Patient Experience Volunteer Volunteer Roles

Marie Curie recognises that the best way to understand its services is by seeing it through the eyes of the people we support. Feedback from people we care for is critical in telling us what we are doing well and where we can improve. 

Through this exciting volunteer role, you will help us understand our services’ quality by listening to the people we support. You will help us by contacting people while they are receiving our services to make sure we are providing our patients and families with excellent care, and if there are issues, to help us nip things in the bud. This role is 18+

Marie Curie recognises that the best way to understand its services is by seeing it through the eyes of the people we support. Feedback from people we care for is critical in telling us what we are doing well and where we can improve. 

Through this exciting volunteer role, you will help us understand our services’ quality by listening to the people we support. You will help us by contacting people while they are receiving our services to make sure we are providing our patients and families with excellent care, and if there are issues, to help us nip things in the bud. Age 18+

Age restrictions: 18+

Why we need your help

Marie Curie provides care and support for people living with any terminal illness, and their 
families. As part of our care we provide transport for our patients to and from their homes and 
our Hospices.

We’re looking for volunteers to help our patients using our minibus. You’ll assist the driver in 
mobilising patients in and out of the bus, chat and socialise with the patients, and help ensure 
that they are safe and comfortable at all times. 

This role does not involve driving – if you’re a sociable, friendly and caring person interested in 
volunteering with Marie Curie, we’d love to hear from you. 

What we need you to do

Your role will include some of, but is not restricted to, the following tasks:
• Assist driver with mobilising patients to and from home and entry to and from the vehicle.
• Assist driver in ensuring that all passengers are carried safely, paying attention to seat belts 
and wheelchair equipment.
• Monitor passengers during journey and report any problems to driver.
• Socialise with passengers during journey.
• Ensure safe storage of equipment and baggage during journey.
• Adhere to the policy of patient confidentiality whilst communicating 
openly any observations of change with the Day Care Team Leader.
• Help with other related tasks when necessary

What skills or experience do you need?

• Friendly and caring manner
• Able to communicate pleasantly
• An understanding of confidentiality
• Good listener with empathy towards those living with a terminal illness.
• Reliable and committed
• Experience of working with frail elderly people would be an advantage

What we can offer you

• 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

What we ask of you

• 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

About Us

Every day of your life matters – from the first to the last. When you volunteer for Marie Curie, you understand that better than ever. We’re a passionate, committed and diverse team of more than 4,400 staff and  6,500 volunteers, here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support, to help them get the most from the time they have left. 

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work.  We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

Marie Curie is committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early.

Patient Drivers – Ely & Llanrumney

Patient Drivers support with City Hospice’s day center by transporting patients to and from their homes to our hospice in Whitchurch. Our patients are based across the city and often need support with transport to attend on Monday and Thursday afternoons.

By using your own car to transport our patients, you’ll be enabling them to socialise with other people, receive complementary therapies, and have some much-needed entertainment.

Our patient groups run on a Monday and Thursday between 1:30pm and 3:30pm, with patients coming from across the city. We're particularly interested to hear from prospective volunteers that live in and around Ely and Llanrumney.

Some of our volunteers have shared with us why they enjoy being a patient volunteer driver:

Kevin tells us “I find volunteering for City Hospice such a rewarding experience. I really look forward to seeing our patients and listening to their stories. I volunteer because City Hospice provided such great care to my wife and I want to give something back so the charity can continue to support those who need it in the local community”

Derek says “The Hospice has a need and I have a car and it’s lovely to volunteer for such a great Charity”

Please note, this role requires use of your own vehicle and a current up to date DBS which we can undertake on your behalf.

Age restrictions: 18+

Why we need your help

Marie Curie recognises that the best way to understand its services is by seeing it through the 
eyes of the people we support. Feedback from people we care for is critical in telling us what 
we are doing well and where we can improve.

Through this exciting volunteer role, you will help us understand our services’ quality by 
listening to the people we support. You will help us by contacting people while they are 
receiving our services to make sure we are providing our patients and families with excellent 
care, and if there are issues, to help us nip things in the bud.

This role has the scope for broader conversations with people about their experiences at the 
end of life. Gaining insight and understanding allows us to ensure we’re there for all people 
experiencing dying, death and bereavement.

What we need you to do

Your role will include some of, but is not restricted to, the following tasks:
• Speak with patients and families over the phone to complete surveys 
about their experiences of our care and support.
• Record data accurately, capturing as much as possible in the person’s 
own words.
• Input feedback data into online an online database. 
• If comfortable, undertake analysis of data to help us report on themes 
and trends; what we are doing well and what we can improve.
• Communicate with patients and families how we use their feedback and ideas to improve 
services, where appropriate.
• Work with the Clinical Nurse Managers to highlight any issues and concerns about the care 
provided in their services.
• Relay positive feedback to Marie Curie Nursing staff and volunteers. 
• If comfortable, conduct semi-structured interviews to understand peoples’ lived 
experiences of dying, death, and bereavement.

What skills or experience do you need?

• Good communication, listening and people skills.
• The ability to deal with people in a warm, friendly, and sensitive manner.
• Understanding the importance of confidentiality.
• Empathy and an understanding of the needs of people experiencing end of life care issues.

What we can offer you

• 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

What we ask of you
• 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

Note - weekend/evening volunteering is not available for this role, we are looking for volunteers who are able to give some time between Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. 

About Us

Every day of your life matters – from the first to the last. When you volunteer for Marie Curie, you understand that better than ever. We’re a passionate, committed and diverse team of more than 4,400 staff and  6,500 volunteers, here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support, to help them get the most from the time they have left. 

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work.  We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

Marie Curie is committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early.

Prison-based volunteers are the backbone of Fine Cell Work (FCW). Supported by the Fine Cell Work programmes team and by other staff at the FCW office, they teach and administer FCW stitching groups in prisons.

Prison volunteers work in teams to organise classes and teach our stitchers, as well as providing groups information to the prison and to the FCW office. The precise mix of skills will vary from prison to prison.

Volunteering in prison for Fine Cell Work requires ideally a good level of needlework skill (or a willingness to learn), some teaching experience and/or experience of working with socially-excluded groups. Volunteers must be patient and non-judgemental in order to work effectively.

This document describes the role of prison volunteering teams as a whole. Individuals who do not have all the skills described below may find a role alongside other volunteers who do.

Prison-based volunteers are the backbone of Fine Cell Work (FCW). Supported by the Fine Cell Work programmes team and by other staff at the FCW office, they teach and administer FCW stitching groups in prisons.

Prison volunteers work in teams to organise classes and teach our stitchers, as well as providing groups information to the prison and to the FCW office. The precise mix of skills will vary from prison to prison.

Volunteering in prison for Fine Cell Work requires ideally a good level of needlework skill (or a willingness to learn), some teaching experience and/or experience of working with socially-excluded groups. Volunteers must be patient and non-judgemental in order to work effectively. As a prison volunteer you will:

• Developing skills and confidence
• Teach prisoners to stitch FCW products within the framework of our training programme
• Encouraging and supporting prisoners to volunteer as class coordinators and peer mentors
• Encouraging and helping prisoners who wish to undertake their own creative projects
• Teaching prisoners to stitch FCW products within the framework of our training programme
• Encouraging and supporting prisoners to volunteer as class coordinators and peer mentors
• Encouraging and helping prisoners who wish to undertake their own creative projects

It is essential for volunteers to support FCW ethos, believe in rehabilitation, be an excellent teamworker, observe personal boundaries, be reliable and patient to ensure cell groups run smoothly, and have record-keeping skills and have at knowledge of tapestry/needlework. . 

Volunteers work in prisons around the UK dependant on where groups are based, therefore it is requred that volunteers will be able to travel to the relevant prisons. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the charity. 

Please take some time to read the role description to find put more details about the role and what we offer to our volunteers. 

At Fine Cell Work, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in FCW’s workforce.

These include applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+, and male identifying applicants as these are currently under-represented in our volunteers groups.

GSTTKPA is going through an exciting period of change. As a result, we are seeking to recruit a new Chair to support our ambitious and innovative change programme, so we can continue to achieve the aims and objectives of the charity.

The Chair role provides leadership to the organisation and the Trustee board by ensuring that everyone remains focused on the delivery of the organisation’s charitable purposes in order to ensure that GSTTKPA moves forward and continues to benefit kidney patients in the future.

The Chair will also need to set the strategy for the charity for the next few years which is vital for ensuring that our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, the new post holder must understand that all the Trustees have a collective responsibility. This means that the Chair and the other Trustees must always act as a group and not as individuals. 

As a Trustee, the new Chair must have a commitment to equality; celebrate diversity and be responsive to the needs of different groups and individuals within GSTTKPA and the wider community. In return, the successful applicant will join a warm and friendly team that works collaboratively to support each other as well as our kidney patients.

The Treasurer is a key role supporting Trustees and Committee Members by ensuring the finances of the KPA are properly managed in line with Charity Commission reporting, accounting and financial governance requirements.

GSTTKPA is going through an exciting period of change. As a result, we are seeking to recruit new Trustees to support our ambitious and innovative change programme, so we can continue to achieve the aims and objectives of the charity.

For this role, we are seeking a qualified accountant with charity experience to be both our Treasurer and a Trustee.

The role requires someone with commitment, enthusiasm and a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with being a kidney patient.  You will have a commitment to equality; celebrate diversity and be responsive to the needs of different groups and individuals within society.

About Pain Concern: Pain Concern is a charity providing information and support to people with pain and those who care for them, whether family, friends or healthcare professionals. Visit our website to find out more about what we do, including our Airing Pain radio programme, podcasts, Pain Matters magazine, information helpline, and our research and campaigning work. All pain is unpleasant, but for the 7.8 million people in the UK living with long term pain it is a part of everyday life. It diminishes quality of life more than any other condition, leading often to loss of work, depression and disability. Anyone at any age can develop persistent pain and you will very probably know somebody affected. Although there is usually no cure, people who receive the appropriate treatment, information and support can manage their condition effectively with life-changing results

Role Purpose: Pain Concern are seeking an individual who can support the Information Officer volunteer and operational team to devise a classification/indexing scheme for Pain Concern's online resources.

What you would be doing:

▪ Working with (including audio and video resources)

▪ Drawing insights from data and other sources to help shape a scheme that is useful and understandable to a range of stakeholders (patients, friends/family, medical professionals, helpline volunteers)

▪ Support with indexing/classifying website resources

▪ Assisting with user testing of the scheme

▪ Documenting the process for knowledge capture

▪ There is potential for delivering training to other Pain Concern volunteers and staff on using the classification scheme

Is this role right for me? We are looking for:

• Strong attention to detail

• Knowledge of classification and/or cataloguing/indexing basics, or of using a controlled vocabulary to label resources (this could be from study or through practical experience)

• Strong communication skills

• Good organisational skills

• Fluency with using Microsoft Office

• Knowledge/Interest of chronic pain and long-term conditions (advantageous)

• Knowledge of/interest in health literacy

Availability and location:

• Minimum commitment of 3 months

• Volunteer flexibly for a minimum 2-3 hours per week

• Volunteer from your own location or from our office at Newcraighall Road, Edinburgh EH15 3HS

Benefits to you: 

• Experience volunteering as part of a friendly team

• Supported by a professional editor and a dedicated volunteer line manager looking after you  

• Meet new people 

• Build on your employability skills 

• A job reference after 3 months of volunteering

• Satisfaction of giving a valuable service to the community

• On-site car parking

• Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Volunteer Policy  

How do I apply: Download and complete an application form our website 

Volunteer Role Description

Volunteer Befriender

Role of a Volunteer Befriender

Volunteer Befrienders with the Age UK Solihull Linking People Together service play a key role in supporting lonely older people.  Volunteers are in a position of trust as they establish a one to one relationship with the person they befriend.

The volunteer will provide a supportive relationship that enables the older person to build their confidence and enables then to retain a sense of independence and inclusion.

The tasks of a Volunteer Befriender

The tasks undertaken by a befriender will vary depending upon the needs of the individual they are supporting but will at all times be governed by the policies and procedures operated by the service.

The following list provides the range of tasks and the approach to be adopted by a volunteer whilst working with the service:

· To develop and promote a positive relationship with the older person with whom the volunteer is matched;

· To establish and maintain appropriate boundaries in the befriending relationship;

· To agree with the older person the types of activities they wish to undertake, ensuring that these comply with the service safety requirements;

· To be consistent and dependable;

· To recognise that the relationship with the older person may be challenging due to the individuals needs and circumstances and being realistic about what can be achieved in your relationship with them;

· To uphold Age UK Solihull’s core principles, vision, culture and values and abide by the policies and procedures of the service and the organisation;

· To work in conjunction with the employees of the Linking People Together service to ensure service quality, by participating in team meetings, referring concerns about the older person they are befriending and completing monitoring forms;

· To offer an accepting and understanding presence and work within a non-discriminatory framework.

Experience, skills and attitudes required

The project wants to promote an inclusive service that recognises the wide range of skills and experiences that volunteers can bring to the project and their befriending role to help reduce loneliness and isolation amongst older people.

The volunteer person specification outlines the range of skills, experience and attitudes that we feel would be relevant to the role:

Essential requirements

· All volunteers will be over the age of 16 prior to being matched with an older person who has been referred to the project, and are required to successfully complete compulsory training* and an informal interview.

· In addition, as the role involves working with vulnerable adults, volunteers will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

· Volunteers will come from all walks of life, with a range of experiences and skills to offer.

· There are no specific educational qualifications required and we aim to recruit people with potential as well as those with relevant experience or qualifications.

· We are looking for people who will embrace the principles and values that we promote when working with older people.

· If escorting clients in a car, a full clean driving licence and the appropriate insurances and MOT.

Personal qualities

· Able to communicate well with other people, particularly older people and be a good listener;

· Can relate to the issues and challenges facing older people;

· Reliable, consistent and dependable

· Patient

Personal values

· An ability to accept people for who they are;

· A respect for others as being of equal worth

*Compulsory Training

Volunteer Mandatory training which includes:

· Safeguarding

· Confidentiality, Data Protection and Cyber Security

· Health & Safety

· Lone Working

· Dementia Awareness

· Equality & Diversity

· Professional Boundaries

· Infection prevention and control (5 minutes)

· Food Safety (if preparing/handling food) (45 minutes)

Minimum Commitment

· 1 hour per week

Expenses

· All reasonable out of pocket expenses are reimbursed monthly (following submission of expenses details).  Mileage allowance is paid at 45p per mile. 

Why we need your help

• To enable us to provide a rehabilitation and enablement service to patients in their own homes.

• To promote independence and support to help someone to achieve their goal

• Increase patients’ self-confidence and ability to self-manage their difficulties or symptoms.

What activities will you be involved in as part of this volunteer role?

You will be providing rehabilitation for patients in their own home. This may include;

· Helping with exercises that may make things easier for them at home (for example standing from a chair)

· Supporting people to manage their breathlessness

· Helping a patient to put some techniques into practice that may help with day to day activities.

· Helping someone to mobilise

Other activities include;

· Attending a joint visit with the therapist to be introduced to the patient and the exercises they will be doing.

· Dealing sensitively and politely with patients that you visit at home.

· Respect that you are in someone’s home and acting appropriately.

· Arranging further visits as agreed with the patient and the therapist within agreed hours.

· Promoting rehabilitation in all of your interactions with both patients and their families.

· Contacting the Living Well at Home team prior to and directly after a visit to ensure your safety at all times.

· Complete the visit report and submit it to the Living Well at Home team on the same day as the visit.

You will not be involved in the following;

· Toileting or personal care.

What you can gain from volunteering in this role

• Know you are helping dying people in your local community have access to care and support, whenever and wherever they need it.

• Experience of rehabilitation and really helping to make a difference to someone’s quality of life

• Opportunity to meet and work with interesting and diverse people

• Join an enthusiastic team, meet new people and get more involved in your local community

• Use and develop your skills, enhancing your CV if that is important to you

• Know you are helping dying people in your local community have access to care and support, whenever and wherever they need it.

Training and support provided

• An Introduction to Supporting People at End of Life training, date to be confirmed.

• Staff and volunteer induction training (covering all mandatory training)

• Living Well at Home Project training. Up to 1 day, at the Sydenham site or by zoom, depending on your availability. (Training is flexible at present and we will try and fit in with your availability)

• Ongoing informal training specific to the patient that you are visiting

• Monthly supervision sessions with the Living Well at Home team.

• Contact with the Living Well at Home team for support or questions regarding the patient/family at any time during working hours.

• Reasonable travel expenses will be paid

• Support from the Volunteering team including a regular e-newsletter

• Volunteer handbook and volunteer workbook

• Regular updates and training through MyImpact

We are looking for someone who is

· Approachable and friendly and able to get on well with people of many different backgrounds

· Caring and committed to help improve the quality of life for our patients

· Able to work in a professional manner with patients who have a terminal illness

· Capable of completing entries in patient files and updating other written documents as instructed

· Enthusiastic about learning and keen to develop new skills

· Reliable and can be flexible in the offer of time

• Able to follow our policies and procedures to keep you, our staff, our patients and our customers safe

• Able to represent St Christopher’s and our values positively.

Anything else you need to know

• There is a short settling in period to see if the role is right for you

• This role will require pre-volunteering checks, which will include a DBS Check. Having a criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from volunteering with us. Every situation is assessed on an individual basis.

• At St Christopher’s we believe that no volunteer should be out of pocket because of their volunteering. The reimbursement of reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred whilst volunteering will help ensure volunteering is accessible.

Commitment to volunteering

Signing up to be a volunteer with St Christopher’s Hospice is a big commitment and requires lots of training and support from the organisation. With this in mind, ideally you would be able to volunteer with us for a minimum of a year. We would also ask that you to inform your manager if you are unable to attend your shift with as much notice as possible.

Equality and diversity

St Christopher’s recognises the qualities and strengths that a diverse group of volunteers bring to the organisation and we therefore particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups within the local communities and from a range of different cultures and backgrounds.

Purpose

An Oxfordshire Youth Hospital Navigator Volunteer will provide support to Oxfordshire Youth staff and young people within our Hospital Navigator scheme. The post holder will passionately believe in the potential of all young people to achieve their goals.

An Oxfordshire Youth, Hospital Navigators Volunteer will be an advocate for young people.

Oxfordshire Youth Hospital Navigators Volunteers do not have fixed hours, but commit to flexible hours to suit their availability and staff needs. Shifts are available 7 days per week.

Join our dynamic team YPSA Team to coordinate the ground-breaking Intervention programme - Hospital Navigator.  With an increase in the number of young people presenting at emergency departments due to serious violence, mental health issues, and substance abuse, we are addressing an urgent need for signposting young people to support services following discharge from A&E.

The Hospital Navigators will establish trust with young people who arrive at the JR hospital due to pre-existing concerns such as substance addiction, mental health issues, personal care, and violence itself. When in the hospital, there is an opportunity for the young person to reflect and be open to intervention. A volunteer in a dedicated Navigator role would request permission to refer the young person to a third-party agency that can provide the necessary specialist support. This moment may assist in redirecting the young person back into the community via a different pathway. The volunteer would connect them with a local support agency/charity that would assist them in reintegrating into the community, building resilience, and providing mentoring to prevent repeat occurrences that could lead to their hospitalisation.

The Navigator Coordinator will supervise Hospital Navigator volunteers. Once the navigator has gained the young person's trust and agreement, they will prepare an assessment and referral form that includes the type of difficulties, services available for referral, and the type of communication the client prefers.

Main volunteering duties

● Work within a busy A&E and the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) within JR hospital setting

● Liaise with the triage nurse team once people are medically cleared, to screen and offer signposting to appropriate services outside of the hospital

● Liaise with the A&E rapid response team to identify patients readmitted multiple times, and offer information to try to help reduce further re-admission

● Require administrative skills and be able to use IT, including finding out information from the internet on where and how to access services.

● Work within a team of people including doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists. 

● Some important skills include good communication with people, and the ability to listen and build trust in a relatively short time frame.

This role profile is subject to amendment following discussion with the post holder and daily tasks will be determined by the needs of the young people and staff.

What you will gain

You will gain valuable experience and receive high-quality training to ensure you feel confident and motivated to support different aspects of Youth work. You will learn about teamwork, building and maintaining groups and recognising group dynamics.

Available training includes Safeguarding Levels 1 and 2 and GDPR. In addition, it will be possible to have further discussions about available opportunities for a Diploma in Youth Work Practice. Please note that some of this training is mandatory and you will only be able to volunteer if you complete this training.

All volunteers must undergo a DBS check.

Equipment will be provided.

Support for You

● Training and development opportunities in safeguarding level 2, self-harm and trauma-informed training, Mental Capacity Act, GDPR, Motivational interviewing and suicide prevention.

● Networking and social opportunities to meet sector partners and staff members.

● Ongoing day-to-day support and guidance from your team.

● Regular one-to-ones with a member of OY staff appointed to support you during your time with us.

Skills Required

We welcome volunteers over 18 years old and from all backgrounds and levels of the community. No previous experience is required, just an enthusiasm for getting involved.

However, we are looking for volunteers to demonstrate the following key skills and abilities:

● Good administration skills

● good communication and interpersonal skills

● impartiality, fairness and the ability to respect confidentiality

● an ability to ensure decisions are taken and followed up

● good time-keeping

● using your discretion and sensitivity for others

● a commitment to the organisation and the role

GSTTKPA is going through an exciting period of change. Therefore, we are seeking to recruit a new Company Secretary to support our ambitious and innovative change programme, so we can continue to achieve the aims and objectives of the charity.

The role of Company Secretary is a key and important Trustee position on the Board. The Company Secretary will support the Chair and Vice Chair by ensuring the board functions smoothly. The Company Secretary will also have the opportunity to assist with activities and initiatives that are funded by GSTTKPA.

Trustees play a vital role in making sure that GSTTKPA achieves its core purpose. They also ensure that the charity has a clear strategy andthat our work and goals are in line with our vision. Just as importantly, all the Trustees have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always actas a group and not as individuals. 

As a Trustee, we also require the successful applicant to have a commitment to equality; celebrate diversity and be responsive to the needs of different groups and individuals within GSTTKPA and the wider community. In return, the successful applicant will join a warm and friendly team that works collaboratively to support each other as well as our kidney patients.