Job Overview
We are seeking passionate and compassionate Community Health Volunteers to be part of the Volunteering for Health £10 million national programme to show how volunteering can improve health and social care and support people in the community now and in the future. Volunteering for Health looks to link Community Health Volunteers with their local hospital sites, assist people in their hospital stay and with return to their home. The goal is to connect people waiting for discharge in hospitals and with their local communities. To help develop an environment for Community Health Volunteers to play an active role between the hospital setting integrating them into community organisations. This will make improvements to their support and enhance their overall wellbeing, building stronger, better communities.
Responsibilities
Community Health Volunteers will be working with people while in hospital and continuing to work with them during their recovery for up to 6-8 weeks.
Due to the flexible nature of the role, Community Health Volunteers may be asked to help in a range of ways. These could include:
* Assist in the planning and execution of community projects and events.
* Talking to/befriending patients in a ward.
* Providing social activities and interaction for patients within a ward.
* Having a cuppa and a chat with people on the ward.
* Accompanying patients for a walk outside or around the hospital site.
* Helping to make a home ready for someone leaving hospital.
* Supporting with shopping or medicine collections during someone's recovery time at home.
* Accompanying people to community groups or activities to help with anxiety and confidence building.
* This could include new ideas or activities that a Community Health Volunteer wants to bring to the role.
Time Commitment
An estimated minimum time commitment of around 2 hours per week is expected. This is a flexible role, which can allow for the time commitment to be shaped around the individual needs being supported and the availability of Community Health Volunteers.
Requirements
No prior experience of health care and patient support is necessary as full training will be provided.
Volunteers should:
* This could include new ideas or activities that a volunteer wants to bring to the role.
* Be able to communicate well with other people.
* Be caring and compassionate.
* Be non-judgmental of others.
* Be able to understand and maintain confidentiality.
* Be able to comply with volunteering policies in every aspect of the role.
* Be flexible in your approach to supporting individuals with varying needs.
* Volunteers will be required to provide two references, and we will need to complete a DBS check for this role.
Support for Volunteers
All Community Health Volunteers will receive the relevant induction and training.
Expenses
Community Health Volunteers will be reimbursed any expenses for travel requirements for any activities that are carried out as part of their Volunteering for Health role.
Wellbeing
Staff will be fully supported and will complete follow-up calls with Community Health volunteers to ensure that you are safe and happy with the arrangements for their role and that they are comfortable with the work that they are being asked to undertake.
Should any Community Health Volunteers feel they need support through counselling or wellbeing sessions from a qualified professional, Community Health Volunteers are able to access free support through the Care Coins scheme ()
If you have any concerns that need reporting, please follow the processes outlined in the volunteering policy.
Training
Training will be made available to all Community Health Volunteers, through the NHS e-learning portal (https://portal.e-) and with the Cornwall VSF Learning Academy ).
Should any volunteer feel they need support through counselling or wellbeing sessions from a qualified professional, volunteers are able to access free support through the Care Coins scheme ()
If you have any concerns that need reporting, please follow the processes outlined in the volunteering policy.
Essential Training
Due to the nature of the role and the vulnerability of the people that Community Health Volunteers will be supporting, there will be some training that volunteers will need to complete before they can begin their roles. This training includes subjects such as:
* Safeguarding
* Data Protection
* Setting Boundaries
* Additional Training Offer
In addition to the mandatory training, some Community Health Volunteers may also be interested in other training to enhance their skills. For example:
* Additional Training Offer
* Mental Health Awareness
* Mental Health First Aid
Information, Advice & Guidance
Through the Volunteering for Health programme, we are also able to offer funded places on accredited courses that align with the activities that volunteers will be performing.
Lone Working
Due to the nature of this role, there are occasions when Community Health Volunteers will be working alone, sometimes in people's homes and in rural areas. Given some forethought and a few simple precautions, the risks can be reduced to a minimum.
Community Health Volunteers will be expected to follow the Lone Working policy.
Volunteers Benefits
By signing up as a Volunteering for Health volunteer, you will gain the following benefits:
* Enhanced CV.
* Access potential NHS career pathways.
* Learn new skills.
* Meet new people.
* Build confidence and self-esteem.
* Give back to your local community.
* Opportunity to help co-design the future of the Volunteering for Health programme.
Contact
If you are interested in this role and have any questions or concerns about the volunteering role, please contact a member of the Volunteering for Health team:
Email:
Telephone:
Job Type: Volunteer
Work Location: In person