{
  "abstract": "Background Our hospice currently maintains a full complement of nursing and healthcare staff. However, we recognise that increasing demand for nursing staff necessitates a long-term strategic approach to sustain our services. Volunteers are acknowledged as a valuable component of this strategy.Aim The objective is to develop a diverse and representative workforce. We have initiated this process by establishing a career progression pathway from healthcare assistant to advanced nurse practitioner. To meet future demands, further expansion is required. According to a Helpforce report, 55% of volunteers secure employment or further education after participating in the Volunteer to Career programme TM, and 92% maintain or increase their interest in healthcare. The Volunteer to Career programme offers a unique opportunity to engage individuals through volunteering, reach potential recruits, support their training and qualifications, and create career pathways.Method We implemented the Volunteer to Career programme with two cohorts of five volunteers each. They attended an eight-week programme focusing on two main areas: the inpatient unit and the wellbeing team. This structure allowed volunteers to spend quality time in each department, gaining comprehensive information and experiences related to career pathways and palliative and end-of-life care.Results From cohort one, two volunteers are progressing to further education to pursue careers in healthcare, two have successfully applied for jobs, and one is commencing training later this year. Cohort two is due to start in June.Conclusion The inclusion of volunteers has positively impacted the services offered at our hospice. Additionally, the programme has fostered a sense of community and collaboration, enhanced the quality of patient care, and provided valuable insights into the needs and aspirations of potential future healthcare professionals. The success of this initiative underscores the importance of integrating volunteer programmes into strategic workforce planning (Siqueira, Torsani, Gameiro, et al. BMC Med Educ. 2022 Feb 19;22(1):111; Strkljevic, Tiedemann, Souza de Oliveira, et al. Front Med. 2024 Apr 26;11:1368661).This project was funded by a grant from the Rank Foundation managed by Hospice UK.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "St Michael’s Hospice, St Leonard’s on Sea, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Clair Bexhall"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P-232 Volunteer to career",
  "uid": "5b307367-5f71-596d-aac5-0628c1c2c471"
}