Volunteering at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse is a highly rewarding experience, that expands skills and experience, creates an opportunity to engage with the community and is integral to the work we do. As a volunteer you will work side-by-side with staff to provide support to our patients, caregivers, their family and friends by providing comfort, hope, support and referral to hospital resources.
Our volunteers work across all areas of the hospital. You might be assisting staff with administrative tasks in HR, finance, communications and fundraising or welcoming patients and visitors to Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, giving directions and assisting patients to appointments, art and music in health, pet therapy, transport, providing refreshments or being a shoulder of support during an emotional and, at times, uncertain journey. Some roles require regular set hours where others provide flexibility. Event volunteer roles are available at different times throughout the year on weekends or after hours.
We’ll work with you to match your skills and preferences to the volunteer role that best suits.
Given the extensive training provided by Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, we ask that our volunteers commit to a minimum of 12 months.
To be considered as a volunteer at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse you must be over 18.
Arterie, event and community fundraising volunteers require a different onboarding procedure to below. Scroll down for more information.
STEP 1. Submit your application form for specific role (listed on website)
STEP 2. Attend an introductory session
Volunteer Introductory Session
Volunteer information sessions are conducted with the Volunteer Manager. This session provides detailed information about the volunteer program, current volunteer opportunities, and the necessary requirements (as above) to volunteer at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, they provide an opportunity to ask questions, and meet staff and other volunteers.
Those that attend a session will be able to apply for a specific role and secure a spot in our onboarding and training program.
STEP 3.
You will also be required to read and sign the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse volunteer policy and the values and behaviours document.
Step 4. National Police Check
All volunteers will be subject to a National Police Check. We will undertake this process for you and all information is confidential.
STEP 5. Working with Children Check
All volunteers will need to apply for a Working with Children check. You’ll find the form here: Apply for a Working with Children Check. Once your Working with Children check is completed, please submit it to the Volunteer Support Services Manager. The process is confidential. If you have a current authority number, please submit with your application form at the information session.
STEP 6.
Due to the NSW Health Policy to protect patients, staff and the wider community from vaccine preventable diseases, you will need to provide documentary evidence of vaccination or evidence that you are not susceptible to the following vaccine preventable diseases before commencing as a volunteer (event volunteers not on site may not require immunisation)
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough) including booster
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Influenza (Flu)
- Engerix-B (Hepatitis B)
- COVID-19
We are unable to provide the vaccinations or cover any associated costs.
STEP 7. Orientation and Training Program
Everyone must undertake the orientation and training program.
Site Orientation. This will include, meeting Gail O’Brien, our CEO and Executive Team, a tour of the hospital and information sessions on emergency procedures, safety and wellbeing.
Art in Health Workshop. Attend an Arterie workshop and participate in the weekly activity. This is an opportunity to get detailed information about our patient support programs plus interact with patients, staff and other volunteers. No art experience is necessary.
Ward and Day Therapy Orientation. You will spend the day with another volunteer, meeting and supporting staff and patients in our wards and Day Therapy. Volunteer Drivers, will go for a ride-along in our patient transport bus after this session (approx. 1 hour).
STEP 8.
To remain up-to-date and meet regulatory requirements, you will need to complete the Fire and Evacuation training module (annual requirement). This course is online, which can be done in your home or at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. You cannot be assigned your first volunteer shift until the training has been completed.
Once the steps above are complete, your manager will organise you shift and a start date with you.
Current Opportunity
Consumer in Research volunteer
Consumer research volunteers make valuable contributions beyond the role of research participants. Their involvement with researchers can improve the quality, impact, and relevance of the research. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care defines consumers as members of the public who use or are potential users of health care services – patients, consumers, families, carers, and other support people.
For more information about the role of consumers in cancer research visit the Cancer Australia Consumer Engagement website.
Potential areas of consumer involvement in research include contributing to:
- Design of research protocols
- Evaluating research proposals
- Implementing research outcomes
- Research Grant applications
- Researcher events such as Concept Development Workshops
- Research grant review panels
Click here for Consumer in Research Volunteer – Information and Application Form. Save the form to your computer to fill out and email it to tania.dawson@lh.org.au.
Please check back here soon for volunteer opportunities in 2025.
Volunteer at Home
We also offer flexible, remote volunteer opportunities, with most roles only requiring a commitment of one hour per week! You can make a positive difference to one of our patients and their families from the comfort of your home.
Project Knitwell
If you enjoy knitting, why not brighten a patient’s day with a handmade gift. 
Since the beginning, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse have given patients a colourful hand-knitted blanket or beanie made by one of our community volunteers. These handcrafted gifts are an important part of providing warmth, comfort and care to our patients during a difficult time and at a time of need.
We welcome knee rugs, blankets, beanies and scarves in all sizes, colours and patterns for our patients. We recommend using pure wool or cotton, either 8ply or 12ply is most suitable.
Delivery
Please deliver your items to the main reception on the ground floor or send to the hospital c/o the Volunteer Manager. Please, include your details so that your gift can be acknowledged. These handcrafted gifts are much appreciated by our patients.
If you wish to donate wool or knitting needles, please leave these at the main reception or send them to the hospital c/o the Volunteer Manager.
Knitting in Hospital
Project Knitwell volunteers can teach patients and family members to knit, individually or in a group. We work in various areas of the hospital and provide knitting instructions for patients, families and staff. We provide participants with a complimentary beginner’s kit, which includes yarn, needles and a Knitting Resource Guide. We offer ongoing instruction, and once knitters are comfortable with basic skills, we give them knitting kits and additional material to make simple items like beanies, scarves, blankets, and more.
Click here to check if there are vacancies in our Knitwell Volunteer at the Hospital Program– takes you to volunteer opportunities page.
Material Drain Bags
If sewing is your passion, you can use your talent to help a patient during a challenging time.
Certain procedures may require patients to still have their drains post-surgery for a couple of days or a couple of weeks. Drains can be uncomfortable and embarrassing for many patients. Providing a soft fabric bag to hold them is convenient and allows the patient to get about without too much interference.
Delivery
Please deliver your completed bags to the main reception on the ground floor or send them to the hospital c/o the Volunteer Manager. Please, include your details so that your gift can be acknowledged. These handcrafted gifts are much appreciated by our patients.
If you wish to donate fabric, you can leave it at main reception or send it to the hospital c/o the Volunteer Manager.
Click here for Material Bag Pattern
Plant Project
If you have green fingers, please consider joining our mini-plant team of volunteers. 
Our volunteers grow mini-plants that we can give to our patients as they complete their treatment. Each plant is accompanied by a small card with this message: “Please accept this gift as a small token of your courage and strength over the course of your treatment. It has been a privilege to care for you.” If you would like to contribute to this project by growing some mini plants (succulents are very popular) and putting them in some cute pots we’ll gladly accept them anytime of the year.
Delivery
Please deliver to your potted mini-plants to the main reception on the ground floor, c/o the Volunteer Manager. Please include your details so that your gift can be acknowledged. These handcrafted gifts are much appreciated by our patients.
If you wish to donate mini pots, you can leave these at the main reception.
Click here to view Plant Project poster.
Community Fundraising
Click here to visit community fundraising site.
Thank you so much for your interest in volunteering with Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.
Next Volunteer Information Session
Date and time: to be announced
Register now to attend an information session.
Arterie Program
Arterie
Arterie is an innovative inter-disciplinary use of art in healthcare, designed to improve outcomes for Chris O’Brien Lifehouse patients, their families, friends and carers by easing the side effects of cancer and its treatment such as stress, pain, fatigue, isolation and depression. Arterie participates in a way that fits with the patient’s treatment – it is non-invasive, inclusive and supportive.
All Arterie team members are qualified practising artists with backgrounds in design, engineering, art education, nursing, counselling, architecture, art therapy and museum and gallery education. They are committed to enhancing the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse experience for those affected by cancer through a variety of art engagements.
Arterie provides training opportunities and professional placement in art and health practice for university and college students through internships and artist in residencies.
Carterie
Carterie is a mobile art studio that is delivered to treatment and waiting spaces, wards and clinics by trained ‘Carterists’. Our mobile carts contain art activities with all materials and instructions included, offering projects that cater for all types of patients. The activities are designed with health limitations in mind, such as neuropathy, fatigue and nausea. Finished projects are photographed and digitally displayed as a collaborative patient and staff public artwork.
Carterie takes place on Wednesdays and Thursdays in:
- Wards 9 and 8
- Day Therapy
- Day Surgery
- Clinics
- Foyer and LivingRoom
- Radiation Oncology
Workshop Program
We host open workshops in the ground floor foyer every Tuesday providing the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse community with the opportunity to drop in and work alongside the Arterie team. Each workshop focuses on a particular art movement and includes art education, art making, music, poetry and a recipe.
Self-Guided Art Tour
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse has a self-guided tour of artworks installed in the facility.
Artist in Residence (AIR) Program
This program gives the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse community the chance to engage with, and observe, a practicing professional artist. The artist works in a public space within the hospital to create pieces of art which are then loaned or donated to the hospital and put on display. By leaving a trace of their work and the themes embodied within it, we create an ongoing dialogue inside the hospital. The artist is highly visible and we encourage all visitors to stop and talk or observe, or even work alongside them.
Training + Education
The Arterie Intern Training Volunteer Program (Non-Accredited) Arts & Health Hospital Practices – Design & Delivery is for people who are interested in exploring the arts & health profession. Twelve-month placements are available via our intern program, with a minimum commitment of one-day a week. The training covers all three Arterie programs and includes project design and delivery, infection control, communication skills, display, budget and administration around arts & health policies and procedures. Applications will re-open September 2024 for a March 2025 commencement.
Expression of Interest – Intern Training Volunteer Program
Expression of Interest – Artist in Residence