Help at Home Volunteer

EAST ANGLIA'S CHILDREN'S HOSPICES - Volunteer Role Description

Role: Help at Home Volunteer

Supervisor: Volunteer Coordinator

Purpose: Caring for a seriously ill child or young person can put extra demands on a family. The aim of this service is to offer these families practical support in their own homes.

EACH Values:

Empathy and understanding - understanding the view and feelings of others is central to our work relationships and how we interact daily. We actively encourage unique perspectives, backgrounds and experiences of others, fostering an environment where all voices feel valued.

Commitment to quality - we consistently employ our best efforts and strive for the highest standards in everything that we do, always looking for ways to improve.

Open and respectful - we operate in an honest, respectful and collaborative way, encourage open constructive feedback and celebrate diverse viewpoints. We are mindful of the power of our words, actions and biases, and hold ourselves accountable to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

Make it happen - we are empowered to take responsibility for getting things done.

Key Activities

This role does not include nursing care tasks such as personal care, feeding or giving medication. These tasks must not be undertaken by a volunteer.

You can let us know what household/practical tasks you would rather help with and we will match you with a family who has asked for that kind of help. Tasks could include:

• Cleaning/vacuuming/dusting

• Laundry/ironing

• Cooking/food preparation

• Gardening/mowing the lawn

• Painting/decorating/odd jobs

• Helping with homework/playing with siblings

• Walking the dog etc.

• Having a cup of tea and a chat/being a listening ear

Personal Qualities/Attributes

• You need to be over 18 for this particular role (although there are other opportunities at EACH if you are under 18)

• This role is perfect for practical, friendly and caring people who are looking to make a real difference

• We ask that you are non-judgmental and willing to get stuck into jobs in the family home

• We ask that you try to commit for 6 months once you are matched with a family but we understand that circumstances change

• Being reliable and flexible is important for families

• We would like you to be able to have good communication with the family and with your Volunteer Coordinator

What will you get out of it?

You will make a difference to a family who need an extra helping hand in the home. You will also meet new people, receive all the training you need, and have regular catch ups with your Volunteer coordinator. This role is ideal for anyone with any time to give and for those thinking of a career in care giving.

We will reimburse any travel expenses to and from your chosen hospice base and to and from the family home.

Supervision: You will be invited to attend a number of group supervisions each year designed to support you and allow you to meet other volunteers.

Location: Training and supervision will take place at your chosen local EACH hospice. Family homes are all over Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex so we will try to match you with a family near to your home.

Time commitment: We are very flexible about the times you can visit a family and just ask that you let us know your availability so that we can match that with a family.

Recruitment process: We would like to meet you for an informal chat following receipt of your application form. You will be guided through an enhanced DBS check with volunteer services. You will then be invited to undertake a hybrid training and induction, some of which will be completed online, followed by a morning at the hospice.