Volunteer Dementia Support Worker

NHS; Hereford; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A local health organization in Hereford is seeking a Volunteer Dementia Support Worker to assist in providing personalized care for patients with dementia. In this role, you will support care staff, organize activities, and help patients feel engaged and comfortable. The position offers full training and is ideal for compassionate individuals looking to gain care experience. Join a dedicated team in making a positive difference in patients' lives.

Benefits

Full training provided

Mentorship available

Development pathway

Qualifications

• Desire to gain care experience.
• Ability to communicate with sensitivity.
• Must be aged 16 years or over.

Responsibilities

• Support patients living with dementia.
• Assist care staff in providing personal care.
• Facilitate activities for patient engagement.

Skills

Compassion

Reliability

Active listening

Teamwork

Job description

No experience? No problem. If youre on our Volunteer to Career (VtC) programme, well provide full training, mentorship, and a development pathway to help you grow your skills and confidence in a supportive environment.

Main duties of the job

Are you compassionate, reliable, and looking to make a real difference in peoples lives? Join our dedicated team at St Michaels Hospice as a Volunteer Dementia Support Worker. In this rewarding role, youll support patients living with dementia, helping provide personalised care, companionship, and meaningful activities under the guidance of experienced care staff.

About us

St Michael's Hospice is nestled in the stunning Herefordshire countryside, in a state-of-the-art facility. We offer a competitive benefits package. We offer a superb working environment and facility, discounts with local suppliers, individualised training needs analysis, advanced communication skills training, employee counselling service, free tea & coffee, a friendly & welcoming work environment. We are one of the top 100 best not for profit organisations to work for and have been caring to make a difference, to patients living with a terminal illness and their families, across Herefordshire and beyond for 40 years.

Job responsibilities

Location At St Michaels Hospice, Bartestree, Herefordshire. HR1 4HAReports to: Sister / Charge Nurse / Senior Staff NurseRole Purpose: To assist the Care staff in providing high quality, individualised, palliative dementia care. To support the work delivered by the multidisciplinary team, which strives to enable people to live fully until they die.Responsibility Areas:Supporting Care ProvisionAll of the below will be under the direct supervision & guidance of a member of the care team at all times.To assist care staff in the provision of personal careTo contribute towards ensuring a safe & comfortable environment for the patientTo undertake associated housekeeping chores (bed-making, surface cleaning)To provide support to patient with their activities and interests/hobbies (music, reading, discussions)To work as part of a team ensuring patients living with dementia feel engaged and stimulated whilst in our care. Facilitating activities appropriate to individual needsThe following may be undertaken, following appropriate training/guidance and only IF requested to do so by a member of the care team:To assist the care staff in enabling the patient to participate in activities (eg outside in gardens) walking or using a wheelchairTo undertake arts and crafts activities with individual/groups (as long as a member of the care team has completed a risk assessment)To assist a patient at meal times (as long as a member of the care team has completed a risk assessment and specifically delegated this task for this individual to you).CommunicationEstablish & maintain effective communication & working relationships with the Care TeamEnable patients/ relatives/carers to express what matters to them or concerns them, and ensure this information is shared with the care teamRecognise own limitations & that of the role (boundaries) when offering support refer on to care teamReport any concerns you have to the senior member of staff on dutyHealth & safetyAct at all times to promote the safety & wellbeing of patients, visitors & others using the premises in accordance with policies and care staff guidance / instructionsEnsure the environment is free from hazards and kept clean & tidy report any concerns to senior nurse on duty.EducationYou will be expected to attend mandatory training sessions identified as being appropriate to this roleIf enrolled in Volunteer to Career (VtC) programme you will be provided with 60 hours of additional training, full induction programme, an individualised Training Portfolio, and career development support.You will have the potential to attend additional courses appropriate to this role / career progression discussions with Ward Sister / volunteer Co-ordinator / lead Teacher Practitioner.Person SpecificationKnowledge & ExperienceEssentialSome previous experience of a caring role / working in Hospice setting OR if following VtC route no previous experience required, but attendance on VtC induction is essential BEFORE commencing volunteering shiftsCan relate to others.Can communicate with sensitivity and has active listening skills.Works well as part of a team.Is committed and reliable.This post is conditional to an Enhanced (Barred) Disclosure and Barring Service Check.Applicants must be aged 16yrs or over to fulfil VtC requirements.Equal Opportunities StatementAt St Michaels Hospice we are committed to an equal opportunities approach in everything we do. This means that we seek to ensure anyone connected with St Michaels, from patients and families through to donors, supporters, volunteers and staff are treated fairly, appropriately and with dignity and respect.

Person Specification

Experience

• Desire to gain care experience
• Care Experience

Qualifications

• Desire to gain care experience
• Care Experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.