escalating.

Click here to view the 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.