Community Butterfly Service - Peterborough, March, Ramsey, Fenland and St Ives

It is an honour and a privilege to offer this amazing opportunity to our communities within Peterborough, March, Ramsey, Fenland and St Ives.

Our team of staff and volunteers, called 'Butterflies' offer support to people, and their support networks at the end of life.

We are looking for compassionate people to join the Voluntary Services as a Butterfly Volunteer. Can you commit to 6 months for as little as one hour per week?

It is an honour and a privilege to support individuals, and their support network at the end of life.

Butterfly Volunteers provide company and companionship to our patients at end of life, and can provide support for their family or carers.

The Voluntary Services, are looking for volunteers who are able to provide a minimum commitment of 6 months, starting from as little as an hour a week.

The service and its volunteers are making a difference in many ways. By joining our team, you too can help toward building a wonderful, and worthwhile service offered to people within our community whom need help at a moment when it really matters during a very difficult and sensitive time.

What you will be doing

• Talking and listening to the patients, families, support network (including conversations about death) and provide company and someone to talk to.
• Reading and/or singing to the patient.
• Holding hands and/or providing hand massages.
• Providing a consistent professional relationship throughout the patients journey with a system-wide approach.
• If there is a carer involved with the patient; to keep the patient company whilst the carer can take a break.
• Providing access to information (sign posting) for the patient and families to local support available to them within their community.
• Obtaining shopping or get small items for the patient (not big shops).
• Being alert and report any concerns to a Butterfly Volunteer Co-ordinator, or Voluntary Services Manager where appropriate.
• Completing a volunteer record form to log activity, identify the patients continuity of support.
• This role is based in the patient home in the community (across Peterborough, Wisbech and St Ives) so the volunteer will expect periods of lone volunteering.
• PLEASE NOTE - As the role is based within the community, you will need access to transport or willingness to travel to patients homes.

Skills you need:

• Empathy and compassion
• Patience and kindness
• Excellent listening skills
• Good communication skills
• Be comfortable with end of life; being at ease with illness and the process of dying
• Reliability

What's in it for you

• You will have regular weekly contact and on-going support from a Butterfly Volunteer Coordinator.
• Mandatory training for the role, local induction and bespoke end of life volunteer training.
• Group support meetings will also be available for team building and staff facilitated peer support. These meetings can be attended via Microsoft Teams or in person.
• A rewarding experience.
• A chance to make a real difference!