Public Involvement Partnership Group (PIPG) Volunteer

• NHS Borders (HQ)

• VO106243

PIPG Volunteers contribute to NHS Borders’ commitment to meaningful public involvement. Volunteers bring lived experience, community insight and balanced perspectives to ensure that service development, engagement activity and decision making reflect the needs of patients, carers and the wider community. Their role supports transparency, inclusivity and the continuous improvement of services. Volunteers are not expected to provide advocacy, personal advice or clinical guidance.
OUTLINE OF ROLE:
PIPG Volunteers contribute to NHS Borders’ commitment to meaningful public involvement. Volunteers bring lived experience, community insight and balanced perspectives to ensure that service development, engagement activity and decision making reflect the needs of patients, carers and the wider community. Their role supports transparency, inclusivity and the continuous improvement of services. Volunteers are not expected to provide advocacy, personal advice or clinical guidance.
KEY TASKS:
o Contribute to discussions within the Public Involvement Partnership Group (PIPG)
o Review and comment on service proposals, patient information and public engagement plans
o Support scrutiny of how engagement activity is undertaken across NHS Borders
o Participate in workshops, focus groups or short life working groups where required
o Share lived experience and balanced perspectives while maintaining confidentiality
o Build positive working relationships with staff and other volunteers

Experience required

SKILLS & QUALITIES REQUIRED:
o Ability to listen to varied viewpoints and offer thoughtful contributions
o Interest in improving health services for local communities
o Respect for confidentiality, boundaries and equality, diversity and inclusion
o Confidence in group discussion (support provided)
o Ability to prepare for meetings by reading background papers
o Willingness to work collaboratively as part of a group

Travel details

Borders General Hospital
Address: Huntlyburn Terrace, Melrose, TD6 9BS
Main switchboard: 01896 826000
Travelling by car
The hospital is just outside Melrose, directly off the A6091.
From the East (e.g. A68)
• Take the A68 towards Jedburgh.
• At the junction with the A6091, follow signs for Melrose / Galashiels.
• Continue on the A6091 for approximately 3 miles.
• The hospital is signposted on the left.
From Galashiels or the A7
• Follow signs for Hawick (A7).
• At Kingsknowes Roundabout

Travel expenses

A volunteer should not be out of pocket for expenses they incur from volunteering. As a guide, a volunteer can claim the following types of expense:
• Travelling to and from your place of volunteering (agreed with the Volunteer Lead prior to commencing volunteering)
• Parking fees (this does not include fines or charges obtained as a result of not adhering to parking regulations, within or out with NHS Borders)
• Travel in the course of volunteering
• Entrance fees e.g., when helping with patient outings
• Subsistence allowance, e.g., refreshment costs where the volunteering has been in excess of five hours (unless other arrangements agreed in advance)
NHS Borders encourages the use of environmentally friendly travel, for example, walking, cycling and public transport where appropriate.
To claim agreed out of pocket expenses a claim form should be complete and any receipts attached. The Volunteer Lead will provide you with the appropriate form and information on where to return this. Please note that expenses will only be paid within the boundaries of NHS Borders. You must submit your travel expenses claim form each month. Any expenses not claimed after 3 months will be paid at the discretion of our Finance Department.

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