Volunteer for Charity
Do something amazing and volunteer for charity. It’s a fact that without the selfless commitment of our incredible volunteers we simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do.
Their willingness to throw themselves into life at CancerCare enables us to concentrate on doing what we do best – helping people across Lancaster, Morecambe, Kendal and Barrow. Could you volunteer for charity?
Our volunteers bring their life experience and skills to bear in a range of roles including manning the reception desk, driving clients to appointments and helping oversee fundraising events, from coffee mornings to supermarket collections, from sponsored walks to community fun days.
Ask them, and our volunteers will say that helping out at CancerCare is a great way to make new friends, gain new experiences and give something back to the local community.
We are always looking for help and would love to hear from you whatever level of commitment you are willing volunteer from a day a week to an odd couple of hours as and when.
Meet Ann, Volunteer Receptionist at Kendal
Ann has been volunteering with CancerCare since 2018
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
My son had stage three cancer over 20 years ago, and his treatment - which should have taken six months - took over a year. CancerCare was a huge support for me, providing counselling and aromatherapy that helped me get my head around it all. So, when I realised I could give something back, I was delighted.
What does your role involve?
Greeting clients, answering the phone, and sending emails. Opening up if I’m on an early shift, or closing if I’m the last one out.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
Meeting the clients. I feel I can empathise with them, even though I wouldn’t dream of saying that to them.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
Give it a try - it’s so rewarding. And if it’s not for you, at least you’ll know you’ve tried.
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
My son had stage three cancer over 20 years ago, and his treatment - which should have taken six months - took over a year. CancerCare was a huge support for me, providing counselling and aromatherapy that helped me get my head around it all. So, when I realised I could give something back, I was delighted.
What does your role involve?
Greeting clients, answering the phone, and sending emails. Opening up if I’m on an early shift, or closing if I’m the last one out.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
Meeting the clients. I feel I can empathise with them, even though I wouldn’t dream of saying that to them.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
Give it a try - it’s so rewarding. And if it’s not for you, at least you’ll know you’ve tried.
Meet Marilyn, Volunteer Driver in Lancaster
Marilyn has been volunteering at CancerCare since 2017
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
After having a mastectomy back in 2009, I was referred to CancerCare for therapies. As I was unable to drive myself at the time, someone would come to pick me up, take me to Slynedales and bring me home again. I was extremely grateful, not only for the treatment I received, but also for the transport. I always told myself that when I retired, I would become a volunteer driver.
What does your role involve?
Picking up clients from their homes, driving them to Slynedales and driving them back home after their therapy.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
It may sound like a cliché, but I really enjoy helping people.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
I think to be a CancerCare volunteer, you have to like meeting people.
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
After having a mastectomy back in 2009, I was referred to CancerCare for therapies. As I was unable to drive myself at the time, someone would come to pick me up, take me to Slynedales and bring me home again. I was extremely grateful, not only for the treatment I received, but also for the transport. I always told myself that when I retired, I would become a volunteer driver.
What does your role involve?
Picking up clients from their homes, driving them to Slynedales and driving them back home after their therapy.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
It may sound like a cliché, but I really enjoy helping people.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
I think to be a CancerCare volunteer, you have to like meeting people.
Meet John, Volunteer Driver at Barrow
John has been volunteering at CancerCare since 2022
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
I wanted to give something back to my community. I saw that a friend had shared a CancerCare post online requesting volunteer drivers to deliver prescriptions to cancer clients in my area.
What does your role involve?
Initially, I was delivering prescriptions to our clients, but as Covid restrictions eased, I realised that I could do more to help. I was authorised to provide client transport to our Barrow centre.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
Providing help and transport for clients who would otherwise be unable to access our services, and seeing the difference that it makes to their lives. I enjoy being part of the CancerCare family.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
Don’t hesitate - do it. CancerCare is a fantastic organisation to be involved with, and they do such wonderful work.
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
I wanted to give something back to my community. I saw that a friend had shared a CancerCare post online requesting volunteer drivers to deliver prescriptions to cancer clients in my area.
What does your role involve?
Initially, I was delivering prescriptions to our clients, but as Covid restrictions eased, I realised that I could do more to help. I was authorised to provide client transport to our Barrow centre.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
Providing help and transport for clients who would otherwise be unable to access our services, and seeing the difference that it makes to their lives. I enjoy being part of the CancerCare family.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
Don’t hesitate - do it. CancerCare is a fantastic organisation to be involved with, and they do such wonderful work.
Meet Sheila, Volunteer Baker at Lancaster
Sheila has been volunteering at CancerCare since 2025
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
Whilst I was having chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy, my family and I received such kindness and understanding from everyone at CancerCare Morecambe. The lovely Alison, my masseuse, was instrumental in maintaining my courage and mental health. We had been through the darkest of days after my non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in June 2023, and my prognosis was not good. We all benefited from the services, which helped us to cope with the stress and anxiety of my illness.
What does your role involve?
I felt I could support the fundraising events by baking cupcakes and flapjacks.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
I have always enjoyed baking, and now I get to enjoy this without eating all the calories! I get a real buzz when I deliver the cakes. The gratitude and smiles I receive make me feel really appreciated.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
If you want to bake for this marvellous charity, I would say: “Don’t think twice, bake something nice!”
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
Whilst I was having chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy, my family and I received such kindness and understanding from everyone at CancerCare Morecambe. The lovely Alison, my masseuse, was instrumental in maintaining my courage and mental health. We had been through the darkest of days after my non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in June 2023, and my prognosis was not good. We all benefited from the services, which helped us to cope with the stress and anxiety of my illness.
What does your role involve?
I felt I could support the fundraising events by baking cupcakes and flapjacks.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
I have always enjoyed baking, and now I get to enjoy this without eating all the calories! I get a real buzz when I deliver the cakes. The gratitude and smiles I receive make me feel really appreciated.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
If you want to bake for this marvellous charity, I would say: “Don’t think twice, bake something nice!”
Meet Patsie, Allotment Volunteer at Lancaster
Patsie has been volunteering at CancerCare since 2014
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
I had been involved with fundraising when CancerCare was my workplace’s charity of the year, which meant I was able to learn about the work they do — not only supporting the person with the cancer diagnosis but also the people around them.
What does your role involve?
I help run the allotment, maintaining supplies and working on the plot. I’m also part of the wider allotment community. I have also been involved in the Christmas coffee mornings at Leighton Hall, organised fundraising nights, and marshalled sporting events such as Lancaster University’s Tri-A-Tri.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
Getting out, meeting lovely people, and feeling that I am part of something worthwhile.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
Volunteering at CancerCare is rewarding when you see how clients benefit from the facilities provided. The volunteering opportunities are varied, and you get to meet some super people too.
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
I had been involved with fundraising when CancerCare was my workplace’s charity of the year, which meant I was able to learn about the work they do — not only supporting the person with the cancer diagnosis but also the people around them.
What does your role involve?
I help run the allotment, maintaining supplies and working on the plot. I’m also part of the wider allotment community. I have also been involved in the Christmas coffee mornings at Leighton Hall, organised fundraising nights, and marshalled sporting events such as Lancaster University’s Tri-A-Tri.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
Getting out, meeting lovely people, and feeling that I am part of something worthwhile.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
Volunteering at CancerCare is rewarding when you see how clients benefit from the facilities provided. The volunteering opportunities are varied, and you get to meet some super people too.
Meet Una, Volunteer Receptionist at Kendal
Una has been volunteering at CancerCare since 2024
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
It was important for me to ‘give something back’ as CancerCare was such a huge support when my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer and their support continued after he died.
What does your role involve?
I currently volunteer on CancerCare reception every Wednesday afternoon. It’s a genuine pleasure to welcome clients and other centre users. Other duties involve answering the telephone and occasional admin.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
CancerCare has a wonderful calm, caring and supportive atmosphere and I’m incredibly proud to be part of the volunteer team and I know our time and commitment is very much valued by the charity.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
There are so many volunteering opportunities with CancerCare. If you fancy doing something really rewarding within your community do get in touch. You won’t regret it!
Why did you decide to become a volunteer at CancerCare?
It was important for me to ‘give something back’ as CancerCare was such a huge support when my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer and their support continued after he died.
What does your role involve?
I currently volunteer on CancerCare reception every Wednesday afternoon. It’s a genuine pleasure to welcome clients and other centre users. Other duties involve answering the telephone and occasional admin.
What do you enjoy about volunteering at CancerCare?
CancerCare has a wonderful calm, caring and supportive atmosphere and I’m incredibly proud to be part of the volunteer team and I know our time and commitment is very much valued by the charity.
What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a volunteer?
There are so many volunteering opportunities with CancerCare. If you fancy doing something really rewarding within your community do get in touch. You won’t regret it!