Palliative, End of Life and Bereavement Care: Volunteers Role Description
Tags: Guidance, Template
2nd November 2022
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Thank you to South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust for sharing this role description.
Community Children’s Nursing (CCN) Team
Palliative, End of Life and Bereavement Care Volunteers Role Description
Accountable to:
CCNT Lead Nurse for Volunteers, CCN Team Manager and SWFT Volunteer Coordinator
Roles and Responsibilities:
This is a real opportunity to be able to make a difference and help families that are facing the most traumatic and difficult time of their life. It will be a very rewarding experience but will require the ability to make a firm commitment and should not be undertaken lightly.
What we ask of you:
To be aged over 18 years.
To undergo enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.
To have a minimum of 12 month’s experience of face to face volunteering with families or a minimum of 12 month’s experience of work with individuals experiencing death or bereavement.
To be able to commit to volunteer work for at least 12 months.
To be able to commit up to a full morning/ afternoon/ evening to any request.
To be able to work flexibly according to a family’s needs.
To undertake mandatory training and dedicated training required for the role, both online and face to face.
To attend regular supervision sessions.
To be a good listener and like helping people.
To be able to work as part of a team with families, other volunteers and CCN Team members.
To observe the policies and procedures of SWFT, in particular Confidentiality, Security, Safeguarding and Health & Safety.
It would be great if you can drive but not essential.
To dress appropriately for the role.
To speak up if you feel uncomfortable in the role.
What you can expect of us:
Full training for the role.
Membership of a supportive, friendly team.
Regular communication and updates.
24hr access to support and advice.
Regular opportunities to debrief and have supervision.
A uniform and PPE where appropriate/ required.
Remuneration for mileage and/or other expenses.
Activities may include:
Practical Support such as housework/ shopping/ ironing/ gardening/ decorating.
Support for all/ any family members, including siblings.
Someone to talk to/ active Listening during the palliative/end of life phase of the child or young person’s illness.
Collecting and delivering equipment and/or medicines.
Transport.
Overnight sitting service, working closely with the CCN Team.
Help with planning or preparing for a funeral – including help to access grants towards cost.
Bereavement Support.
Signposting to other agencies where more formal bereavement support is needed.
Involvement in bereavement support group work (parents/ mums/ dads/ grandparents/siblings)
involvement in an annual Celebration of Remembrance event for all bereaved Families to remember their child.
Other activities felt to be appropriate to meet the needs of the family.
Feedback to Volunteer Coordinator/ the child/young person’s named nurse of any relevant issues or concerns.
Record-keeping.
For a PDF version of the document please download the attachment.