Befriender Volunteer (Weston General Hospital)
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
Volunteers required to provide companionship and social interaction to patients of Weston General Hospital.
• Providing companionship and promoting social interaction with a range of people, including older patients, those with Dementia or cognitive impairment, or patients with a learning difficulty and/or Autism. • Providing social support by encouraging and connecting with patients, for instance, engaging in conversation, reading a newspaper together, playing cards or assisting with arts and crafts activities. • Signposting patients to appropriate support, where appropriate. • Providing a listening ear and reassurance to patients. • Volunteering alongside and engaging with a team of Health Care staff in your allocated area. • Completing the patients ‘All about me’ or ‘Health Passport’ document (where applicable).
Advice, Information & Support,Befriending, Buddying & Mentoring,General & Helping
Art & Craft
• A friendly and approachable manner. • Confidence to be able to volunteer on a ward alone. • Good social and communication skills, and proactive in approaching people. • Ability to engage in a range of activities such as simple board games/puzzles, finding music a patient would like to listen to, reading with a patient. • Being sensitive to peoples’ vulnerabilities. • Reliable and able to commit to weekly sessions at the same day and time each week. • An understanding of the impact dementia or cognitive impairment can have on a patient’s stay in hospital. • Ability to follow infection prevention and control standards in place (including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, PPE) in the hospitals, and tactfully and sensitively be able to encourage visitors to follow those same standards. • An understanding and ability to implement good personal and professional boundaries.
• Experience of the NHS, within a CQC awarded ‘Good Trust’. • Rewarding experience, helping to make a patient’s stay in hospital a bit easier. • Experience of the NHS at ward level. • Working as part of a team. • Training and full induction. • Volunteer uniform. • Access to NHS Discounts. • Reasonable travel expenses paid.
One session a week for a minimum of 6 months. 14:00-16:00 Monday - Friday
BS23 4TQ
Weston General Hospital Grange Road Weston Super Mare
Located on the outskirts of Weston-super-Mare near the village of Uphill. Positioned adjacent to the A370 Bridgwater Road going south out of Weston.
20
