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Job summary

Main area
Volunteering
Grade
Volunteer
Contract
Voluntary
Hours
1 session per week (Volunteer)
Job ref
385-VS-Bef-09/24
Employer
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Weston General Hospital
Town
Weston
Closing
15/09/2024 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust logo

Befriender Volunteer (Weston)

Volunteer

As an organisation we recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Click on this link to find out about our values https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/p/about-us/our-trust-values

Job overview

We are seeking Befrienders to provide companionship and reassurance to adult patients on wards, particularly older patients and those with a dementia or cognitive impairment. 

We ask volunteers to commit to one volunteering session per week for at least 6 months. 

We are looking for Volunteers with:

  • A willingness to provide company, encourage social interaction and engage in activities with  patients, including older people within a hospital/care setting.
  • Good social and communication skills.
  • Patience and understanding of the needs of patients in a hospital setting, taking direction from ward staff as required.

Main duties of the job

  • Providing companionship and promoting social interaction, particularly with older patients, and those with a dementia or cognitive impairment
  • Encouraging and engaging with patients to participate in social and recreational activities, such as reading a newspaper, listening to music, having a chat, playing cards and simple craft activities.
  • Proving reassurance to patients.
  • Completing the patients ‘All about me’ document (where applicable).

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of 
over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. 
UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local 
and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the 
countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of 
children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a 
workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients 
and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the role profile document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Basic Criteria

Essential criteria
  • Describes how skills, experiences and values will benefit others: 2 = yes : 1 = working towards : 0 = not achieved
  • Explains why they want to volunteer: 2 = yes : 1 = working towards : 0 = not achieved
  • Availability matches requirements of role: 1=yes : 0 = not achieved

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - SilverCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareTime to changeStep into healthDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Voluntary Services Team
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01934 647005
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