Health and Care A&E Volunteer (First Call A&E Volunteer Southmead Hospital)

at  British Red Cross Volunteer

You will be providing emotional and practical support to adult patients, their relatives and NHS staff in the A&E department and in queuing ambulances. This role involves volunteering in a fast-paced A&E department. The service operates 10am-8pm Monday-Sunday, including bank holidays. We would like you to volunteer: - Minimum one 2-hour slot a week in A&E for 12 months and to keep up to date on required training. - Able to adopt a person-centred approach. - Able to support any person we support in a calm, empathetic and reflective manner, creating a safe and open space. - Reliable and able to consistently follow processes that relate to the role. - Calm and resourceful - Can work independently and as part of a team. - Are available to undertake the required e-learning modules and Zoom training sessions within the first few months of volunteering (as detailed in the Learning Pathway attached) plus other specific training as required. Due to the nature of this role, applicants must undergo an Enhanced with Adults barred Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Diversity is something we celebrate. We want you to be able to bring your authentic self to the Red Cross and feel that you belong. We want to create an inclusive environment, and promote and spread the power of kindness. As part of creating an inclusive space we have an expenses policy that prioritises volunteers not being out of pocket for expenses linked to your role. If up front costs are difficult, you can speak to your volunteering manager about this to find alternatives. We welcome refugees, asylum seekers and others currently in the UK to volunteer with us. We want volunteering to be accessible to everyone. Health and Safety Statement We take an individual approach to ensuring your safety. We may ask you to complete a simple risk assessment and will also have a conversation with you to discuss and identify any adjustments you may need. If you have any questions before applying, please contact us at volunteerrecruitment@redcross.org.uk
Why we want you: If you are compassionate and like helping and meeting people, then this could be the role for you. Volunteers, like you, will help provide practical and emotional support to service users and their relatives during what could be a distressing and vulnerable time, as well as supporting the NHS staff within the department.
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Tasks: Providing emotional support for patients and relatives waiting for or receiving treatment
Giving emotional support and pastoral care to people, including queuing ambulances
Helping improve patients’ experience via emotional support, practical tasks such as providing refreshments, contacting family members etc.
Signposting patients, relatives, and NHS staff to other services.
Assisting with lunch, tea rounds and other practical tasks such as assisting with hot and cold food, hot tea trolley, etc
Being on your feet in a fast paced environment and undertaking a variety of tasks such as going to the pharmacy, replenishing stock etc.
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Skills: Warm and friendly with empathy for others.
Good communication skills.
Encouraging and supportive.
Can work independently and as a part of a team.
Able to commit to a regular shift.
Able to volunteer in a busy and emotionally challenging environment
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Benefits: Meet new people and be part of a dynamic and inclusive team.
A great opportunity to develop your existing skills and gain new ones.
All training and induction for the role (there is no charge for training).
Reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses for the role including for attending training.
An opportunity to be part of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation and the knowledge that you are making a difference to people’s lives.

Please refer the Job description for details