In this volunteer role, you’ll provide a befriending service to inpatients at the hospice, this will include being a listening ear for patients, providing emotional support at times and reducing feelings of isolation.
Although you may only volunteer for a few hours a week, your support is invaluable and you’ll be making a difference to the patients, staff and visitors of Barnsley Hospice.
Please note: all applicants must be over 18 to volunteer at the hospice and retail hub.
This vacancy will be left open until we recruit sufficient volunteers for the role.
Overview
- Often patients affected by life-limiting illness are, or are in danger of becoming, lonely and/or isolated. This can be due to such things as reduced mobility, lack of confidence, bereavement, etc. Social distancing is likely to compound these feelings. Volunteer befriending can help to create new friendships, that help to keep people connected.
Main responsibilities of the role
- Our volunteer Befrienders will work with adult patients, with a variety of experiences, interests, preferences and befriending needs.
- Work independently as directed by the Ward Manager exercising judgement, and providing any feedback to the Inpatient Unit multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
- Ensure all possible steps are taken to safeguard the welfare, safety and security of patients, visitors, and staff in accordance with Hospice policies.
- Always promote and demonstrate effective communication with patients, carers, and colleagues. Recognise the need for confidentiality.
- Report any untoward incidents to the Nurse in Charge.
- Promote dignity, respect, and comfort whilst acknowledging the diverse needs of patients and their relatives.
- Treat all patients, relatives, and colleagues with respect in accordance with Hospice values and policies.
- Actively engage in good team working to facilitate effective relationships with all health care professionals.
What are we looking for?
Essential
- Good verbal communication skills
- Good listening skills
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish relationships
- Compassionate
- A desire to support patients
- Courteous, respectful and helpful at all times
- Positive and caring attitude
- Enthusiastic
- Passionate about delivering safe care
- Reliable
- Trustworthy
- Adaptable
- Committed to the work of Barnsley Hospice
- Professional, friendly and approachable
- Compassionate and authentic
- Honest and trustworthy
- Well-organised with a structured approach to work
- Proactive approach with the ability to take the initiative
- Reliable and able to follow instructions
Desirable
- Experience of working in a caring environment
- Knowledge of a hospice setting
We will require you to provide us with
- A completed volunteer application form.
- Please send your completed application form to volunteering@barnsley-hospice.org or post it to Sarah Hodgson – Volunteer Coordinator, Barnsley Hospice, 104-106 Church Street, Gawber, Barnsley, S75 2RL. You can also drop your completed application form in our main reception.
- You will need to provide two references and the role is subject to a DBS check and Occupational Health Assessment.
About us
Barnsley Hospice is a charity that provides specialist palliative and end of life care to hundreds of local people and those close to them each year. Our main priority is to achieve the best possible quality of life for people living with a life-limiting illness, whilst supporting those close to them during the period of illness and bereavement. As a specialist care provider, the range of skills we offer include, pain and symptom management, emotional support and end of life care. The hospice currently employs about 100 people and has a team of volunteers, based both at the hospice and within our Retail Hub.
We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQIA+ candidates and candidates with disabilities because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Barnsley Hospice.
