I used to work for the local hospice, as a therapist. Originally I approached them, wanting a paid job, but there was already someone there doing it voluntarily. So I joined them. After a few months I left, having realised that this wasn't leading to anything. But I did love working on the wards, so a few years later I went back, again in a voluntary capacity. After a while I was put "on bank", i.e. called on as and when needed, and paid. This could be one day a week but was usually three. Very similar to zero hours contracts. Earlier this year I was told there was no more money left in the budget, thank you and goodbye. Doctors were prescribing Reiki and it was valued by the patients and nursing staff.
I always thought there were two types of volunteers - the ones who want to give something back to the community and would look after the flowers, for instance, and those who have a skill which I think should be paid for.
I was approached by another hospice but after a couple of interviews learned that the matron insisted on all therapists volunteering for an unspecified length of time before being paid. Those volunteers were also expected to fork out for membership of two organisations (a couple of hundred pounds) and buy their own uniform.
I decided against it.