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Job summary

Main area
Volunteer
Grade
Volunteer
Contract
Voluntary: Volunteer
Hours
to be discussed
Job ref
351-VS-FYL01-E
Employer
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Harbour
Town
Blackpool
Salary
This is an un-paid Volunteer role and as such there is no salary
Closing
12/05/2024 23:59

Employer heading

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust logo

Dining Buddy and Befriender

Volunteer

Our Vision is to provide the best mental health, learning disability, autism and community based services for the populations we serve.

As an integrated Mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust, Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including:

  • Primary and secondary mental health care for children and adults including specialist inpatient child and adolescent mental health provision, perinatal mental health, forensic services including low and medium secure care.
  • Specialist community support for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, including intensive support.
  • Community physical health and well-being services for children and adults.

The Trust was first established in 2002 and employs approximately 7,000 staff who provide care from more than 400 sites. The organisation offers opportunities for medics, mental health and general nurses, allied health professionals, Psychology, administration and clerical staff, apprentices and volunteers.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust supports flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, home/remote working, and flexi-time.

For more information about  Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.

Job overview

Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust recognise and value the importance volunteer support is to us and our patients. We currently have a volunteer role available supporting us at The Harbour in Blackpool. You must be 18 years and over to apply for this role. Please apply by downloading the attached application form. As volunteer expenses are limited to a 20 mile round trip, we are unable to proceed with applications if you live to far from the location you are volunteering for. 

Main duties of the job

Volunteering on award involves a long term commitment (for example 9 – 12 months), and to bring continuity and stability for patients and staff, we ask volunteer to support by doing the same periods each week, which are discussed and agreed by the volunteer and volunteer supervisor.

We have merged the role of dining buddy and befriender to maintain familiarity and consistency for our patients. Dining buddies are volunteers who provide extra support during mealtimes and help complete diet/fluid charts. The role supports people to maintain optimal health and wellbeing, nutrition and hydration. 

Working for our organisation

Befrienders can help patients feel content during their stay in hospital by spending time with them, maybe having a chat and a cup of tea/coffee or engaging in other social activities.

  1. Introduce yourself to the patients and discuss the menu relevant to that meal time.
  2. Assist with providing patients with their meals and ensure cutlery/napkins/specialist equipment is available.
  3. Support individuals who may need extra help, for example cutting up food, opening packets, spreading butter (etc). No direct feeding of patients is to take place.
  4. Encourage conversation during mealtime so it is a social occasion.
  5. Support other staff to clear away utensils between courses and at the end of the meal and clean the dining room area.
  6. Support completion of diet and fluid charts following meals.
  7. Complete fluid pushes and complete fluid charts accordingly.
  8. Establish and build befriending relationships with patients.
  9. Ensure appropriate boundaries are maintained.
  10. Spend time listening, talking and engaging in activities with the patients.

 For this role applicants must be over the age of 18

An Enhanced DBS with Adult Barring is also required for this role

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please read the attached Role Description, or email main contact, for further information on this role. To apply for this role, please click the link below or contact us for a paper application form. 

LSCFT – My Impact

Person specification

Requirements

Essential criteria
  • See Role Description

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare Leaver CovenantStep into healthDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - Gold

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Phillipa Cain
Job title
Matron
Email address
[email protected]
Additional information

Volunteer Service

email - [email protected]

phone - 01772 645507

 

 

 

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