Volunteer Inpatient Befriender

Job overview

This is a volunteering role at within our over 50's Male Adult Inpatient Mental Health Services.  We are looking for a friendly, and enthusiastic person who has knowledge of Mental Health to visit patients on our ward and give them time to express their thoughts and feelings

If you want to gain experience, improve your job prospects, or just want to give some of your time to help others, this volunteering role could be for you!

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

This role is intended to help improve patients own feeling of wellbeing by giving them your time and through communication, discussion, available resources e.g. newspapers, games, and encouraging engagement in therapeutic activity.

What the role involves:

• To build trusting relationships with identified patients.
• Use a language that you have in common with the patient
• To allow patient time to express themselves.
• To give patients regular designated time if required.
• To encourage and support identified patients to interact.
• To encourage participation and give individuals support with the therapeutic programme.
• To support patients to provide feedback on their experience.

DBS Level for this role is:  Enhanced with adult barred list

The knowledge, skills and attributes required for the role:

• Knowledge of Mental Health
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to effectively engage patients, carers and staff
• Ability to use own initiative
• An awareness of how to maintain confidentiality
• Punctuality and reliability.

What we hope you gain from the role

• Our thanks and appreciation
• New skills and knowledge
• Satisfaction from helping others

Please note: To meet our Trust’s safeguarding obligations applicants for this volunteer role must be aged 18 or over.

We offer opportunities in other services for people aged 16 and 17, please contact the volunteer service to discuss these roles