Search

Search Results

**Dorset Healthcare Volunteer Hub*

Current Volunteering Opportunities

Fill in an application

Bournemouth & Christchurch Hospitals

Current Volunteering Opportunities

Patient Feeding (Mealtime Companions)

Mealtime Companions

We have volunteers helping in many different inpatient wards across the hospital. This role is to support our older person services wards at mealtimes with feeding, hydration and sharing information with the allocated nurse for the patients.

Our volunteers can provide an extra layer of practical support and help to ensure the wellbeing of all of our patients. Volunteers on OPS wards can be aged 16+.

As one of our valued mealtime companion volunteers, you will assist ward staff by providing refreshments to patients and relatives, spending time chatting with or befriending patients and ensuring their wellbeing.

You will help with many things and even the smallest thing can make a real difference, for example by ensuring patients can access the trust portable phones to speak to loved ones or by obtaining additional items such as pillows or extra blankets to ensure the patient's comfort and wellbeing during their stay.

This is a great role to give insight into a healthcare role and is very much valued by our patients and staff alike.

Requirements

This is an active role which aims to provide extra support to our patients and therefore you will need to be able to be mobile for the duration of your shift.

You will need to be interested in the wellbeing of our patients and able to contribute to patient care by helping and linking with others within the boundaries of our volunteer role.

Overall, you will have compassion and understanding and be able to demonstrate our Trust's Values in everything you do as a volunteer with us.

A full role-description is available on request.

Continue...
Fill in an application

Poole Hospital

Current Volunteering Opportunities

Ward-based Volunteers - Poole Hospital

 

 

Role Summary

 

 

  • To provide refreshments to patients and relatives after speaking to the Senior Nurse in Charge.  Noting ‘Nil by Mouth’ signs.  Must complete Food Hygiene training and attend yearly updates.
  • To wipe down trollies and chairs
  • To talk with patients liaising with the Nurse in charge
  • After appropriate wheelchair training, transporting patients if required
  • Food and Hydration rounds (see paragraph above)
  • Sourcing specialist meals for patients as necessary
  • Ensuring patients can access the trust portable phones to speak to loved ones
  • Checking and obtaining additional stock as required e.g., pillows, blankets 
  • Putting appropriate linen back on trollies as per local policy, e.g., canvas, draw sheet, pillow and blanket with folded property bag 
  • Tidy around patient areas, keeping clutter free and wipe down 
  • Reduce any hazards in the environment, ensuring equipment is returned to normal storage after use 
  • Checking for any lost property after patient leaves to be able to reunite promptly 
  • Offering to collect refreshments for staff if required
  • If mobile - to respond to needs of the trust by rapidly responding to the needs of other areas or wards.
  • If mobile to collect medicines from Pharmacy

 

Requirements

 

 

  • Able to stand and walk or be mobile for long periods of time
  • To use the correct procedure if reporting an emergency situation
  • Be interested in the wellbeing of the community
  • Be tactful and diplomatic
  • Enjoy helping and linking with others
  • Be able to work in a team
  • Be observant
  • Be discreet and maintain confidentiality
  • Have compassion and understanding
  • Be all encompassing and non-judgemental
  • Have a flexible approach
  • Be aware of an able to demonstrate the Trust Values

 

 

Continue...
Fill in an application