Befriender Volunteer ( Three Counties Hospice)

Who we are
A parent never imagines their child will be diagnosed with a life limiting or life threatening condition. But when the unimaginable happens, Acorns Children’s Hospice steps in.Our dedicated teams provide specialist tailored care, including complex medical care, short breaks and emotional and practical support for babies, children and young people and their families, at our three hospices in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester as well as in the community.

Why we need you
When children come to Acorns for day care activities and respite stays they enjoy a wide range of activities. The activities are fully inclusive for all our children, many of whom are non-verbal with multiple and complex disabilities. Our Befriending Volunteers are vital in helping staff provide fun, engaging and positive experiences for all our children during their stay in the hospice.

What you will be doing

• Befriending Volunteers engage with Acorns children by supporting them to play and have fun. Whether it’s helping a child to experience the Sensory Room, enjoying messy time with arts and crafts activities, making some noise during a music session or sitting quietly reading a story, our Befriending Volunteers are at the very heart of what Acorns does. Volunteering alongside our team of professional nurses, healthcare assistants and play workers, our Befriending Volunteers will enjoy:
• Spending time with our children, helping them to engage in and enjoy a wide range of activities
• Helping staff set up and clear away arts and crafts and other activities

• Chatting and interacting with the children, staff and other volunteers

  
  Am I right for the role?

• 17+ years old
• Be welcoming and friendly with a warm and engaging
  manner
• Have good communication skills
• Be comfortable in a hospice setting, with children
  who may have complex disabilities and may be
  receiving end of life care
• Be sensitive to the needs of our children, young people and families
• Be reliable
• Be confident to be able to ask for advice, assistance and support when you’re volunteering at the hospice and not sure how to handle a situation
• Be willing to learn about the importance of confidentiality, boundaries and safeguarding within Acorns

Why volunteer at Acorns?

• Make a difference to the work we do and help to improve the lives of children with life limiting or life threatening conditions
• Enable our children and their families to enjoy activities together or individually and make memories
• Connect with like-minded people and make new friends
• Enhance your CV by learning new skills and gaining valuable experience
• We’ll give you a reference for future work or volunteering
• Invites to social events and participation in our volunteer recognition schemes and awards
• Access to our free online training to support and develop your volunteering

• Travel expenses available

  How much time will it take?

• We ask our volunteers for a commitment of at least one year where possible
• Volunteers are encouraged to volunteer weekly
• Volunteering sessions last for two hours and volunteers are welcomed at the hospice from 10.30am to 7pm
• There are currently very limited opportunities to volunteer at weekends
• Befriending Volunteers are required to complete our online basic training, 1-2 hours, and attend a Saturday Group Befriending Training session, approx. 9.45am-3.15pm before starting their volunteering
• Volunteers are required to complete an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check, which we will pay for and process for you