Get Involved - Working with Us
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To assist our professional staff we have a number of voluntary opportunities. The different roles vary in both numbers of volunteers required and the duties they perform. The volunteer vacancies vary from month to month and details are constantly updated.

Most vacancies are on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, but if a volunteer could only offer one session a month, we would consider the application.

Our Voluntary Services Manager is Louise Gourlay. Please contact her on 01923 844569, or email her on  louisegourlay@nhs.net for further information on any vacancies.

Unit Support

Friendly, caring people serve refreshments and talk to the patients and their visitors and provide general help around the Unit. The task is carried out three times a day, seven days a week at 10am (3 hours), 2.15pm(1½ hours) and 7.30pm(1 hour).
We have vacancies at 10 am on Tuesdays,  Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 
At 2:15 we have vacancies Mondays, Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays.
At 7:30 pm we have vacancies on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Volunteers assist the Housekeeper with the distribution of breakfast (7.30am - 9am), lunch (12 noon - 1.30pm) and dinner (4.30pm - 6pm). Distributing the meals, offering alternatives, talking to patients, their families and friends and helping to clear up is all part of the role.
There are vacancies at 7:30 am Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. 
At 12 pm we have vacancies on Thursdays, and at 4:30 pm there are vacancies Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays Saturdays and Sundays

Day Therapies Unit

Day Centre Unit volunteers help under the direction of the Day Therapies Unit Sister, providing hospitality and friendship to patients attending the Day Centre as well as actively participating in any planned recreational activities. Duties are of a non-nursing nature. The Day Therapy Unit is open Tuesday through to Friday and it is important to be available weekly on this team. Time involved is usually one morning (9.30am – 12noon) or afternoon (1pm - 3.30pm) each week.

Day Therapies Unit  – COMPLEMENTARY THERAPISTS

The Day Therapy Unit offers complementary therapies to the patients attending the Day Unit. Current therapies include manicure, hairdressing, reflexology, aromatherapy and reiki. The Day Therapy Unit is open Tuesday through to Friday and it is usual to be available either weekly or fortnightly for either a 3-4 hour morning or afternoon shift or for the whole day.

Day Therapies Unit Drivers

Volunteer drivers are involved in collecting patients from their homes and transporting them to the Day Therapy Unit at Michael Sobell House for 9.30am. Drivers then arrive at approximately 3.30pm for the return trip. The Day Unit is open Tuesday through to Friday and although most drivers are available every week, we do have a requirement for those that can help occasionally or at short notice. Time involved is usually about 1-2 hours each way on the same day each week. Drivers are asked to initially produce their driving documents and annually thereafter. Mileage expenses are paid.
We are particularly looking for volunteers who are willing to drive to Uxbridge/West Drayton areas

Tasks mainly concern the upkeep of the pleasant garden and patio areas. The team meets on a Tuesday morning although there are always jobs to do throughout the week.

Volunteers are required to provide emotional support and practical help for patients within the patients own home. As well as practical help they may offer a listening ear, companionship, the opportunity for a short outing, or a sitting service thus enabling the usual carer to take a short break. Recruitment and selection campaigns run on an occasional basis followed by a training and induction programme. Home Visits may then take place at any time of the day, evening or weekend to suit both the patient and the visiting volunteer.

No vacancies at present

Volunteers are required to clean and maintain the delightful aviary with Michael Sobell House. Volunteers work within a small team who have the responsibility for the maintenance of the aviary as well as the well-being and purchasing of birds and equipment.
We have a vacancy for help on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Volunteers with a sound knowledge of Word and Excel are required to support the work of the professional staff at Michael Sobell House. Time involved is usually between 3 and 5 hours on one morning or afternoon each week on a regular on-going basis. Administration and reception volunteers provide help during normal office hours of Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm.

Charity Shops

We have two highly successful charity shops, one in Northwood and one in Ruislip town centres. The shops open from 10am to 4pm and three or four volunteers man the shop splitting the day between them. Sorting goods, pricing stock, cash handling and serving customers are all involved.

Please contact the shops directly to discuss vacancies.

Office and general help is always very welcome in our busy Fundraising office. We have an active fundraising calendar packed with events. You could use your skills in many ways to the benefit of Michael Sobell House. Duties include telephone work, mail-shots and photocopying. We have a number of annual events for which we rely on voluntary help.

Volunteers are needed to help us with a range of events
Please contact Fundraising Office for details of vacancies on 01923-844829