Volunteering Service Guide: Mealtime Support

A mealtime support volunteer service supports patients on wards in an acute setting. Through a variety of specific meal time tasks, the volunteers play a crucial role in the hospital in helping to support the wellbeing of patients and reduce the risk of malnutrition/dehydration, which is a vital part of a patient's recovery.

This guide uses learning from the Dining Companion Service being delivered in the Salford Care Organisation. The purpose of the guide is to provide a potential service adopter with the information needed to be able to:

a) Decide if the service would be of benefit to their organisation

b) Understand what considerations are needed to adapt the service to their environment