Vacancy Details

Mealtime Companion Volunteer

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.

No experience is necessary. You will be supported at all times by a member of staff, and you will receive specific training from the nursing, catering, dietetics and speech & language therapy teams to help with communication skills and nutritional knowledge.

This opportunity takes place on New Forrest Ward which specialises in Diabetes and Endocrinology (D&E) mixed with acute general medicine.

In this essential role, it could range from sitting with a patient to encourage them to eat and drink right through to actually feeding the food to the patient if required. It is really important to improve patient nutrition by providing feeding support and social care at mealtimes because it results in better nourished and hydrated patients. Helping our patients to eat and drink well is vital to their recovery and you can play a critical part in this. This is an incredibly rewarding volunteering role and you will receive the appropriate training and support.

What you will be doing
  • Report to nurse in charge 20 minutes ahead of meal time to report attendance and receive ‘update’
  • Prepare the bedside tables for the lunch or evening meal
  • Liaise with the Health Care Assistant (HCA) who will direct the volunteer to the patients requiring help or support
  • Sit and chat with patients as appropriate
  • Help with access to refreshments, and help cut up food if required
  • Create a social atmosphere to encourage eating and drinking
  • Feed a normal diet of food to patients if required (not puree or thickened fluids)
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