Volunteering

Please see below the Expression of Interest form, once completed please send it to: esth.voluntary.services@nhs.net

After submitting the expression of interest, you will be invited to attend an informal interview, to discuss the volunteering roles you have shown an interest in.

If successful, you will be sent a link to our onboarding portal: the application form (including two referees); occupational health form and online mandatory training.

During the following seven days, a meeting will be arranged with the voluntary services manager to see your identification to enable a DBS to be processed.

Once we have received the references, occupational health clearance, DBS clearance and you have completed the mandatory training, you will be invited to come to the hospital to process your identification card, you will be shown to the area/ward where you will be volunteering, you will sign the volunteering agreement, and your start date will be chosen.

Expression of Interest form;  Expression of interest for Volunteering

 

Work Experience :

Volunteering is not the same as work experience or work placements; at our Trust we have a dedicated team who organise work experience please follow the link to the work experience page on our website:

https://www.epsom-sthelier.nhs.uk/work-experience

Key knowledge/skills/experience

·       Have a keen interest in Dementia and Frailty

·       Patience; caring and compassionate approach

·       Basic understanding of how to communicate with patients living with dementia –or cognitive impairment

·       A polite, friendly manner when dealing with people

·       Confidence in engaging a broad range of people in conversation

 

About this role: As a volunteer you will be playing a vital role in supporting patients with dementia and their families to ensure they have the best possible experience in the hospital.

In this role you will be supporting Dementia Champions and the Clinical Practise Team to provide high quality care for all patients living with dementia. You will spend time with patients on a one-to-one basis providing them with company and engaging in conversation and activities which are best tailored to their abilities and interests as directed by the Dementia Specialist Team. With your help, the wellbeing of the patients can significantly improve, and you will be helping to prevent functional decline.

The skills and knowledge that you will bring will help to reassure the family members that their loved ones will receive the highest quality of care that is personalised to them.

Core tasks (under guidance of Nurse in Charge)

·       Spend time with patients on a one-to-one basis, providing them with company and engaging them in conversation and activities as directed by the Dementia Specialist Team

·       Any other tasks identified as suitable/appropriate by the Dementia Specialist Team.

 

Key knowledge/skills/experience

• Appreciation of equality and diversity and the need to treat each patient with respect
• To have Patience and a caring and compassionate approach
• A polite, friendly manner when dealing with people
• Professionalism and emotional maturity
• Strong communication and customer care skills

About this role: As a volunteer you will be providing both the practical and emotional support to patients while they are being assessed in the emergency department.

You will play a vital role in providing support to Emergency Department staff to ensure a comfortable environment is provided for all patients and visitors.

Core tasks (under guidance of Nurse in Charge)

·       Helping patients to understand how the department works

·       Spending time with patients who are on their own

·       Serving refreshments where appropriate

·       Greet and signpost visitors to the relevant area or member of staff

·       Helping patients contact relatives/friends/carers and explaining how they can get to the Emergency Department

·       Assist patients and visitors with completion of the Friends and Family Test

·       Ensure that all information on display is current and relevant

·       Replenish where appropriate; gloves, aprons, blankets etc

·       Develop an awareness of hospital layout

·       Helping to keep the waiting areas always tidy

 

 

 

 

Key knowledge/skills/experience 

·       To have a military or armed forces background

·       A patient, caring approach

·       A polite, friendly manner when dealing with people

·       Strong communication and customer care skills

 

About this role: As a volunteer you will be playing a key role in enhancing the experience of the patient, their family and carers who are from a forces background, befriending and supporting them with attendance at appointments, chaperoning them to and from transport and supporting them to collect their medication whilst in outpatient areas especially if they are unaccompanied or do not have visitors. This could take place in hospital wards or emergency departments.

 

 

Core tasks

·       Visit our inpatient/outpatient areas wearing the veteran volunteer uniform to provide visibility of the service, to identify and engage with patients from a forces background.

·       Be open to referrals, where patients have self-identified, or when staff have made a referral for a veteran’s volunteer visit.

·       Act as a befriender for patients and provide information of other services available including the chapel, our community befriending service or buddy scheme.

·       To utilise iPads and provide information to the patients about external support networks

·       Offer signposting, access to information and support where appropriate

·       Assist the voluntary services team with training, events and other tasks aimed at promoting the service.

·       To act as an ambassador of the service and committed to supporting the Trusts to exceed the obligations set out in the Armed Forces Covenant

 

Key knowledge/skills/experience 

·       Patience; caring and compassionate approach

·       A polite, friendly manner when dealing with people

·       Appreciation of equality and diversity and the need to treat each patient with respect

·       Ability to work as part of a team

·       Strong communication and customer care skills

 

About this role: As a volunteer you will be providing support and assistance to patients who need help to eat and enjoy their meal, specialist training is required from the SALT team for feeding patients.

In this role you will be encouraging and providing companionship to patients at mealtimes to ensure they receive adequate nutritional input.

You will be assisting with helping patients to choose what they would like to eat and complete their daily menu and assist with serving meals and refreshments where it is appropriate to do so.

Core tasks (under guidance of nursing staff)

·       Encouraging patients to follow hand hygiene protocol (wipes)

·       Help patients at mealtimes by feeding them following instruction from SALT team and ward nurses, and to ensure the patient can reach and lift their drink.

·       Be aware of and act on the coloured diet/fluid signs above patients’ beds, which identify any Speech and Language Therapy recommendations for the patient and raise concerns if this is not being followed

·       Assist with clearing patient table/bed area after meals have been finished

·       Develop an awareness of individual patient’s needs and preferences, always remaining considerate and respectful.

 

Key knowledge/skills/experience

·       Patience, caring and compassionate approach

·       A polite, friendly manner when dealing with people

·       Strong communication and customer service skills

·       Willingness to develop an awareness of the layout of and services offered by the hospital.

About this role: As a volunteer you will be helping patients, visitors and staff to navigate the hospital, helping patients to ensure they reach their appointments on time. You will also be helping to improve the patience experience by providing a friendly warm welcome to patients and visitors.

Core Tasks:

·       Greet all visitors to the hospital in a polite and friendly manner

·       Signpost patients and/or visitors to the relevant area or member of staff

·       Where appropriate, escort patients and/or visitors to the relevant department

·       Engage with patients and/or visitors around the hospital (e.g. by saying ‘hello’, or asking ‘may I offer you any assistance?’, ‘are you okay there?’)

·       Be aware of patients and/or visitors who appear to be lost or confused, approaching them to offer help in finding their way

·       Develop an awareness of information and services available in the hospital to effectively signpost patients and/or visitors

·       Report any issues with signage and/or information to the Voluntary Services Department Manager.

·       Assist in the evacuation of patients and visitors in the event of a Fire Emergency

Key knowledge/skills/experience

·       Patience, caring and compassionate approach

·       A polite, friendly manner when dealing with people

·       Strong communication and customer service skills

·       Willingness to develop an awareness of the layout of and services offered by the hospital.

About this role: As a volunteer you will be greeting patients, visitors and staff in a friendly, positive and welcoming manner. You will also be helping patients attending hospital appointments and signpost patients and visitors to the relevant department.

Core tasks

·       Engage with patients and/or visitors with patience and respect

·       Signpost patients and/or visitors to the relevant area or member of staff

·       Telephone outpatient departments for them to find where the Patient’s appointment is located

·       Signpost deliveries to the relevant areas

·       Telephone taxis for patients and visitors

·       Telephone the Facilities helpdesk to arrange a porter for patients and visitors needing wheelchair assistance

·       Telephone the Facilities helpdesk for cleaners/rapid response when needed

·       Telephone the emergency help line in the event of an incident

·       If a patient and/or visitor has an enquiry, signpost them to the relevant information and/or department

·       Develop an awareness of information and services available in the hospital

·       Report any issues with signage and/or information

Key knowledge/skills/experience

·       Patience; caring and compassionate approach

·       A polite, friendly manner when dealing with people

·       Confidence in engaging a broad range of people in conversation

·       Appreciation of equality and diversity and the need to treat each patient with respect and dignity

 

About this role: As a volunteer you will be providing vital support to ward staff in providing the highest quality of care for all patients.

You will be contributing to the positive patient experience for all through assisting staff, patients and visitors while also keeping nonclinical areas of the ward tidy ensuring staff have what they need to hand.

Core tasks (under guidance of Nurse in Charge)

·       Engaging patients in conversation, ensuring they have access to their buzzer and, if appropriate, fresh water

·       Assist HCA with making-up beds

·       Tidy the store and linen cupboards

·       Re stock gloves, aprons and wipes

·       Assist with serving meals and refreshments to patients

·       Ensure that all information on display is current and relevant

·       Develop an awareness of hospital layout

·       Contribute to providing a welcoming and professional environment by helping to always keep the ward tidy

·       Assist with completion of Friends and Family survey

·       Facilitate Virtual Visiting requests

 

 

Key knowledge/skills/experience

·       A keen interest in singing, playing an instrument, board games or arts and crafts

·       Patience. caring and compassionate approach

·       A polite, friendly manner when dealing with people

·       Confidence in engaging a broad range of people in conversation and activities

About the role: As a volunteer you will be engaging patients by either singing, playing an instrument, encouraging patients to participate in board games, arts and crafts, and activities organised by the ward activities coordinator or Molly Simpson – Epsom ad St Helier Charity lead.

Core tasks (under guidance of ward coordinator or Charity Lead)

·       If singing or playing an instrument, encourage requests to involve patients

·       Spend time with patients either on a one-to-one basis or as a group activity

·       Be aware of and sensitive to each patients needs and or/preferences.

·       Provide encouragement to participate in activities.

Gardening Volunteer

Key knowledge/skills/experience

·       A basic understanding of garden maintenance

·       A polite, friendly manner when dealing with people

·       Confidence in engaging a broad range of people in conversation

·       Appreciation of equality and diversity and the need to treat each patient with respect and dignity

 

About this role: As a volunteer you will help with a wide range of tasks which will include weeding, pruning and planting. This role will help to ensure the smooth running of the hospital’s planted communal areas for both patients and staff. This role is suitable to volunteers who are green fingered, have a good understanding of plant identification, understand the changing seasons and have a passion for plants and being close to nature.

Core Tasks:

·       Weeding

·       Watering

·       Planting flowers

·       Pruning hedges

·       Sweeping path areas

·       Keeping the garden and the shed neat and tidy

 

Key knowledge/skills/experience

·       Patience; caring and compassionate approach

·       A polite, friendly manner when dealing with people

·       Confidence in engaging a broad range of people in conversation

·       Appreciation of equality and diversity and the need to treat each patient with respect and dignity

 

About this role: As a volunteer you will support ward staff in providing high quality care for patients at the end of their lives.

You will be contributing to a positive experience for their patient and their family/ carers through spending time with the patient who is dying, with dignity, respect and empathy.

Core tasks (under guidance of Nurse in Charge)

·       Spend time with patients on a one-to-one basis, providing them with company and support during their final days or hours.

·       Be aware of and sensitive to each patients needs and or/preferences.

·       Provide refreshments for family and carers where appropriate.