Vacancy Details

Opportunity image

Having someone to sit and chat to makes eating a much more pleasurable, social, experience for most patients especially those who may be reluctant to eat or who take a long time to finish a meal.

Please note – unlike our alternative Mealtime Companion role, this opportunity does not involve any physical feeding of a patient, only support during the mealtime e.g. cutting up food.

No experience is necessary. You will be supported at all times by a member of staff and you will receive role specific training to help with communication skills and nutritional knowledge.

This opportunity takes place on Templer Ward, a 30 bedded inpatient ward within Newton Abbot Community Hospital. 20 beds provide care to specialist stroke and neuro rehabilitation patients following treatment in an acute hospital setting. The other 10 beds are for patients requiring general medical care and rehabilitation.

Why we want you

As a Lunch Club Companion Volunteer your role will involve befriending patients with a range of health conditions including those with cognitive behavioural changes as a result of stroke/neuro brain injury. This may involve helping with various activities to help keep patients stimulated and engaged. A key part of this role will also be helping the staff on the ward so that they can run the Lunch Club sessions, giving patients more time to interact and enjoy some social time, allowing them to have an enjoyable dining experience. As part of the Lunch Club, you will be expected to assist with setting the tables, pouring drinks, and placing the food on the table for patients.

Please note, this role DOES NOT include feeding of patients unlike the Mealtime Companion volunteer role.

What you will be doing
  • Report on arrival to the ward to confirm attendance, sign in and receive ‘update’
  • Liaise with a named member of staff to know which patients require help or support
  • Help with Lunch Club activities, including setting tables, pouring drinks etc
  • Sitting and chatting with patients, engaging in social activities, in particular, activities that enable patients to maintain good communication skills and encourage social interaction
  • Helping patients with poor dexterity to cut up their food if necessary, and get the food on the cutlery so they can guide their hand to their mouth (role specific training will be provided)
  • Enhance the quality of patient care by offering comfort, support, compassion, and friendliness
  • Take part in activities before and after Lunch Club that involve reminiscing, such as discussing music, sport etc, watching TV, helping to browse on the iPad, or assisting patients to attend groups remotely e.g. singing group
  • Update Handover Book on patient(s) seen that day writing a brief overview of activities used with each patient
  • Create a social atmosphere, and act as a link between patients and staff
The skills you need
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills
  • Be proactive and assertive to receive support
  • A genuine interest in people as you will be required to sit and chat to patients during mealtimes
  • A positive outlook and being non-judgemental is essential as you will be working with people who are unwell
  • Understand and comply to confidentiality, being discreet and reliable
What’s in it for you
  • Meet new people
  • Be part of an amazing team
  • Gain new skills or use existing ones
  • Help your community
Disclaimer

Following your successful application, you will be invited to an interview and you may be asked some questions in relation to our current Infection, Prevention & Control guidance – this may impact on which roles we can place you in. Most roles are subject to a DBS check and two satisfactory references being provided.

Other information

Minimum age 16