Volunteer Living Well Support

• Ayrshire Hospice

• VO101709

The Ayrshire Hospice provides excellence in palliative and end of life care for patients and their families.
We support people who are aged 16 years and over, who have a diagnosis that is life limiting - this includes respiratory and heart diseases, neurological conditions as well as cancers and other illnesses.
In addition, our Family Care Team also support children and young people – as well as the wider family unit – with counselling and bereavement services.
Where necessary, we provide a seamless transition from young adult hospice services to our care. Our care seeks to improve quality of life in various ways, for example; we support and advise on symptom control, provide emotional and spiritual care, social care and we provide personal care when it is needed at the end of life.
We also have pharmacy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy specialist services as well as our much-valued complementary therapy and Respite and Response services. Care is provided in a number of places including NHS Ayrshire and Arran hospitals, care homes and people’s own homes as well as in our In-Patient Unit and Living Well Hubs.
In fact, we can provide care anywhere a person considers their home to be, regardless of the complexities associated with this.
Family members, close friends and carers are also supported both during a person’s illness and in bereavement.

The Role
This role is pivotal in supporting those living in our communities to live well with their illness. We currently do this in a variety of ways – face to face in our Hubs, online via zoom, and via activity packs in the post. This role plays a crucial part in keeping our services and activities running, where our volunteers provide that extra mile of support, effort and care. You could support us in any or all of these formats.
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds and walks of life. We value the unique perspective you bring to our team.

Key Responsibilities
Face-to-face volunteers
Assist in setting up the hub - completing safety checklists, preparing environment including refreshments
Meet and greet people attending the Hub to be as independent as possible
Support the team on the day with activities – If you have a special skill such as art or music, this could be your contribution.
Assist to close down the Hub
Enable people to learn about technology and access online support
Co-deliver activities, supported by a member of the living well team, in a topic that interests you e.g. creative writing, book club, music, meditation or just for a social chat.

Online Volunteers
Postal pack volunteers (posted once a month)
Support administration tasks including monthly activity packs

All volunteers
Attend relevant training and team meetings
Adhere to the relevant policies and procedures of the hospice

What You Will Gain
The opportunity to use your existing skills to help others, while also learning and developing new ones.
The opportunity to support people, and their Carers, to participate in activities that enable people to feel empowered to enjoy activities that matter to them
An opportunity to gain experience in the charity sector.
The chance to take on a new challenge and meet new people.
The satisfaction of making a difference in your community.
Training and support to carry out your role.
Reimbursement of expenses in accordance with our volunteer expenses policy.

If you’re enthusiastic about volunteering and want to make a meaningful impact in your community, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today to join our team and help us capture the heart of the Ayrshire Hospice. Please complete our enquiry form, which can be found on our website:
Alternatively, call 01292 269200 to request a paper copy of the enquiry form. All successful applicants will be expected to attend a ‘get to know you chat’ and training before being appointed as an Ayrshire Hospice volunteer.

Experience required

The Ayrshire Hospice welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Experience is not essential for this role, but ideally you should demonstrate:
An understanding and commitment to the ethos of palliative care – nonjudgmental, accepting, patient, empathetic.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to relate well to people using the
service and hospice staff
Possess a sensitive and calm approach to situations
Ability to be responsive to patient needs as they arise
Responsible and reliable
If relevant – a skill such as art, music, book club facilitation, meditation/ relaxation
Ability to keep up to date with hospice service provision developments
Willingness to uphold the values of the hospice

Travel details

travel expenses are paid

Travel expenses

travel costs refunded

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