Overview
There are various volunteering opportunities available within North Ayrshire. Please browse the selection below to find a suitable volunteering opportunity in your local area.
The Ayrshire Hospice provides excellence in palliative and end of life care for patients and their families. We support people who are aged 16 years and over with a life-limiting diagnosis, including respiratory and heart diseases, neurological conditions, cancers and other illnesses. Our Family Care Team also supports children and young people and the wider family unit with counselling and bereavement services. Care is provided in a number of places including NHS Ayrshire and Arran hospitals, care homes and people’s own homes, as well as in our In-Patient Unit and Living Well Hubs. Family members, close friends and carers are supported during illness and bereavement.
The Role
This role is pivotal in supporting those living in our communities to live well with their illness. We currently do this in a variety of ways – face to face in our Hubs, online via Zoom, and via activity packs in the post. Volunteers provide the extra mile of support, effort and care and may participate in any or all formats. We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and walks of life and value the unique perspective you bring to our team.
Key Responsibilities
* Face-to-face volunteers: assist in setting up the hub (completing safety checklists, preparing environment including refreshments), meet and greet attendees, support activities (special skills such as art or music welcome), assist to close down the Hub, enable people to learn about technology and access online support, co-deliver activities with a Living Well team member (e.g., creative writing, book club, music, meditation, social chat).
* Online volunteers
* Postal pack volunteers (posted once a month) and
* Support administration tasks including monthly activity packs
All Volunteers
* Attend relevant training and team meetings
* Adhere to the relevant policies and procedures of the hospice
What You Will Gain
* The opportunity to use your existing skills to help others, and to learn and develop new ones.
* Support people and their carers to participate in activities that empower them to enjoy meaningful activities.
* Experience in the charity sector and the chance to take on new challenges and meet new people.
* The satisfaction of making a difference in your community.
* Training and support to carry out your role.
* Reimbursement of expenses in accordance with our volunteer expenses policy.
How to Apply
If you’re enthusiastic about volunteering and want to make a meaningful impact in your community, we’d love to hear from you. Please complete our enquiry form on the website, or call 01292 269200 to request a paper copy of the enquiry form. All successful applicants will be invited to a “get to know you” chat and training before appointment as an Ayrshire Hospice volunteer.
Experience required
The Ayrshire Hospice welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Experience is not essential, but ideally you should demonstrate:
* An understanding and commitment to the ethos of palliative care – nonjudgmental, accepting, patient, empathetic.
* Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to relate well to people using the service and hospice staff.
* A sensitive and calm approach to situations.
* Ability to be responsive to patient needs as they arise.
* Responsible and reliable.
* Relevant skills such as art, music, book club facilitation, meditation/relaxation (if applicable).
* Ability to keep up to date with hospice service provision developments.
* Willingness to uphold the values of the hospice.
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