Job Description
ABOUT THE ROLE
We’re looking for volunteers to support patients and families on the ward in our Glasgow Hospice by visiting with inpatients, providing companionship and emotional support and giving patients’ loved ones the chance to have a short break.
You will be spending time with patients alone, or with their loved ones, giving emotional support and a listening ear at what can be a very difficult time. You will also be supporting people by signposting them to other Marie Curie services and staff where relevant, or simply being there for someone who is affected by a terminal illness.
We know that small things can make a difference to our patients and families, and we’re looking for volunteers who can be part of a small and dedicated team who can help us enhance the support we offer by making someone’s day that bit brighter.
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING.
Your role will include some of, but may not be limited to, the following tasks:
- Spend time talking with patients, family, friends and carers, providing a listening ear.
- Allow family, friends or carers to have a short break while you spend time with their loved one.
- Signpost families, friends and carers to other services as appropriate.
- Support us with the evaluation of the service, including writing a brief report on each visit.
- Make our staff aware of any changes or significant happenings in connection with a patient or other person.
- Attend any training, support, development or supervision sessions as required.
- Represent the Companion Service positively to those you come into contact with.
- Carry out support sessions at the agreed times.
- Provide one-to-one companionship in line with agreed boundaries and procedures. E.g. offering a listening ear and emotional support, engaging in games or activities, signposting patients or families to other staff members where appropriate.
THE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE YOU WILL NEED.
- Friendly, sensitive and a good listener.
- Patience, empathy, self-awareness and emotional stability.
- Excellent listening skills and ability to build rapport with others.
- Commitment and reliability- able to keep appointments and volunteer for up to 3 hours a week.
- An understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
- Flexibility and sensitivity to the individual needs of the people you support.
- Mature perspective on life and death.
- Willingness to learn and to operate within the boundaries of the role.
- Respect for individuals, regardless of their race, gender, culture, religion, disability, sexual orientation and marital status.
WHAT YOU CAN GAIN FROM THIS OPPORTUNITY.
- Have a direct positive impact on the experience of people receiving care in our hospice.
- Be part of an innovative way of working and help us develop an exciting new project.
- An excellent opportunity to build on your skills in a charity environment
- An induction, training, support and supervision in your role
- Agreed reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
WHAT WE ASK OF YOU.
- To provide two references from non-family members and other relevant documents related to the role
- To keep to all the charity’s policies and guidelines
- To complete an induction and any training related to the role
- Complete mandatory training and role related renewals, as requested
Marie Curie is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of patients and their families and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Marie Curie will treat all volunteers fairly and with respect. We will not discriminate on the basis of disability, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, sex (i.e. gender), sexual orientation, religion or faith, or gender reassignment. We will not discriminate on the basis of age, unless the responsibilities of a role require us to do so in order to safeguard our volunteers and/or service users.
For more information or if you have any questions regarding this volunteer role, please contact the Volunteer Operations Centre on volunteering@mariecurie.org.uk…