Volunteer Befriender

Job Description

Volunteer Befriender – Community Outreach Project

St. Andrew’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care services to the people of Lanarkshire. It is a specialist resource for those individuals receiving palliative care, who have particularly complex needs that cannot be fully met in their usual place of care. We strive to meet physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs providing the highest standard of patient centred care possible while ensuring choice, promoting dignity and an enhanced quality of life. We engage with family and friends offering them support and bereavement counselling.

The hospice has an 18 bedded Inpatient Unit, Outpatient, Wellbeing and Community Outreach services as well as Bereavement and Support services, an Education Department and a Fundraising and Retail department. The hospice also has 14 shops throughout towns in North and South Lanarkshire.

Background The role

Our Volunteer Befriender will provide friendship and support to patients, carers and their families affected by a life limiting condition, helping them to cope and improving wellbeing. The service is delivered to the patient and carer within their own home with the aim of reducing anxiety and stress and improving the quality of life for all.

You will:

• Support patients and their carers affected by a life-limiting condition in their own home or via telephone/digital technology providing friendship and social support
• Provide a listening ear for patients, carers and their families
• Provide companionship (reading, chatting, letter writing)
• Provide respite for carers for short periods (up to a maximum of two hours) as agreed with the family and Community Outreach Support Team
• Assist with other non care related aspects of daily living, when appropriate as agreed by the Community Outreach Support Team and in-keeping with the individualised action plan. e.g. creating memories, playing games, reading, enjoying a cup of tea
• Patients could be accompanied out to a social venue if this meets the patient’s needs and has been agreed in advance by the Community Outreach Support Team
• Participate in reflective practice sessions at least three times a year (‘Cuppa and Catch Up’) and some team meetings pertaining to the Community Outreach project
• Attend relevant induction & training programme related to befriending role
• Adhere to the relevant policies and procedures of the Hospice

The benefits you will receive include:

• The opportunity to gain experience in the charity sector
• Take on a new challenge and meet new people
• Opportunity to make a difference to your community
• Learn and develop new skills and use existing skills to help others
• Training and support to carry out your role
• Join a supportive and inclusive team

Skills and experience

St Andrew’s Hospice welcomes applications from all sections of the community. As well as a professional qualification and relevant experience, you should be able to demonstrate:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Be a great listener and enjoy meeting new people
• Possess a sensitive and calm approach to situations
• Ability to cope in emotional and, sometimes distressing situations
• Be a team player and willing to work within guidelines provided but also responsive to patients needs as they arise
• A high degree of self awareness
• Be responsible and reliable
• Willingness to uphold the values of the hospice

Time commitment

• Shifts of 2 to 3 hours per week
• Flexible shifts available, including evenings & weekends

All successful applicants will be expected to attend an interview and training before being appointed as a hospice volunteer.

Please note that this role will require a PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) check to be completed prior to commencing in the role.