Volunteer Companion (Ayrshire)

• No-One Dies Alone (SA)

• VO84599

NODA Ayrshire works to support members of the community to help each other at the end of life. We offer support across the three Ayrshire Local Authority areas.

The volunteer companion will provide bedside support/vigiling to those who are dying and alone and provide support or respite to those with families who need it. They will work fluidly, responding promptly to WhatsApp messages on the Rota Chat and replying whenever they can help. They will respond to emails promptly. They will read the guidelines in this role description and adhere to them at all times. They will attend training. They will provide evaluation feedback sheets to the Service Manager (lead) after training, and after each vigil. In addition they must provide details to the lead after any particularly challenging situations and confirm once they have received peer support, after each vigil.

Main Responsibilities

1 To vigil and/or support any person that requires it following a referral being received.
2 To operate at all times within the guidelines and the policies, practice and ethos of No-one Dies Alone Ayrshire.
3 To regularly engage with the Service Manage through promptly responding to communications as soon as possible.
4 Maintain strict confidentiality, for all parties, and to sign and adhere to the confidentiality agreement.
5 To read through and watch the Samaritan’s training on listening (details provided below).
6 To familiarise themselves with Health Protection Scotland (HPS) guidance on infection control procedures and adhere to them.
7 The Volunteer Companion, in common with all staff and volunteers, has a duty to protect supported individuals from abuse and to report any concerns immediately to the lead, and where appropriate to the police.
8 All volunteers also have a duty to ensure they comply with requirements under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. They should familiarise themselves with the organisation’s policies and procedures and work within the policy framework including Confidentiality, Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities and Code of Conduct.

Experience required

Personal specification

1 Preferable previous experience of working with people and the ability to engage individuals.
2 A friendly, caring and approachable manner with good verbal communication skills.
3 Emotionally mature as well as being reliable and trustworthy.
4 Ability to act on own initiative within the boundaries of the role description.

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