Companionship & Mealtime Volunteers for Frimley Park Hospital (SH)

Patient companions play an important role in working with nurses to create a calm, caring and comfortable ward environment. Offering companionship and comfort to patients. Patient companions listen to a patient talk about hopes, fears and concerns. Their presence and empathy can counteract such negative emotions as loneliness, sadness and despair, which can hinder effective treatment. Instead, their sympathy encourages positive emotions such as happiness and relief, which can speed up the healing process.

Meal time assistants will assist with the feeding of patients on wards ensuring that patients being fed are given the appropriate meals and liaising with the ward staff regarding patients’ choice of meals. They will also make sure that appropriate utensil and feeding aids are used at all times. Much of this role involves engaging patients’ in conversations during mealtimes. Meal time assistants will also make sure that all patients fed are offered and given a choice of fluid refreshments (within reason).

We ask that individuals who are applying to be a volunteer commit to volunteering for at least three hours a week for a minimum of one year, there are over 40 different volunteer roles in the hospital and we will work with you to find the one which is right for you.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer attends a Volunteers Information Session.

At this session you will be given details of what volunteering entails and details of the recruitment process. The session will also give you a chance to ask any questions about volunteering within out Trust.

If your interest is for Frimley, Farnham, Fleet or Aldershot then it is best to attend the Frimley sessions. If you wish to volunteer at Wexham, St Marks or King Edwards the Wexham session will be best suited. If you wish to volunteer at Heatherwood you may attend either site, depending on your proximity to the hospital.

Each session will last approximately 30 mins (Dates TBA dependent on application date)

Due to social distancing measures, the numbers are limited to 28 people a session. To attend please respond to [email protected] as soon as possible with your name, email address, date to which you can attend and site you would like to volunteer at.

What skills do I need?

You will need to complete an application form, provide two references, Interview, DBS check, Trial period.