Carlisle and Penrith teenagers can now volunteer at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice.

The change, announced during national Volunteers’ Week, means that 16 and 17-year-olds can now offer their time to assist the hospices' essential retail teams.

The opportunities include roles in the hospice's four charity shops across the two locations and potential participation in the retail team’s eBay operation.

The hospice has a diverse and dedicated volunteer base, now numbering over 220 people serving in various roles.

Volunteers support crucial tasks such as facilitating compassionate care for individuals with life-threatening illnesses and fundraising efforts in charity shops.

Maintaining the hospice's operations costs around £4.8 million each year, with only around 20 per cent funded by the NHS.

This extension of the volunteering age limit is a response to feedback and is aimed at enabling young community members to gain valuable skills and experience not previously available to them.

Alex Groves, the hospice’s business development manager, said: "Volunteers are an essential part of the hospice, and we depend heavily on their time, skills and dedication so that we can continue providing care to local adults and children.

"We have people of all ages who volunteer with their local hospice, but we’re excited to welcome more young people to the team, particularly to support our charity shops.

"Volunteering is a great way of meeting new people, gaining new skills and experience as well as giving back to an important local charity.

"If you, or someone you know is interested, please get in touch."

All new volunteers will be fully trained, and those overseeing the volunteers in the hospice shops are all DBS checked.

To express interest or to learn more, you can visit the Eden Valley Hospice website, or call the hospice on 01228 810801.