Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Our ability to provide a comprehensive and individually targeted programme of activities and non-clinical support for our in-patients can be enhanced by volunteers. This is evidenced through self-governance evaluations and client feedback. Volunteers can assist the Occupational Therapy Team in providing therapeutic activities to in-patients under supervision.

• To provide specific (e.g. facilitation of music lessons) or general (e.g. available to take clients for walks, befriending) non – clinical support to in-patient clients on and off the wards at Dane Garth depending on skills and qualities of individual volunteer.
• All on ward activities will be pre-arranged and monitored by staff in line with client need on a daily or weekly basis. Level of supervision to be defined by ward staff in line with client need and volunteer experience. All activities will require a predetermined level of staff supervision.
• Off ward activities will be for in-patient clients with their own leave only, but who have requested informal support from a volunteer. In these instances a volunteer will have already established a relationship with the client on the unit.
• Volunteers to attend unit at pre-arranged times and report to reception where an appointed supervisory member of the OT team will meet them.
• All activities to be risk assessed by appropriate ward staff.

An Enhanced DBS with Adult Barring is required for this role. There is no charge to a volunteer for a DBS application.

Essential requirements for this role are:

• To follow instructions of OT staff as to activity to be facilitated and any relevant client information.
• Chat to people in groups or individually.
• Build relationships with clients, giving them confidence to make friends and join in.
• Encourage and help clients to take part in activities.
• Ensure service users are engaging with the activity safely, and alert supervising staff to any issues.
• Help staff to set up and clear down the room. Prepare equipment and materials in advance of the activity taking place.
• Feedback any relevant and appropriate information to staff at the end of the session or beforehand if necessary.
• Develop potential new activity ideas alongside staff members and service users.
• Volunteers with particular skills and interests may lead on small group activities such as crafts, book clubs etc.
• If the activity is one that involves a skill, having some degree of expertise in that skill would be of benefit.
• Good people skills are required as a lot of direct interaction will take place with the service users.
• Be able to manage individuals or groups of people undertaking an activity.
• Be enthusiastic about your chosen activity
• Be friendly and approachable – able to build a rapport with service users.

For this role applicants must be over the age of 18

To apply please click the link below

Apply here

Volunteering on a ward involves a long term commitment (for example 9 – 12 months), and to bring continuity and stability for patients and staff, we ask volunteer to support by doing the same periods each week, which are discussed and agreed by the volunteer and volunteer supervisor. This volunteer role is to support us on Ramsey Unit at Dane Garth.

Dining buddies are volunteers who provide extra support during mealtimes and help complete diet/fluid charts. The role supports people to maintain optimal health and wellbeing, nutrition and hydration. Befrienders can help patients feel content during their stay in hospital by spending time with them, maybe having a chat and a cup of tea/coffee or engaging in other social activities .

Duties  include:

•  Introduce yourself to the patients and discuss the menu relevant to that meal time.
• Assist with providing patients with their meals and ensure cutlery/napkins/specialist equipment is available.
• Support individuals who may need extra help, for example cutting up food, opening packets, spreading butter (etc). No direct feeding of patients is to take place.
• Encourage conversation during mealtime so it is a social occasion.
• Support other staff to clear away utensils between courses and at the end of the meal and clean the dining room area.
• Support completion of diet and fluid charts following meals.
• Complete fluid pushes and complete fluid charts accordingly.
• Establish and build befriending relationships with patients.
• Ensure appropriate boundaries are maintained.
• Spend time listening, talking and engaging in activities with the patients.

An Enhanced DBS with Adult Barring is required for this role and there is no charge to a volunteer for this.

Essential requirements for this role are:

• Good communication skills
• Able to utilise a PC, Telephone, photocopier
• Ability to follow instructions
• Willingness to help and support staff and patients 
• Demonstrates empathy and compassion
• Calm manner
• Comfortable working in a fast moving environment
• Comply with all Trust Policies and Procedures in relation to information governance and confidentially

For this role applicants must be over the age of 18

To apply please click the link below

Apply here