Driving Volunteers

We are looking for volunteers to provide transport to patients and carers to and from the hospice allowing attendance to therapy appointments for patients who could not otherwise access them. Volunteers will use their own vehicles to transport patients. 

 

Location: Eastbourne and travelling within St Wilfrid’s catchment area

Suggested Time Commitment:  Potential for at least one return journey from patient home to hospice per week (approx. up to four hours) for a 6 week period.

 

Tasks include:

  • To transport patients to and from the hospice in a safe and appropriate manner at agreed times
  • Guiding patients and carers into and out of vehicles in a safe and courteous manner
  • Ensuring that passengers are secure in the vehicle for every journey
  • Communication with Therapies Team to determine your availability and timings of transport
  • Chatting with patients and carers in a friendly and approachable manner as appropriate whilst transporting them 
  • Confirming with the hospice once patient and /or carer have been safely delivered to their home
  • Relaying any information or concerns about patients and/carers to the Therapies Team

 

You will need….

  • Strong communication and listening skills
  • Patience and the ability to empathise with your passengers whilst retaining professional boundaries
  • Reliability and good time keeping skills to ensure patients and carers attend appointments at the hospice punctually
  • An insight into the issues relating to death and the dying, bereavement and grief
  • Good teamworking skills as you will be part of a larger interdisciplinary team
  • Great organisation skills and the ability to plan journeys
  • Ability to follow location directions – to use Google maps, or Sat Nav or follow a map
  • Your own vehicle
  • To ensure all necessary documents are kept up-to-date including insurance, MOT and driving license details and to inform Volunteer Engagement Team of any changes to your circumstances (such as accrual of penalty points, disqualification from driving or change of vehicle)
  • Insurance policy that includes driving as a volunteer
  • To hold a full driver’s license with a minimum of 3 years driving experience
  • To complete a short driving assessment
  • Discretion and tact and awareness of the confidential nature of volunteering with patients and carers
  • An ability to lone work
  • To wear a name badge when you are volunteering
  • To comply with the relevant policies and procedures of St Wilfrid’s Hospice

 

This role will not include:

  • Transporting patients using portable oxygen
  • Providing an transport to patients and/or carers not arranged by St Wilfrid’s Hospice
  • Transporting children (under 18) or pets
  • Accepting payment or gifts for services

 

Training and support:

  • Full role specific training
  • Organisational induction training including an Information Session at the hospice
  • Ongoing support from Volunteer Manager and the Volunteer Engagement Team

Disclosure and Barring (DBS) Check:       Enhanced DBS with Adult Barring

This post involves working in Regulated Activity under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and is subject to an enhanced DBS with Adult Barred list check.

It is a criminal offence to apply for or accept a position working with adults at risk if you have been barred from engaging in regulated activity with the relevant group (ie adults).

 

This role description is not meant to be exhaustive and will be regularly reviewed.