Introduction
St John’s Hospice and St John’s Information and Support Centre have almost 100 volunteers working alongside staff to help extend and enhance the services we provide to our patients, their carers and families.
Volunteers are an integral part of the hospice – without them some services wouldn’t be able to function – this is why all our volunteers are valued members of the team and are appreciated by each and every patient, carer and member of staff.
As a volunteer at St John’s, you know that every time you walk through the door you will be making a difference by supporting members of your local community who are living with a life-limiting illness.
As well as the knowledge that you are spending your time so productively, it is also an opportunity for you to make new friends, learn new skills and have a lot of fun in the process!
There are several social occasions throughout the year, Christmas – where long service awards are presented to volunteers who have worked 5 years and 10 years, and during the summer, when volunteers are thanked formally for all the work they do at the annual volunteers buffet luncheon.
What volunteers do
Volunteers undertake a wide variety of roles throughout the hospice and information and support centre, these include: -
Daycare Volunteers:
Tuesdays to Fridays - 9.30am – 3.15pm
This group of volunteers work closely with the patients, serving refreshments and meals, helping with activities such as painting, clay work, card making, assisting on days out and generally interacting with patients throughout the day to ensure they receive maximum benefit from their time at the hospice.
Ward Volunteers:
7 days a week – 10am – 2pm & 5pm – 8pm
These volunteers work closely with the nursing staff on the in patient unit, serving meals and refreshments to patients and their families, arranging flowers, general housekeeping around the ward and talking to patients and relatives on the unit.
Driving Volunteers:
Monday to Friday – varied times
Volunteer drivers work with different departments within the hospice and information and support centre to ensure patients and carers are able to attend clinics / appointments / day care placements on a regular basis. Drivers will collect patients / carers from their homes and transport them to the hospice, then return them home again.
Reception Volunteers:
7 days a week – varied times
Reception volunteers at the hospice are the first point of contact for any visitors. They are responsible for answering the telephone, taking messages, greeting visitors / patients / relatives / friends - ensuring everyone receives a warm welcome into the hospice.
Gardening Volunteers:
As and when basis
Volunteers work within the grounds of the hospice to ensure everywhere is kept tidy and the gardens and grounds are maintained at a constant high level, so all our patients and visitors can enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the hospice.
Bereavement Support Volunteers:
Varied times
This specially trained team of volunteers work with patients living with a life-limiting illness and / or recently bereaved relatives. They are trained to give emotional and practical support to people when they need it the most.
Administrative Volunteers:
Varied times
Volunteers work with different departments throughout the hospice and information and support centre, providing administrative support to the professional teams.
Hospitality Volunteers:
Varied times
Many fundraising and awareness events are held within the hospice throughout the year. We need a team of volunteers for each event to ensure refreshments are served, visitors are greeted and the event runs as smoothly as possible.
All volunteers can claim travel expenses to and from the hospice and any other out of pocket expenses they may incur as a result of their voluntary role
What training is needed?
Most of our volunteer positions require very little specialist training, however some volunteers do need to undertake certain training courses to fulfil the needs of the role.
All new volunteers will be asked to undertake a period of shadow training before commencing their volunteer role, this enables them to learn from existing volunteers and see the job being done first hand.
Also, all new volunteers are asked to attend an induction afternoon, which includes mini-presentations from different members of the hospice team who talk about their individual services, how they fit in with the wider organisation and how they work towards achieving the hospice philosophy.
Volunteer drivers are required to undertake mobility training to ensure they can help manoeuvre patients in and out of the car safely and use wheelchairs correctly.
Ward volunteers are required to undertake food hygiene training as the role involves food preparation.
Volunteer bereavement support workers are required to undertake an 8-week course to help understand the needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses, their carers and families.
General training courses are held on a regular basis for all volunteers – new and old to learn new skills and gain a better understanding of the hospice movement. Some courses focus on self – awareness and communication skills, and others aim to provide and insight into bereavement and loss.
How much time do volunteers have to give?
Volunteering at St John’s Hospice and St John’s Information and Support Centre can be as flexible or as structured as you like.
Some volunteers prefer to have the same 4 hour shift each week, and others prefer to work a little more flexibly, coming in on an as and when basis.
We have such a diverse team of volunteers, ranging from students at college / university wanting work experience to individuals who have retired and have some free time on their hands. We will always try to accommodate the needs of the volunteer when providing a voluntary placement.
How to become a volunteer
All volunteers at St John’s Hospice and St John’s Information and Support Centre have to go through a standard application process. This consists of:-
Making initial contact with the Voluntary Services Manager, this can be done in writing to:
Julie Thornton
Voluntary Services Manager
St John’s Hospice
Weston Road
Balby
Doncaster
DN4 8JS
By telephone on 01302 796854
Or by e-mail on julie.thornton@dsh.nhs.uk
An application pack will then be sent out to potential volunteers to be completed and returned to the Voluntary Services Manager. The application pack will consist of an application form, an equal opportunities monitoring form, an occupational health questionnaire and the request for details of two referees. A criminal records bureau application form will also need to be completed.
On receipt of the completed application form, the Voluntary Services Manger will contact the potential volunteer to arrange a mutually convenient time to meet and discuss voluntary placements.
Depending on the area chosen by the potential volunteer, a further interview will be held with the senior member of staff in that particular department.
If the application process is successful, training will be arranged and a voluntary placement will be offered.
St John’s Hospice & St John’s Information and Support Centre Volunteer Mission Statement
To work with and support staff in caring for terminally ill patients, their families and friends
“Volunteers are the backbone of the hospice movement, they provide an invaluable service to their local community and help to ensure all patients, carers and families receive the highest level of care at a time when they need it the most”
Julie Thornton
Voluntary Services Manager