Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust

Volunteer role

Community Butterfly VolunteerVolunteer manager

Helen GooldWhere you will be based

Community

Why we want you

It is an honour and a privilege to support individuals and their support network at the end of life. Butterfly Volunteers will provide company and companionship to the patient, and support and respite for their family or carers in the community. We are looking for a minimum commitment of 6 months, starting from as little as an hour a week. You really can make a difference in many ways by joining our new service and being a wonderful support to those families and patients in 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.
• Obtaining shopping or get small items for the patient (not big shops).
• Being alert and report any concerns to the Butterfly Volunteer Co-ordinator or community team where appropriate.
• Completing a volunteer record form to log activity, identify the patients continuity of support and develop the role.
• This role is based in the patient home in the community so the volunteer will have periods of lone volunteering

The skills you need

• Compassion
• Empathy
• Excellent listening skills
• Communication skills

What's in it for you

• You will have receive a monthly 1:1 supervision and on-going support from the Butterfly Volunteer Co-ordinator.
• Mandatory training for the role, and local induction into CPFT.
• 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.