Would you like to provide companionship to someone in your local area?
At Dorothy House Hospice, we have opportunities for you to join our team of volunteers, providing practical and emotional support to patients and their carers in their own homes. You need to be able to offer regular visits and will be enthusiastic about helping with the little things that make a big difference. This may include a variety of practical and social support from respite care to taking someone out for a coffee. What you will do depends on the needs and requests of the patient and your own experience and interests.
What you will be doing
- Visit patients/carers in their own homes on a regular basis
- Take patients in your car and accompany them to appointments, local activities, groups or to go shopping
- Assist the patient or carer with light practical tasks around the house or garden
- Provide companionship and a listening ear
- Help the patient re-engage in social activities, from accessing local community groups to playing board games
- Record your visits using the agreed process
- Attend support groups and one to one sessions as agreed
The skills you need
- To be able to actively listen without feeling a need to ‘fix it’
- To be balanced and comfortable in your own life, especially if you have personal experience of loss, bereavement and grief.
- To be empathetic, transparent and non-judgemental in your approach
- To have an ability to encourage and motivate individuals.
- To be comfortable relying on your own initiative and common sense but also recognising your own needs and knowing when to seek support.
- To be courteous, friendly, have a sense of humour and be approachable.
- To be a non-smoker whilst performing your volunteer duties.
- To have a clean driving licence and be happy to take patients in your car.
What's in it for you
- A chance to support people in your local community
- Learn new skills
- Gain more confidence
- Make new friends
- Out of pocket expenses reimbursed
- Hours to suit you
It’s really easy to get your volunteering started.
Just visit links below for specific areas and Apply online!
Melksham, Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Devizes & Westbury
Malmesbury, Chippenham, Corsham and Calne
Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community.
Alternatively, click on the 'Pledge' button to register your interest and we will contact you.