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St Joseph's Hospice
Founded in 1905 by the Sisters of Charity, St Joseph’s Hospice is one of the oldest and largest hospices in the UK.
Description

If you are looking for a 1:1 patient contact volunteering experience or want to engage in a meaningful project, this could be the ideal opportunity for you. Ideal for anyone wishing to pursue a career in the health sector or anyone from the community wishing to support people with serious illness!.

As a member of the Empowered Living Team (ELT) the volunteers role would be to assist in the delivery of therapy to patients in Newham, Tower Hamlets and City & Hackney to enable them to live their lives with as much independence and quality of life that is possible. .

ELT volunteers will be matched to a particular patient and will see them at that patient’s home or in a local clinic on a regular basis for a set number of weeks

Duties

This may include tasks such as:

  • Visiting patients in their homes to provide support of their therapy, as prescribed by a palliative care professional and within the scope of the volunteers training and competencies.
  • Supervising a patient to do an exercise programme or practice physical activities,  or providing a patient with massage/relaxation.
  • Talking to patients about some of their worries/concerns/thoughts
  • Completion of visiting records and documentation of activities undertaken with patient/carer
  • Working closely with a supervising health professional
  • Engaging with patients, their carers, and the team
Who will the volunteers be working with?
Volunteers will be working with patients in our core boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets and Hackney
Training
All volunteers would complete a compulsory induction training of 2-3 days, (dependent on role agreed) which would include training on:
• Palliative Care
• Visiting a patient in their home
• Coping with difficult situations
• Rehabilitation
• Counselling and listening skills
• Complementary therapy (massage/relaxation)
• Moving and Handling
• Communication skills
• Emotional Resilience In addition to the initial training volunteer will have access to training in specific areas of speciality such as: Shortness of breath, Pain, Reduced Mobility, anxiety and fatigue.

Time commitment

We require a commitment with a minimum of six months- shifts tend to be 1 a week for two hours during office hours.
Application deadline

Categories

This organisation is one of our community partner organisations.

Like all volunteer recruiters we work with, they have signed up to our service standards, agreeing to abide by our policy on partnership working to keep you safe and supported whilst you volunteer.

You’ll never be out of pocket for volunteering through us – with in-London travel expenses to and from your volunteering guaranteed.

In addition, the team here at Students’ Union UCL Volunteering Service is here to support you throughout your volunteering journey – you can get in touch with us at any time.