Lee is a Macmillan volunteer. He is volunteering in a chemotherapy ward at a hospital. Lee is sitting in a yellow chair and speaking to someone next to him who is sat in a blue chair.

Support for our partners

Volunteers play a vital role in helping Macmillan and our partners be there for people living with cancer. Explore how Macmillan supports partner organisations to involve volunteers well, build confidence and create strong support in their communities.

Who we are and how we support partners

Our Volunteering Partnerships Capacity Building Team (VPCBT) supports our partner organisations to involve volunteers safely, confidently and effectively in services for people living with cancer.

We support partner organisations in different ways, depending on their needs and the type of volunteering they are developing. This may include:

  • practical tools and templates
  • guidance on recruiting volunteers
  • learning and development opportunities
  • quality improvement support
  • connections with other partners, services and networks.

Cancer Confident Volunteering

Many organisations we work with already involve volunteers or are looking to do so. Some tell us they’re unsure how to prepare volunteers to support people affected by cancer, or how to welcome volunteers who may have their own cancer experience.

We also hear from people affected by cancer who want to volunteer. Many are motivated to use their own experience to help others or raise awareness but sometimes face barriers when trying to get involved.

Cancer Confident Volunteering helps organisations feel more confident recruiting and supporting volunteers involved in cancer-related services. It also supports organisations to welcome and support volunteers with their own lived experience of cancer.

The guide brings together practical guidance and resources to help organisations prepare volunteers, support cancer-related conversations, think about boundaries and create a supportive volunteering environment.

View the Cancer Confident Volunteering Guide

Templates and tools

Corporate volunteering

Corporate volunteering can help connect business partners with community needs, create opportunities for employees to give time, and support local activity for people living with cancer.

Find out more about corporate volunteering with Macmillan.

Contact our team

Contact the Volunteering Partnerships Capacity Building Team at volunteeringhelp@macmillan.org.uk.

Other support

Depending on your organisation and role, you may also want to explore wider Macmillan support membership and partner networks. These routes can help partners access learning, updates, resources and opportunities to connect with others.

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Find cancer support near you
If you are looking for local cancer support, you can search by postcode to find services in your area, including Macmillan services and wider local support options where available.
Four people sit around a small round table in a room, three in uniforms and one in casual clothing. One person uses a laptop while green Macmillan Cancer Support boards with posters and leaflets are visible in the background.Four people sit around a small round table in a room, three in uniforms and one in casual clothing. One person uses a laptop while green Macmillan Cancer Support boards with posters and leaflets are visible in the background.
Macmillan Funding Grants for professionals and community groups
Discover what funding is available for healthcare professionals, system partners and community groups, who can apply, and how to get started.
A Macmillan volunteer is cheering at the London Marathon. They have both arms in the air and are holding Macmillan branded balloons. They are wearing a long dark blue top and a Macmillan branded vest on top of it. The volunteer also has on a headscarf and sunglasses. There are other people cheering near them at the event.A Macmillan volunteer is cheering at the London Marathon. They have both arms in the air and are holding Macmillan branded balloons. They are wearing a long dark blue top and a Macmillan branded vest on top of it. The volunteer also has on a headscarf and sunglasses. There are other people cheering near them at the event.
Find a volunteering role
If you already know the type of role you’re looking for, or are looking to get started straight away, then you can search for a role in you area.