Volunteer - Companion - University Hospital Of Wales Cardiff

Full Job Description

ABOUT THE ROLE

Marie Curie and University Hospital of Wales have joined together to offer a companion service to support people at the end of life. Spending time with patients and/or their relatives, we’re looking for volunteers to provide emotional support, a listening ear, and to simply be there for people at a very difficult time .

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING.

Your role will include some of, but is not restricted to, the following duties: 

• Spending time with patients of University Hospital of Wales who have been identified as nearing the end of their life and providing support for them and their loved ones.
• Sitting with a patient when their loved ones need a break. 
• Liaising with hospital staff and keeping the companions volunteer coordinator updated with any significant updates with the patient by telephone or in person. 
• Writing and submitting a brief report after each patient or family you support. 
• Explaining clearly the Companions Volunteer role and making sure that families are aware of the services provided by the hospital to families of dying patients. 
• Covering a regular 3 hour weekly shift. 
• Understand the need for boundaries and work within the boundaries set out. 
• Attending ongoing mandatory training sessions and reflective meetings.

THE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE YOU WILL NEED.

• A  compassionate and sensitive nature.
• The confidence to communicate effectively with all staff, patients and visitors.
• Respect confidentiality
• Are aware of their own emotions and manage them with the support available
• Are physically fit enough to walk the length and breadth of the hospital site
• Are able to use their initiative and work in a sensible, safe and appropriate manner.
• Are good time keepers, providing regular volunteering shifts, and producing clear feedback
• forms after each visit to a patient.
• Communicate effectively with the Companions Volunteer Coordinator
• Have the ability and inclination to work as part of a team, or on their own.
• Attend pre-arranged meetings and ongoing training sessions, some of which are mandatory.

• An excellent opportunity to build on your skills in a charity environment
• An induction, training, support and supervision in your role
• Agreed reasonable out-of-pocket expenses

• To provide two references from non-family members and other relevant documents related to the role
• To keep to all the charity’s policies and guidelines 
• To complete an induction and any training related to the role

Marie Curie is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of patients and their families and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  Marie Curie will treat all volunteers fairly and with respect.  We will not discriminate on the basis of disability, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, sex (i.e. gender), sexual orientation, religion or faith, or gender reassignment.  We will not discriminate on the basis of age, unless the responsibilities of a role require us to do so in order to safeguard our volunteers and/or service users.

For more information or if you have any questions regarding this volunteer role, please contact the Volunteer Operations Centre on   or on 0800 304 7032.