Community Connections Volunteer

Role description

Responsible to:           Director for Community Development

Accountable to:          Head of Volunteering, Learning and Inclusion

Hours:                         Flexible, as agreed with Director for Community Development

We work with our community to lead, provide and influence excellent care so that everyone affected by a life-limiting illness in Swindon and north east Wiltshire can access personalised support whenever and wherever they need it.

As a Community Connections Volunteer, you will be part of a team providing essential community engagement work. This is a supporter-facing role in which you will be working in the community at specific ‘community hub’ locations, raising the profile of Prospect Hospice and encouraging engagement from potential service-users who may not be aware of our services.

One of the aims of our community engagement work is to ensure that people within our surrounding community know that our services are completely free and open to everyone, no matter their gender, sexual orientation, social or ethnic background.

Role responsibilities

• To act as an excellent ambassador for Prospect Hospice, providing up-to-date information about the hospice, its services and referral routes to potential and actual service-beneficiaries.

• To attend agreed number of hours per week at community hub locations, working in a team with other volunteers and hospice staff members to raise the hospice’s profile by talking to community members and handing out various engagement/marketing materials as appropriate.

• To attend meetings with various key stakeholders in the community, presenting what Prospect Hospice is and does, including but not limited to healthcare providers, community groups and organisations, and key councillors.

• To be aware of other services in the community and be able to signpost to them if Prospect Hospice doesn’t provide the appropriate services relevant to the enquiry.

• To maintain basic records to evidence the impact of the role and numbers of community members engaged with – as agreed with the Director for Community Development.

• To actively contribute to the shaping of hospice services and community working by attending regular team meetings, providing feedback regarding the successes and downfalls of community hubs.

Personal responsibilities:

• To undertake a structured induction to learn about the services Prospect Hospice provides, prior to becoming active in the role.
• To retain up-to-date knowledge of the range of services available in Prospect Hospice’s catchment area.
• To display a friendly, caring and professional attitude.
• To adhere to Prospect Hospice lone-working guidelines and out-of-hours procedures for your own safety.
• To adhere to Prospect Hospice’s confidentiality and personal safety policies.
• To be aware of and follow health and safety regulations.
• To attend regular team meetings/in-house training sessions as required.
• To seek help or support when needed.
• To give at least 24 hours notice where possible if you will not be able to fulfil your agreed time commitment.

Volunteers will be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred upon completion of the appropriate claim form.

Skills and Experiences

This role is available to anyone over the age of 18.