Ward Support Volunteer - Alder General Rehab Ward, Norwich Community Hospital

The Role

As a Ward Support volunteer you will engage with patients at Alder Ward at Norwich Community Hospital, offering companionship, gathering patient experience information, and providing basic practical support to clinical staff. You will provide varied support depending on the needs of the team and patients.

Volunteering for this role involves an ongoing commitment of approximately 2-3 hours a week. Please note that this opportunity is currently available for volunteers aged 18 years and over.

Activities undertaken by volunteers will not be used as a substitution for that of paid staff. Volunteers will not be asked to help in ways which facilitate a decrease in paid employment. The work of volunteers will always be to complement and not supplement that of paid employees of the Trust.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities may vary from session to session and any variations will be discussed with you as needed, but they are likely to include:

1. Providing companionship to patients
2. Supporting patients with activities such as reading, colouring in, crosswords or crafts.
3. Gathering patient feedback information
4. Providing practical support such as answering call bells
5. Helping patients to arrange and receive visits (real and virtual)
6. Handing out mealtime menus and taking patients orders
7. Reporting any concerns you have about individual patients to the Volunteer Champion

Registration and Training

You will need to undertake a Standard DBS check and provide two appropriate character references.

You will need to complete our volunteer recruitment, including our Volunteers’ Induction training. This will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to Voluntary Norfolk and NCH&C NHS Trust; key subjects which are relevant to all volunteering roles, and practical matters such as how to log your hours and how to claim expenses. 

Refresher training sessions will be required throughout your time as a volunteer.

Volunteer Profile

As a Ward Support Volunteer you will be friendly, compassionate, and enthusiastic about supporting the clinical team and the patients they support in the community.

In addition you will have/be:

1. A good command of verbal and written English
2. A commitment to undertake training appropriate to the role
3. A good understanding of the importance of confidentiality
4. Good communication and interpersonal skills
5. Good administrative skills
6. A good understanding and demonstration of customer service standards
7. A good telephone manner
8. The ability to work independently
9. A flexible approach and attitude
10. A Responsible, mature, honest
11. Non-judgemental with a sympathetic nature
12. Willing to treat all patients, relatives, visitors, staff and other volunteers with consideration, politeness, dignity and respect
13. Able to work within the guidelines
14. Able to accept appropriate supervision and guidance from staff

Support

You will be supported by your Volunteer Champion at your place of volunteering, they will be your main point of contact and your local Volunteer Coordinator. Your coordinator will support you through your induction and provide ongoing support throughout your time as a volunteer. You will be invited to attend regular social gatherings for volunteers, which will give you an opportunity to meet other volunteers and learn about the work of the Trust. 

All reasonable out of pocket travel expenses will be reimbursed.