Current Volunteer Opportunities
There are so many ways you can volunteer your time, skills or enthusiasm to help us make a difference for babies, children, young people and their families across the whole East Midlands. Whether you have an hour to spare or a whole day, we would love to hear from you.
Volunteers support everything we do at Rainbows
By volunteering with us, you’ll become part of our amazing team. With over 300 dedicated volunteers supporting our work across a range of roles, there are a variety ways you can make a difference. Whether you are interested in a role at our hospice, in the local community or in our retail shops, we will have something that suits you.
To get started, please click on the roles below where we are actively seeking new volunteers. If you are interested in becoming involved, you can download an application form by clicking here: Volunteer Application Form.
If you have any questions or want to return the application form electronically, please contact us on [email protected] or call us on 01509 283 956.
Explore our Volunteer Handbook to discover what it’s like to be a Rainbows volunteer!
Keep In Touch Volunteer
Keep in Touch Volunteers play a vital role in connecting families with the Hospice. Volunteers do this by making an outreach telephone call to a family; checking-in with them and signposting them to any wider support which may be needed, as well as any support or services which Rainbows may be able to provide.
Location: Rainbows Hospice, LE11 2HS
Time Commitment: Monday-Friday; 4 hours a week, 9:30am-1:30pm
Retail Shop Volunteer
Our shops wouldn’t exist without the amazing support of our volunteers! You play a vital role in our high street presence, helping us raise awareness for Rainbows, sell our fantastic products, and generate crucial funds to support our hospice’s incredible work.
Our shop locations:
- Arnold
- Beeston
- Long Eaton
- Market Harborough
- Wigston
- Melton Mowbray
- Lutterworth (OPENING SOON!)
Time Commitment: Monday-Sunday; Minimum 2 hours a week
Van Driver Volunteer
Step into the driver’s seat and join our close-knit team of drivers and mates. Whilst you start at our hospice in Lark Rise, you will be travelling the landscapes of the East Midlands, where every mile driven fuels our support for our babies, children, young people and their families. Last year our van drivers and mates covered over 18,700 miles, showing just how vital a link they are between the hospice and our retail shops. Your role in transporting our donations directly contributes to raising valuable funds crucial for our hospice’s work.
Location: Rainbows Hospice, LE11 2HS
Time Commitment: Monday-Friday; Minimum 4 hours a week between 8:30am-12:30pm or 1pm-5pm
Van Drivers Mate Volunteer
Step into the passenger seat and join our close-knit team of drivers and mates. Whilst you start at our hospice in Lark Rise, you will be travelling the landscapes of the East Midlands, where every mile driven fuels our support for our babies, children, young people and their families. Last year our van drivers and mates covered over 18,700 miles, showing just how vital a link they are between the hospice and our retail shops. Your role in transporting our donations directly contributes to raising valuable funds crucial for our hospice’s work.
Location: Rainbows Hospice, LE11 2HS
Time Commitment: Monday-Friday; Minimum 4 hours a week between 8:30am-12:30pm or 1pm-5pm
Reception Volunteer- Thursday AM/ Friday AM & PM
Reception Volunteers are the vibrant and welcoming face and voice that greets every visitor
and caller. They create a warm, inviting atmosphere and make the first impression
unforgettable, embodying the spirit of care and compassion that Rainbows is known for.
Location: Rainbows Hospice, LE11 2HS
Time Commitment: Every Thursday morning; 10am-1:30pm or every Friday; either 10am-1:30pm or 1:30pm-5pm
Bow Bear Mascot
We are looking for volunteers with a sense of fun and energy who can wear the Bow Bear costume at events across the East Midlands. Bow Bear is hugely important in raising the profile of Rainbows and spreading fun and happiness to everyone they meet.
Location: Local events across the East Midlands
Time Commitment: Ad-hoc/Flexible
Event Support Volunteer
Every year hundreds of people run, abseil, skydive and eat cake, to raise funds to help Rainbows care for babies, children, young people and their families across the East Midlands. Behind them are a team of dedicated Event Volunteers who are vital in ensuring our events run smoothly.
From local concerts and golf days, to daring abseils and firewalks our events are vital in helping to raise not only funds, but awareness of the work Rainbows Hospice does across the East Midlands and they simply wouldn’t be possible without our enthusiastic volunteers helping on the day. Not only is it a great opportunity to connect with a range of different people; it is also one of our most flexible volunteering roles, allowing volunteers to choose events which fit around their schedule and commitments.
Location: Local events across the East Midlands
Time Commitment: Ad-hoc/Flexible
Community Fundraiser Volunteer
Rainbows supports around 750 babies, children and young people, throughout the East Midlands, each year; but the annual statutory funding we receive would only keep Rainbows open for 7 weeks. Therefore, our Community Fundraisers play a vital role in helping us to, quite literally, keep our doors open.
With over 100 fundraising events and activities each year, there are lots of different ways you could help us raise vital money to help us brighten short lives – there really is something for everyone! Not only is it a great opportunity to connect with a range of different people; it is also one of our most flexible volunteering roles, allowing volunteers to choose events which fit around their schedule and commitments.
Location: Local events across the East Midlands
Time Commitment: Ad-hoc/Flexible
Gardening Volunteer
Our garden volunteers play a vital role in transforming our hospice grounds into a vibrant and welcoming haven where our families and children can play and make special memories. Dive into a range of exciting tasks spread across our award-winning gardens, making sure that everyone can enjoy a safe and welcoming outdoor area. Celebrate your accomplishments with a well-earned tea break with new friends. Join us and let your green thumb make a real impact!
Location: Rainbows Hospice, LE11 2HS
Time Commitment: Monday or Wednesday morning; Minimum 2 hours a week
Loughborough Santa Run
- Date: Sunday 1st December 2024
- Time: Various 7.00am- 2.00pm (majority of roles begin at 9am)
- Venue: Market Place, Loughborough LE11 2PZ
In 2022 the Rainbows Loughborough Santa Run saw over 600 Santa’s taking to the streets of Loughborough for what was a brilliant festive event! Last year it was due to be even bigger before the untimely snow hindered our plans BUT this year we are back and we are hoping it will be bigger and better with our 2.5km and 5km options. To make this possible we need over 80 volunteers to help to bring some festive cheer on race day!
The roles will include; Set up, Registration, Marshalling, Stewards and Medal Station volunteers.
If you are interested in becoming involved, you can download an application form by clicking here: Volunteer Application Form and emailing it to [email protected].
If you have any questions or want to return the application form electronically, please contact us on [email protected] or call us on 01509 283 956.
