Patient Activity Support volunteer
We’re looking for confident and personable volunteers to support our patients with activity sessions such as chatting, playing board games, discussing the news, quizzes, nail painting, gardening activity, meal-time support, and supporting mobility and exercise sessions.
Mobility and being active are particularly important on our rehabilitation wards. Prolonged hospital stays and bed rest may lead to a loss of muscle strength, flexibility, aerobic capacity, and other functional abilities for patients.
You will be proving an invaluable service helping patients overcome this.
Please note, there are potential risks with this role.
While we can provide PPE and training on strict infection control measures, we cannot alleviate all risk.
We can only offer these roles to people not deemed as being in the 'at risk' group. We will carry out a risk assessment with you to make sure you're suitable for the role.
Location
Oakwood Inpatient Unit, Prospect Park Hospital, Reading
Time
Any day of the week (days flexible) 2pm – 5pm (times flexible)
Key tasks
A large part of this role is about providing a positive distraction – a break in hospital routine for our patients
- Interacting with patients’ across two wards
- Liaising with staff who will guide with ideas and provide resources
- Interacting with patients in groups or 1:1
Skills and personal qualities required
- Must be aged 18 or over to apply
- Have responsibility for health, welfare, and safety for yourself and others (comply with health & safety regulations)
- Be able to respect and maintain patient and staff confidentiality
- Wear volunteer I.D. badge
- Confident and outgoing
- Good communication skills
- Organised and flexible
- Reliable and punctual
What you can gain from the role
- Satisfaction of knowing you have made a positive difference helping our patients in need
- Supporting our busy teams
- Training from the team and a named support contact
- Full local induction and orientation to our wards, and further training as needed
- Mentoring and supervision, and you’ll be offered events and activities to take part in as a volunteer group
Find out more and apply
For further information and to submit your application, please contact Melanie Rubia, Oakwood Unit Manager
Call 0118 960 5933