Volunteer HubVolunteer Hub
Welcome to the Volunteer Hub
If you’re already one of our fantastic volunteers, then this Hub is for you! You can find useful information and resources, and we regularly share news and updates to do with volunteering at Cancer Research UK.
Latest Updates
Changes to our shops
We’ve announced an important change to our retail operations that will impact some of our shop volunteers.
Our volunteer skills pack
As a volunteer, the time you give makes a huge impact at Cancer Research UK, helping to make our life-saving research possible. Volunteering can also have many benefits for you too. 69% of our volunteers tell us that volunteering at Cancer Research UK has enabled them to build on existing skills and/or develop new ones.
We’ve recently updated our volunteer skills pack. This is a personal reflection record, designed to help you get the most out of your volunteering. It’s a helpful guide and place to log your objectives, learnings, skills and achievements from your time volunteering with us, making it easy to track your progress and achievements. If you would like a copy, please speak to your staff contact who will be able to provide one. Below, we’re sharing Liam’s story, which shows how volunteering can help to develop your skills and confidence.
Meet Liam
Shop volunteer Liam started volunteering in the Barrow-In-Furness shop in 2018, following a college work placement.
“When I first started, I wouldn't say a word to a goose. But I've built up my communication skills and it's just been brilliant.
“I’d not done anything like this before, and it was a lot to take in. But then I had the enjoyment of being surrounded by people who are there to help and support you. I decided, yeah, I like it here.
“There's lots of opportunities ahead of you when you start. You can gain different skills and new friends. You've got some amazing people here."
Welcome to volunteering with Cancer Research UK
We want you to get the most out of volunteering with us and feel supported. Your volunteer manager will be able to tell you more about how we can support you in your role.
The Welcome to Volunteering booklet has been designed for volunteers as an overview of everything you need to know about your time with us. It includes volunteer stories, our commitment to you, and outlines why volunteers like you are vital to Cancer Research UK.
Our Welcome to Volunteering video outlines how the time you give supports vital work so that Cancer Research UK can continue to make progress.
Watch the video:
Shop Volunteer, Margaret, and Events Volunteer, Mike, have also shared their experiences of volunteering.
When you join us we want you to feel supported, updated and a valued member of our volunteering community. We welcome and appreciate your feedback at any time.
Sharing your experiences
Share your story with us
We love hearing our volunteers' stories! If you'd like to share your volunteering experiences with us, please complete our 'Share Your Story' form below. You can tell us what inspired you to start volunteering, what you enjoy, and what you might say to anyone thinking about getting involved.
Share your love of volunteering with our online badges
A variety of online badges have been created to help you share your love of volunteering with friends and family.
Help us spread the word by downloading and sharing on your social media or adding one to an email signature - you never know who you might inspire to help out too!
Your volunteering resources and information
Your wellbeing and development
Volunteering has many benefits, from boosting your wellbeing to giving you the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. At Cancer Research UK, we are really grateful for the support you give us, and we want to make sure that you have an enjoyable, rewarding and satisfying volunteering experience. Our wellbeing and development page is full of useful resources to help you make the most of your time with us.
Talking about cancer and health
Join our Talk Cancer online workshop to feel more confident in having supportive conversations about how people can reduce their risk of cancer, the importance of early diagnosis, and cancer screening. The Talk Cancer training is created by nurses, with workshop content always backed up by the latest cancer evidence.
Cancer support
To talk to others affected by cancer, visit our Cancer Chat forum. Or if you have questions about cancer, you can speak to one of our nurses on freephone, Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, 0808 800 4040.
Equality, diversity and inclusion at Cancer Research UK
We exist to beat cancer. And beating cancer means beating it for everyone. We want everyone at Cancer Research UK to feel part of an inclusive team, where our differences are valued, we have fair and equal opportunities to succeed and everyone can thrive. As a volunteer with us, it’s important you understand and embody our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) values.
Investing in our volunteers
We were delighted to have been awarded the Investing in Volunteers accreditation for good practice in volunteer management. We appreciate the amazing impact that our volunteers have on our mission to beat cancer. This accreditation is our commitment that we’ll do all we can to give back to our volunteers as much as you give to us.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about volunteering, please speak to your staff contact or email volunteering@cancer.org.uk.