volunteer wearing purple polo shirt chatting with a patient holding a cup of tea

Patient Befriender

Purpose 

This role provides company and companionship to suitable patients, spending time with them on the wards, engaging in conversation or activities, with the support and supervision of ward staff.

Patient Befriender volunteers will enhance the patient experience and help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

This role can be combined alongside the mealtime Companion volunteer role.

Commitment level

3-4 hours, weekly or fortnightly for a minimum of 6 months

Shifts available 7 days a week.  Approximately 10.00am-2.00pm or 4.00pm-7.00pm

Summary of duties

•    Speak to the nurse in charge upon arrival, who will provide information on what patient to offer befriending support
•    Provide companionship to patients by talking and listening to them
•    Encourage patients to participate in social and recreational activities, such as reading, doing a jigsaw, sharing a crossword, playing cards, or other appropriate activities that appeal to the patient
•    If you would like to do a creative or a musical activity with the patient, please consult Volunteer Services so that the activities align with Fresh Arts Guidelines
•    Prompt patients to make their menu choices for the next day’s meals
•    Chat with carers and signpost to the hospital’s carers liaison service, where appropriate
•    Notify the appropriate staff member if the patient would like refreshments, or assistance 
•    Escalate any concerns immediately to a member of staff

Skills, experience, attitudes, and qualities needed

Essential

•    Excellent listening skills and a non-judgmental attitude
•    A friendly and open manner
•    To feel comfortable in an acute hospital environment
•    To adhere to the Trust values of treating others with respect at all times
•    Understand the importance to stay within the boundaries of the role description

Desirable

•    Experience working with people with cognitive impairments or dementia
•    Experience working with people with autism or a learning disability 

Training and information provided

•    Volunteer mandatory training programme (please find further information on our FAQs page)
•    Department orientation and induction
•    Specialist training if required, such as Dementia Level 2
•    Shadowing induction sessions with an existing volunteer or staff member demonstrating the role.
•    Ongoing supervision and support 
•    Ongoing updates and information

Challenges of the position

•    Coming into hospital can be an anxious time for patients and their relatives. Sometimes this may make people less tolerant than they might usually be and they may come across as impolite. It is important that the volunteer remains calm and listens politely and seeks staff support immediately if required.
•    Potentially supporting patients with cognitive impairments or dementia (around 25% of inpatients at NBT have dementia), additional training and support will be provided. 

Boundaries of the position

Our patients are at the heart of everything we do. This role is to improve the patient experience and providing companionship is the key objective of this role. This role will not involve tasks to support the housekeeper. 

Volunteering within the NHS has clear boundaries to ensure that we are keeping our patients and volunteers safe. Please download the detailed role description below for further details. 

Reimbursement of expenses

•    Travel expenses to and from the hospital can be reimbursed
•    Meal vouchers for use in the staff Vu restaurant are offered if volunteering for over 4 consecutive hours in one day

Benefits of volunteering

•    Gain practical volunteer experience and learn about the healthcare environment 
•    Develop skills and experience that may be transferable to paid employment, such as working as a part of a team
•    Opportunity to help/support patients during a difficult time
•    References can be provided on completion of three months volunteering, if required
•    Ongoing support and supervision sessions
•    Making friends with other volunteers and meeting new people
•    Awards in recognition of volunteering contribution
•    Light refreshments when on duty
•    Free parking

Recruitment information

You will be asked to provide two independent references from people who have known you for more than three years (this cannot be a family member).

You will also need to have a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for this role, which will be paid for by the Trust.

How to apply

If you would like to apply for this volunteer opportunity, please click the link below to be taken to the application portal, where you will be able to apply online: 

Current Vacancies | North Bristol NHS Trust (nbt.nhs.uk)

If you would like an alternative method to apply, such as a paper application form, please get in touch with us directly on: 

Telephone Number: 0117 414 0110

Email: Volunteer.services@nbt.nhs.uk

Postal Address: Volunteer Services, North Bristol NHS Trust, Brunel building, Level 1, Gate 18, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB