Volunteering with Alder Hey
Our volunteers have told us that giving their time is an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience, allowing them to meet friends, gain new skills and contribute to the community.
The first step to becoming a volunteer is to attend one of our recruitment sessions. These sessions will include all the information you need and also provide you with a chance to ask any questions. They will also include an informal small group interview.
Upcoming Recruitment Sessions
Please note
Volunteer Recruitment sessions for the rest of the year are currently fully booked. Please revisit this page for news of potential extra sessions.
All volunteers must be able to commit to a 12-month commitment of a minimum of four hours per week.
Volunteer roles include:
- Meet and greet in the atrium
- Ward/department receptionist
- Ward mealtime support
- Volunteer in our A&E department
- Play Support/Bedtime reading
- Ward companions
- Admin support
- Family Friends Test/ survey
- Family support
- Baby Cuddling
- PALS support
- Gardening
- Christmas/Events
- Performing
- Arts and crafts
- Facepainting
- Smoke patrol
All our volunteers must complete the following recruitment process:
- Attend a recruitment session.
- Complete an enhanced adult and child DBS check (provided by the Alder Hey).
- Occupational Health check.
- Two references.
- Mandatory training.
- Complete a six-week induction period.
As a volunteer, we will support you by providing all relevant training and we will offer any additional sessions that may be of interest to you to enhance your role. We will provide free parking, travel expenses (£4.50 maximum per day), refreshment breaks and provide you with your volunteer uniform t-shirt and grey pants for a £10 refundable deposit.
If you are looking for work experience within Alder Hey, please direct your enquiries to [email protected].
The important role our volunteers play
Volunteers complement the roles of paid staff; they do not replace them. Careful consideration has therefore been given to activities that volunteers undertake. Volunteers do not provide core services; instead, they provide support which adds value to services and the roles of paid staff.
Alder Hey Volunteers receive The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

We are proud to have received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. It is the highest award a voluntary service can receive in the UK and is a testament to all of our amazing volunteers, who give up their own time to enhance the experience of our children and young people and their families.
Contact us
Please email us at [email protected] or call 0151 228 4811 – Ext 3174/3175