The Rank Foundation Grants from Hospice UK - Volunteer to Career Programme

This grant programme supports hospices in the UK to deliver the Volunteer to Career programme, addressing an impending retirement crisis in the hospice sector where one third of the clinical workforce is aged over 55. The programme, developed by Hospice UK in partnership with Helpforce, creates routes into hospice clinical careers at all levels and establishes a pipeline of new clinical staff through a Volunteer to Career pathway. The programme engages 10 hospices to recruit local volunteers who will undertake 60 hours of certificated training over one year, supported by a dedicated Clinical Lead at each hospice. Volunteers receive blended learning, mentorship, and project planning support. By the end of training, volunteers are supported onto career pathways aligned to hospice workforce needs, including university courses, workplace apprenticeships, or paid employment routes to become nursing associates at clinical band 2 or 3. The grant contributes towards the cost of supporting Clinical Leads to undertake this work, with hospices covering additional expenses such as volunteer expenses.