The Hywel Dda Health Board was awarded a grant from the National Lottery to set up, develop and deliver a project known as ‘Volunteering for Health’. The project aims to develop volunteering services within the health community of West Wales in a variety of settings in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. The project will improve the way current health services are delivered for the benefit of local citizens through action by local citizens. For volunteers it will provide an opportunity to give something back to the community, help them explore a career in health and social care, maintain and develop new skills, increase social interaction by meeting new people, enable volunteers to be recognised as a valuable resource and an integral part of service delivery within the NHS.

The Volunteering for Health Project are looking for volunteers for the following role:-

• Department Support Volunteer
• The purpose of the volunteer in Cilgerran Ward is to enhance both the patient and relatives experience by:
• Providing companionship and emotional support to vulnerable paediatric patients alongside their relatives throughout their attendance.
• Supporting the team to provide a clean and tidy patient environment.
• As required welcome people into the department and escort both patients, relatives and visitors to their destination as appropriate.
• Display a helpful, friendly and courteous attitude to patients, visitors staff and colleagues
• Provide clear and accurate directional information to help people find their destination
• Provide information on local amenities such as toilets, restaurants and public transport
• Help with the general tidiness of the waiting room, relatives’ quiet room and children’s play area/room.
• Maintain an awareness of the physical environment and take appropriate action. For example, ensure the TV sound is at an acceptable level.
• Help with the general stocking of non clinical items such as ensuring sufficient stock of patient information on the main desk.
• Help patients to read letters/books/ patient information.
• Provide an opportunity for the patient to chat
•  Run department errands.
• Take Pharmacy Request Sheets to pharmacy as directed by staff
• support children playing as directed by staff
• Show paediatric patients around the ward environment.Collect patients’ refreshments occasionally from canteen as directed by staff.
• Help and support paediatric patients carrying out crossword puzzles or other stimulating activities.
• Read to paediatric patients.
• Sign DVD’S and DS games in and out using the log book.
• Help patients’ relatives (with illiteracy issues) read through discharge advice sheets if requested.Sit with paediatric patients, whilst relatives are away.
• Set TV and DVD player up for child/children to watch.
• Make beverages for a relative if required.