Hi Ashleigh,

At Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust we have recently created a Peer Support Volunteer role description for volunteers who would be happy to support another volunteer with disabilities or other vulnerabilities to carry out their role if needed, either on a temporary or permanent basis (we haven't actually placed anyone in the role yet as recently created and no requests since). We will recruit Peer Support volunteers as and when they are needed by new volunteers, to ensure that they are suitable for the particular person/situation. Initially, we will try to recruit a Peer Support Volunteer from our existing volunteers as they will have more experience to support another person but we will recruit externally if required.

Alternatively, we have had situations where a support worker has also volunteered alongside their client; in this case, the support worker has also registered as a volunteer so has also gone through our recruitment procedure.

We have also recently placed a wheelchair user in a volunteer receptionist role - reasonable adjustments should be considered as long as it does not place an inordinate strain on staffing or financial resources for the department.

Hi Ashleigh,

We had a volunteer called Paula with CP and used an electric wheelchair. She could verbally communicate without an aid and didn't require a support person. She volunteered in the Meet and Greet role, greeting patients when they arrived and either verbally directing patients to where they needed to be or she'd escort them. She did it for about six years and was great in the role. If a volunteer needs a support person, that support person undertakes all the training, including mandatory and induction on behalf of the volunteer and must always be on duty at the same time as the volunteer to ensure their safety, avoid risks etc and help them in the role. If the support person is provided through an agency, we have a MO with the agency that they've undergone recruitment checks that we are satisfied with, but if it's a family member or friend, we would put them through the trusts onboarding process just like the volunteer. Hope this helps and am happy to discuss further.

@Heather Wright This is a great idea! I considered to perhaps ask her Carer, who is her mother, to perhaps volunteer alongside her to support. I will definitely bring this up with the family! Thank you :)

Hi Ashleigh

At South Tees we have had amazing experience with volunteers who are wheelchair users and have carers with them

We provided adapted training for the volunteer and the carer so in effect both were registered volunteers

Role vary from way finders. postal support for departments to ward based support as in spending time with patients in our long stay wards

It is part of our programme that we have learnt from in terms of adjustments and inclusion and absolutely worth the time to make it work

Debi

How about a conversation with the volunteer to see what they feel they could do? As with all volunteers I try to match them where they want to be can use their skills which helps towards them having a good experience as a volunteer and sustained volunteer placement.