Volunteering

We are recruiting for mealtime assistant volunteers for the older persons unit at St Thomas hospital. Hours:  7.30- 8.30am and/or 5.30 – 6.30pm Monday – Friday  

Nutrition and hydration plays a key role in recovery and rehabilitation for all patients in hospital. Many older people are at a high risk of malnutrition and dehydration, which can significantly impact their health and wellbeing.

Mealtimes are important occasions for patients and having a good (or bad) experience can make a real difference to someone’s day. We know how important mealtimes are and we are always striving to improve the mealtime experience for our patients to ensure that every person is given the chance to maintain a good level of nutrition. Part of our commitment to good practice involves having volunteers to help on the wards at mealtimes. As a volunteer, you will be helping patients get back on their feet by assisting at mealtimes.

Patients will experience better mealtimes by:

• Having meals served while they are still nice and warm

• Not feeling rushed to eat and being able to finish their meals

• Feeling more comfortable and relaxed

• Receiving the encouragement and prompting needed to help them eat and drink more

• Having a companion to make their mealtime more sociable

• Receiving help in ordering meals or getting an alternative meal if they dislike their choice

• Having someone listen to problems and advocating on their behalf where additional support is needed

Volunteers will benefit by:

• Gaining a sense of reward knowing that they’re helping patients to get better, quicker

• Improving communication skills with patients, staff and relatives and developing empathy

• Learning about the different professionals that make up the multidisciplinary team

• Gaining valuable insight into clinical environments and how a hospital ward functions

 As a volunteer, you will work on a busy hospital ward independently but under the supervision of the nurse in charge. You will receive full training from the volunteer department and trust dietitians in what the role entails and how to protect yourself and your patients while assisting them to eat and drink.

You will support patients and the wider ward team by:

• Handing out meals and drinks

• Ensuring patients have the right meal

• Cutting up food into manageable pieces

• Opening packets and lids

• Setting up utensils

• Providing encouragement and support

• Helping patients with food choices and ordering

Where you feel comfortable to do so, you may also be asked to further assist non-complex patients who require physical support with eating and drinking. You will not be asked to assist anyone with more complex needs or problems with swallowing. By supporting those with other needs, you will ensure that the ward staff will have time to devote to patients who need more complex assistance.