Enhanced Support Volunteer

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Barnsley is seeking patient support volunteers to provide companionship and assist with mealtime support. You will engage with patients, ensure their comfort, and help enhance their hospital experience. Ideal candidates should possess compassionate communication skills and a willingness to work as part of the team. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in patients' lives within a supportive trust environment.

Qualifications

• Ability to provide companionship and support to patients.
• Willingness to assist staff with meals and drinks.
• Effective communication skills with patients and families.

Responsibilities

• Provide companionship by visiting patients, chatting, and engaging in activities.
• Assist patients during meals, encouraging them to eat and drink.
• Offer end-of-life support along with staff.

Skills

Compassionate communication

Patience

Basic understanding of dementia care

Job description

Make a real difference every day by supporting patients and staff in meaningful ways: Bring Joy & Companionship Spend time visiting patients who may not have visitors. Chat, read, or enjoy activities together. Your presence can brighten someone’s day! Help at Mealtimes Support patients during meals by sitting with them, encouraging them to eat and drink, and ensuring food and drinks are within easy reach.

Responsibilities

• Provide Companionship: Visit patients who may not have visitors. Chat, read, or enjoy activities together.
• Welcome Patients & Visitors: Greet patients, staff, or visitors on arrival and introduce yourself.
• Assist at Mealtimes: Sit with patients to encourage eating and drinking. Help on a 1‑to‑1 basis if needed. Ensure food and drinks are within easy reach.
• End‑of‑Life Support: Offer comfort and support alongside staff for patients at end of life.
• Support Patients with Dementia: Provide reassurance and assistance as guided by staff.
• Accompany Patients: Escort patients to further treatment areas (e.g., X‑ray) when required.
• Facilitate Virtual Visiting: Help patients connect with relatives via phone or video calls.
• Improve Patient Experience: Carry out patient surveys on wards to understand and enhance care.
• Help with Meals & Snacks: Assist the hostess in serving meals and delivering snacks.
• Make Drinks & Tidy Up: Prepare drinks for patients, visitors, and staff. Wash and tidy away crockery/cutlery.
• Keep Bed Areas Tidy: Refill water jugs and maintain a clean, comfortable space.
• Assist with Self‑Care: Lay out toiletries and help patients when they finish.
• Escort Low‑Risk Patients: Walk with patients to the bathroom or around the ward.
• Collect Medications: Pick up prescriptions from the pharmacy.
• Make Shop Purchases: Buy items from the hospital shop on behalf of patients or relatives.

We reserve the right to close positions early.

About the Trust

Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a high performing Trust, currently rated Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and achieving significant progress in the delivery of our strategic objectives, including our ambition to be the best Place to Work. We scored best in the country in the most recent NHS Staff Survey for teamwork, compassionate leadership, and supporting work/life balance. In 2024's survey, the Trust also scored above average in every theme of the NHS People Promise, the promise NHS colleagues make to each other to improve the experience of working in the NHS for everyone. We are proud of the commitment of our colleagues to ensuring a strong and sustainable future and our organisation is highly valued by our local communities. There has never been a better time to join Barnsley Hospital. It is moving at pace and a we can do this attitude is evident right through the organisation. Barnsley Hospital NHS FT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and fair treatment to all applicants. For individuals who may require sponsorship under the skilled worker or health & care visa route please use the link on the right hand side of the advert to check your eligibility; please note that band 2 and 3 entry roles are no longer eligible for sponsorship. The cost of the DBS (criminal records check) for Band 6 and above roles will only be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction.