Weekday Afternoons

Bolton Cvs; Bolton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A local charity is seeking a Hospital Volunteer to support patients at the Rivington Unit in Royal Bolton Hospital. The role involves visiting patients, listening to their experiences, and providing information about community support. Ideal candidates should possess empathy, good communication skills, and a commitment to personal development. A minimum of two hours per week and an enhanced DBS check are required.

Benefits

Work experience

Training opportunities

Travel expenses covered

Ongoing support

Qualifications

• Understanding of the impact of mental health conditions on daily living.
• Willingness to listen to and prioritize the needs of people.
• Commitment to training and personal development.

Responsibilities

• Visit patients on the wards at the Rivington Unit.
• Listen to patients about their experiences.
• Provide information about available support in the community.
• Engage with patients via provided activities.

Skills

Empathic approach

Good listening and communication skills

Understanding of the impact of mental health conditions

Ability to work as part of a team

Ability to work on own initiative

Understanding of issues around confidentiality

Commitment to ongoing personal development

Job description

Where Is The Opportunity Located?: Indoor

Opportunity Role Type: Other

Requirements: Will require a criminal record check (DBS)

Wheelchair Access?: Yes

Full Description

Role Title: Hospital Volunteer

Where: The Rivington Unit at Royal Bolton Hospital

When: Tuesday and/or Thursday, afternoons

Commitment: A minimum of two hours per week

Why we want you: We are looking for people to be part of BAND, a proactive and caring charity offering support to individuals who have a lived experience of mental health.

Volunteers working in this role will:

• Visit patients on the wards at the Rivington Unit, at Royal Bolton Hospital.
• Listen to patients about their experiences.
• Provide information about available support in the community.
• Engage with patients via provided activities.
• Work towards appropriate reporting of issues experienced by, and/or complaints from, patients.
• Gather information from patients to help inform BAND/ward service provision.

What’s in it for you:

• Work experience, building professional relationships, and developing your skills.
• Being part of a team that is making a difference to people in Bolton.
• An opportunity to influence service provision – your feedback and ideas will change the service.
• Work with the staff and volunteer team to provide the best service.
• Volunteers will need to gain an understanding (appropriate to your role) of, and comply with, all relevant Family Action Policies and procedures.
• Access to our standard e-learning package, giving you a great basic introduction to topics such as Safeguarding and Equality and Diversity.
• Face-to-face training to ensure that you are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for this role.
• Regular meetings with your supervisor to discuss any challenges you are facing, and celebrate your progress in the role.
• Ongoing support from your supervisor and the wider team.
• Reasonable travel, food and beverages expenses will be paid in accordance with our expenses policy.

Role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

We encourage volunteers to stay for a minimum period of six months (or for the duration of the service) to make full use of the training and support offered.

Volunteers will benefit from the experience of working with people affected by mental health conditions. This could enhance your own skills, providing opportunities in relation to future career development or for your own personal development.

The skills and experience you need

• Understanding of the impact of mental health conditions on daily living.
• Understanding of issues around confidentiality.
• Empathic approach.
• Good listening and communication skills.
• Ability to work within structured boundaries.
• Commitment to the work, and ongoing personal development.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Knowledge of mental health services in Bolton an advantage.

BAND welcomes applications from people with personal experience of mental health conditions.

General basic criteria

• A willingness to listen to, and prioritise, the needs of the people you work with for the time you are working with them.
• A willingness to undertake, and to contribute to, training and your own development, to meet the needs of your chosen role(s).

Role-specific basic criteria

Notes: Volunteers play an important role in this project. You will receive full training and induction to the service followed by ongoing support and supervision with the project’s worker.

Core training is required prior to undertaking a position and further training will be offered relevant to the post. Reasonable travel, food and beverages expenses will be paid in accordance with our expenses policy.

Contact

For more information contact:
Dave Coleman
[e-mail]
01204 380643