Helpforce Companion – role description

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11th July 2022

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Purpose:

Many people who visit GPs require some extra help and support. This isn’t always available through the GP and so this is where you come in. Are you ready to be a Helpforce Companion?

Helpforce Companions work together as a group to provide wrap-around support to patients at a local GP surgery. You will be working closely with GP staff and local Link Workers. Link Workers work with GP practices to better connect patients with services that are available in the community.

You will be supported by a Helpforce Companions’ coordinator employed by Urban Partnership Group (UPG) and your fellow group members to help local patients in a variety of ways. Perhaps the patient is lonely and needs directing to some local community groups. Perhaps they have lost confidence to attend appointments by themselves and need support reintegrating in the community. Maybe they just need a phone call to remind them of their next appointment.

This role is ideal for those who want variety and for those who want flexibility. You can give as much or as little time as you have.

We will cover any expenses you incur carrying out volunteering tasks.

This role should not affect your state benefits if you are claiming them. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact the Supervisor (details below).

Duties (what you will be doing):

As a Helpforce Companion you can support patients in a wide variety of ways. All activities will be risk assessed and compliant with current COVID 19 restrictions. Activities might include:

  • Going with those individuals to local clubs or voluntary groups – to give them confidence and moral support
  • Attending GP or hospital appointments with them – to ensure they get there on time and to give them the confidence to attend
  • Regaining confidence on public transport and reintegrating back to community
  • Calling people to remind them of their appointments
  • Taking the bus or train with them to ensure they make it to their appointments
  • Doing some shopping with them to ensure that they have enough food in the house
  • Visiting them at home to play games or have a chat over a cup of tea
  • Working in cooperation with the other Helpforce Companions to ensure that the support you provide is coordinated and puts the patients first
  • Reporting to the Helpforce Coordinator, including any concerns or issues

Boundaries (what you won’t be doing):

  • No clinical care of patients, including:
  • No patient feeding
  • No personal care (e.g. toileting or getting patients changed)
  • No cleaning
  • No lifting of heavy equipment
  • No handling of money
  • No exchanging your personal contact details with the person you are helping. If they do need to get in contact about this volunteering scheme, please ask them to contact the Supervisor.

Time commitment:
This role is very flexible and depends on your availability. We do ask for a commitment of around at east 4 hours per month for at least six months. This may be taken up with one visit to the hospital or several phone calls depending on your involvement.

For the full role description please download the attached PDF