IT support / Befriender volunteer: Role description

Purpose / summary of the role

Our Speech and Language Therapy Team support their patients across Westminster to communicate using software which empowers service users to communicate with friends and family.

The technology can take some time to get familiar with and the team would love a volunteer to make regular visits to patients at home to support them to use this tech, increase their confidence and improve their ability to communicate. This is an incredibly fulfilling role with lots of support for volunteers to help make a huge difference to patients’ lives.

General Tasks

• Support with use of technology and tablets to interact with family/friends
• Take time to chat and check on general wellbeing
• Be able to work as a team player

General Duties

• You’ll maintain the highest standards of personal and professional integrity in line with The Trust’s code of conduct
• You’ll practically implement Equal Opportunities in your daily work, ensuring that patients and their families’ diversity and cultural needs are respected, and discrimination or harassment is challenged
• You’ll report any concerns or risks to the ward manager or the Volunteer Manager
• You’ll follow all policies and procedures in relation to your role
• You’ll help out with other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time
• In the event of accidents, emergencies or untoward occurrences, you’ll respond as directed by the Ward/Department lead

Skills & Qualifications

• You’ll be passionate about working with people with language and communication difficulties
• Good communication skills are essential for this role
• You’ll be able to communicate with a diverse audience, including family members of patients
• You’ll be organised and good and time management
• You’ll be friendly and proactive
• You’ll be comfortable volunteering by yourself
• You’ll be able to use your own initiative but be able to ask for help when you need
• You’ll understand the importance of confidentiality

For the full document please download the attached PDF

Image courtesy of Centre for Ageing Better

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