Supporting returning volunteers: Peer Support Volunteer role

Voluntary Services

Role Description & Person Specification

Volunteer Role

Peer Support Volunteer

Responsible to

ESHT Voluntary Services Team

Area/Department

Voluntary Services

Purpose

To contact ESHT volunteers who have been shielding during the Covid period to:

• Check on their well-being and possibly identify any practical/emotional support they may require
• Discuss their thoughts and possible concerns on returning to volunteering within the hospital
• Manage expectations in relation to returning as a volunteer. For example, previous volunteering roles may no longer exist, is there a willingness to explore a different volunteering opportunity

To support volunteers in preparation for returning to the post Covid hospital environment

Advise of changes in hospital procedures and protocols such as the wearing of surgical face masks when inside the building; find out if they would like to return and what support they may require to help them

Why we need your help?

You will help Voluntary Services team to contact each of our volunteers who have been unable to volunteer with us over the last 12 months, since March 2020, many of who have needed to shield due to Covid.

Essential requirements

• Occupational Health Clearance
• DBS – Enhanced
• Covid-19 Personal Risk Assessment

Key Tasks

• With the support from Voluntary Services Co-ordinator(s) (VSC) telephone registered Trust volunteers using contact details provided by the VSC
• Follow guided conversation to
• Introduce yourself and reason for the telephone call asking if it is convenient to continue
• Explain any information provided during the conversation will be treated in accordance with the Trust’s Information Governance and Confidentiality policy
• Using a provided script/list of questions as a basis for the conversation, record responses to key questions on spreadsheet as provided by Voluntary Services, including decision to either return as a volunteer, defer this decision to a later date or to cease volunteering

Additional Information

• You will be volunteering in the hospital’s Voluntary Services office alongside a VSC
• You will be supported to understand and follow confidentiality and data protection as well as safeguarding

Who/What we are looking for

• Good conversational and listening skills and demonstrate empathy
• Confidence to manage challenging conversations
• An ability to work independently but also stay within the role’s boundaries – recognising when to seek advice or report concerns
• Self-motivated and able to organise time effectively
• Good at summarising and noting down information accurately and concisely; use of spreadsheets
• A good understanding of confidentiality

Your Safety and Protection

Social distancing is in place throughout the hospital environment to ensure the safety and protection of all

A surgical disposable face mask must be worn when travelling through the hospital and its corridors. Masks should be disposed of in the provided and marked clinical waste bins located at the exits of the hospital building on departure.

Regular hand sanitising must be carried out using the provided hand gel either from wall dispensers or the mobile sanitising stations found throughout the hospital

The desks in the VS offices are positioned in such a way that two people can work in the office without having to wear a face mask continuously. However it is the individual’s choice whether to wear a mask during their time in the office.

Clinell wipes (these are available in the offices) should be used to wipe down the desk surfaces, telephone and arms of the desk chair both before starting to work and when the shift finishes

Days and Hours

A minimum of one 3 hour shift is required per week

Conquest: Mon, Weds, Thurs, Fri, 10.00 – 13.00

Training and Support

How you will be supported in your role: The Voluntary Services Co-ordinator on duty will be working alongside you in the office during your shift and will act as your main point of contact to support you, answer questions and provide help when you need it.

Training as identified by the Voluntary Services Team

Understanding safety measures relating to Covid-19

You will receive a Volunteers’ Handbook – which includes information on Health and Safety, Information Governance, Fire Safety, Infection Control, Equality and Diversity, Moving and Handling and Safeguarding.

Voluntary Services will be providing you with a guide to on-line training resources for key areas of training, as set out in your Volunteers’ Handbook, also further training identified as required by your role.

Volunteers in this role will be invited to join Volunteer Peer Support meetings which are remote; you will be supported on how to utilise Microsoft TEAMS to join meetings.