Ward Visitor Volunteer- Logandene

To enhance and improve the quality of the service user’s life by providing impartial, empathic companionship with the aim of helping to reduce stress, social isolation and loneliness.

Hertfordshire Partnerships University Foundation Trust (HPFT) is committed to providing excellent health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and those with learning disabilities. We do this by providing services which make a positive difference to the lives of patients, service users and their carers, underpinned by the principles of choice, independence and equality.
We provide integrated health and social care across community and inpatient settings treating and caring for people across Hertfordshire, Norfolk and North Essex.

You do not have to have any related formal qualification for this role.
- Good communication skills, friendly, reliable and able to work as part of a team..
- The confidence to approach people and engage them in conversation is a pre-requisite as is the ability to listen without prejudice or judgement.
- An understanding the importance of confidentiality and maintaining safe working boundaries is essential
- Working on a 1:1 basis with identified service users and specific activity.
- 1:1 sessions e.g. Hand pampering, social chat, looking at newspaper/magazines, walks around the garden etc

HPFT recognises the valuable contribution of our volunteers in helping us HPFT recognises that although volunteers do not seek financial reward, they do appreciate and value recognition in other ways. All staff responsible for managing volunteers will be encouraged to ensure appropriate acknowledgement is given. This could range from a simple ‘thank you’ to a social event, acknowledging their involvement with projects in press releases, and through regular review meetings.

Volunteers bring commitment, skills, interest, energy and enthusiasm, and can work with us in many ways. As we move towards increasingly co-produced and co-created services their strategic input is vital. At a service delivery level, they can add value to statutory services by providing practical support to service users and carers, helping to overcome social isolation and supporting participation with the local community. They have a strong role in raising mental health and learning disability awareness, and breaking down barriers, thus reducing stigma and discrimination.