Tessa Quinn
Volunteering at NHS hospitals in Bristol is a great way to gain experience in the healthcare sector, support staff, and enhance the patient experience. There are a variety of volunteer roles available at the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, North Bristol NHS Trust, and Bristol Health Volunteers. These roles include adult volunteer programs, junior volunteer programs for students, and spiritual care volunteers. Volunteers can contribute by assisting with directions and providing information, escorting patients, offering companionship, and supporting caregivers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Volunteer opportunities | Information Desk Volunteers, Patient and Guest Escort, Spiritual Care Volunteers, Hospice Volunteers, Patient Representative/Safety Support Volunteers, Junior Volunteers, Adult Volunteer Program |
| Volunteer activities | Welcoming visitors, assisting with directions, providing information about the hospital, greeting and escorting patients, providing spiritual support, offering companionship to patients, supporting caregivers and families, assisting with patient transport, talking to patients |
| Volunteer benefits | Personally rewarding experience, making a real difference, feeling valued, gaining meaningful experience, exploring different careers in healthcare |
| Requirements | Age requirement for Junior Volunteers (15 years of age), application, interview, school reference, medical information |
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What You'll Learn
Junior volunteer roles
Junior Volunteers must be 15 years of age and work in most departments within the hospital. The program provides an invaluable experience for young adults, allowing them to explore different careers in healthcare. Junior Volunteers report to the hospital after school and work until 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. There is also a Summer Junior Volunteer Program, where volunteers work from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday to Friday.
The application process for the Junior Volunteer Program includes completing an application form, participating in an interview conducted by Volunteer Services, and providing a School Reference Form and Medical Information Form.
Junior Volunteers can expect to gain experience in a hospital setting and learn about the different careers available in healthcare. They may be assigned to work in various departments, including the Information Desk, where they welcome visitors, provide directions, and answer phone inquiries. Another possible role is the Patient and Guest Escort, where they greet and escort patients and visitors throughout the hospital, sometimes using wheelchairs.
In addition to gaining valuable experience and exploring career options, Junior Volunteers also make a meaningful contribution to the hospital. Their donation of time and service is vital to the success of Bristol Health, helping to enhance the patient experience and make the hospital a special place.
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Adult volunteer roles
Volunteers are an integral part of the Bristol Health Volunteers team, contributing their time and skills to enhance patient experience and support staff. The Adult Volunteer Program engages volunteers for shifts of two to four hours per day, for up to five days a week. Adult volunteer roles are designed to be personally rewarding, allowing individuals to make a tangible difference in the lives of patients and their loved ones.
One such role is that of the Information Desk Volunteer. These volunteers are often the first point of contact for visitors, providing directions and sharing information about the hospital. They also assist with patient inquiries and ensure that visitors have a positive experience during their time at the hospital.
Another vital role is that of the Patient and Guest Escort, who helps patients and visitors navigate the hospital. They provide assistance by escorting and transporting individuals, including those in wheelchairs, to their destinations. This role is crucial in ensuring that patients and guests can efficiently access the various departments and services within the hospital.
Bristol Health also offers the position of Spiritual Care Volunteer, providing spiritual support to patients, families, and staff. Working under the guidance of the Hospital or Hospice Chaplain, these volunteers offer a confidential space for individuals to explore matters of the heart, mind, soul, and spirit. They aim to bring hope, purpose, meaning, and a sense of connectedness to those they serve.
Additionally, Hospice Volunteers dedicate their time to hospice patients and their families. They provide companionship and support through a variety of activities, such as reiki, music, playing cards, reading, or simply sitting quietly with patients. Hospice Volunteers receive comprehensive training in basic hospice principles and end-of-life care to effectively fulfil their roles.
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Hospice volunteering
Volunteers are an integral part of the Bristol Health Hospice Care team, providing companionship and support to patients and their families. Hospice volunteers are trained in basic hospice principles and end-of-life care, and they offer their time and skills to enhance the patient experience.
Hospice Volunteer Roles
Patient Representative/Safety Support Volunteers are the first point of contact for new patients and their families. They introduce them to the Patient Relations Program and the Patient Bill of Rights, offering support and resources while ensuring their needs are met.
Hospice Neighbour Volunteers provide social and practical support to patients, helping them maintain a good quality of life. This may include running errands, assisting with discharges, or simply providing comfort and companionship.
Spiritual Care Volunteers, under the guidance of the Hospice Chaplain, offer a confidential and sacred space for patients, families, and staff to explore matters of the heart, mind, soul, and spirit. They aim to bring hope, purpose, meaning, and connectedness to those they serve.
Reiki Volunteers are certified practitioners who provide gentle, hands-on healing touch and relaxation techniques to patients, offering an alternative form of comfort and support.
Fundraising Volunteers are also crucial to the success of the hospice. They help organise and participate in a wide range of fun and exciting events to raise much-needed funds for the hospice's operations and patient care.
Getting Started as a Hospice Volunteer
To become a hospice volunteer in Bristol, you can reach out to organisations such as St Peter's Hospice or Bristol Health Volunteers. These organisations provide training and support for volunteers, ensuring they are well-equipped to serve the community.
The application process typically involves completing an application form, participating in an interview, and providing any necessary medical information and references.
By volunteering at a hospice, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their loved ones while also gaining valuable skills and experiences.
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$13.02 $19
Spiritual care volunteering
Volunteers are an integral part of Bristol Health and North Bristol NHS Trust, and their service helps make the hospital a very special place. Spiritual Care Volunteers are spiritual companions who work under the direction of the Hospital or Hospice Chaplain. They provide a confidential and sacred space for patients, families, and staff to process matters of the heart, mind, soul and spirit.
Spiritual Care Volunteers bring hope, purpose, meaning and connectedness to the bedside. They must be open to the many cultural, spiritual, faith-based, non-faith-based and religious values held by patients. Their role is to walk "alongside" someone in need of encouragement, a listening ear, prayer, and/or reassurance. Their tools could be reading from sacred texts, life experiences, an interest in various spiritualities and practices, CPE training and more.
Volunteers in this role can serve in the hospital or on the hospice team. They support patients and families by being there to listen, pray, and provide comfort and companionship. Volunteers must be 15 years of age and are assigned to work in most departments within the hospital. The program provides invaluable experience for young adults.
The Junior Volunteer Program has two offerings: the Academic Year Program, which is coordinated with high school students, and the Summer Junior Volunteer Program, which runs during the summer holidays. Both programs allow young people to gain valuable experience in a hospital setting and explore different careers in healthcare.
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Patient and guest escort volunteering
Volunteers at Bristol Health make a valuable contribution to patients, carers, relatives, visitors and staff. The Adult Volunteer Program offers shifts of two to four hours per day, and volunteers can work one or more days or evenings per week.
Patient and Guest Escort volunteers greet, escort or transport patients and visitors (by wheelchair) throughout the hospital. Volunteers in this role will welcome visitors, assist with directions, and provide information about the hospital to guests, as well as giving patient information and answering phone inquiries. Patient escorts also ensure that patients' personal items are within reach and that they understand how to use their call bells.
Volunteers must be aged 15 or over and will need to complete an application form and interview process. The Junior Volunteer Program is designed to provide young adults with a meaningful experience and to explore different careers in healthcare. The Summer Junior Volunteer Program runs from 8:00 am–2:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
If you would like to find out more about volunteering at Bristol Health, you can contact the Volunteer Team for further information.
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Frequently asked questions
Adult volunteers at Bristol Health can take on a variety of roles, including:
- Information Desk Volunteer: Welcoming visitors, providing directions and information about the hospital, and answering phone inquiries.
- Patient and Guest Escort: Greeting and escorting patients and visitors around the hospital.
- Spiritual Care Volunteer: Providing spiritual support and companionship to patients, families, and staff under the direction of a Chaplain.
- Receiving and Distribution Volunteer: Assisting with the delivery of packages and supplies to different departments.
- Hospice Volunteer: Sharing time and talents with hospice patients and their families, offering companionship and support through activities like reiki, music, reading, etc.
Adult volunteers usually work shifts ranging from two to four hours per day and can choose to work one or more days/evenings per week based on their availability and scheduling needs.
Yes, Bristol Health offers a Junior Volunteer Program for students aged 15 and above. This program allows students to gain experience in a healthcare setting and explore different career paths. Junior volunteers typically work after school from Monday to Friday until 4:00 PM during the academic year, and from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM during the summer.
To apply for a volunteer position at Bristol Health, you need to complete an application form and email it to [email protected]. You will then be invited for an interview conducted by the Volunteer Services team. Additionally, you will need to provide a School Reference Form completed by a Guidance Counselor and a Medical Information Form signed by your physician.
