Programme Support in Creative and Support

**VOLUNTEER ROLE DESCRIPTION**

**Role** Programme Support in Creative and Support Therapies/ Creative Connections

**Location** Support and Wellbeing Department, East Lancashire Hospice

**Responsible to**: Team Leader-Cast

**Accountable to**: Head of Community Supportive Care

(This person will be your main point of contact while volunteering. They will provide you with the support and supervision necessary for you to perform your role)

**Role requirements**: Two Satisfactory references and Enhanced DBS check

**Role Summary**

Working under the direction of the CaST Team Leader and with the support when appropriate of the Family Support Counsellors, you will support the delivery of varied therapeutic programmes as part of our Support and Wellbeing service. This would include Creative Connections activity which is designed for individuals/family groups experiencing grief and bereavement to support the creation of keepsakes and enable families/groups to spend quality time sharing memories.

**When we need you to be available**

Varied programmes will be time-table based at the same time each week for 4 - 6 week. We can work with you to negotiate your availability around other commitments you may have.

Creative Connections is provided through appointments individually negotiated with the clients. This can sometimes include early evening times or also weekends to fit in around school hours

**Skills, knowledge, abilities and qualities**
- Experience of working with children and adults, preferably in a creative environment would be advantageous
- Friendly, calm and welcoming person with good verbal communication skills and equally comfortable with silence
- Punctual and committed to attendance at agreed time and dates

**What we would like you to do**
- Help create a private and neutral environment that enables individuals and families to feel comfortable and secure enabling them to express thoughts, share feelings and have fun
- Under the direction of the Team Lead, assist family members or individuals where necessary with needlework/sewing or other creative projects remembering to encourage self-expression and independence.
- Support individuals to develop simple and easy techniques that create personal and impressive pieces of needlework, craft or artwork.
- Support the CaST Team /other Facilitators with the planning, delivery and evaluation of the individual /group sessions.
- Promote the freedom to explore media and materials and work together to create a collaborative piece/s of work.
- Assist in or lead the preparation and cleaning of the art studio on the day of the session.
- Support the smooth running of each session for example by preparing the refreshment trolley and assisting with general housekeeping duties.

**What we will provide**:

- Training to keep you and others safe
- Specific training/orientation to the role
- The support of the session facilitator / Clinical Lead
- Invitation to regular team meetings
- Opportunity to develop knowledge, skill and confidence to work with the team on current and future needlework/craft programmes appropriate to your interests and skills

**General requirements**
- Be friendly, respectful and courteous to patients, visitors, staff, customers and other volunteers at all times.
- To ensure the information you have access to as part of your role is kept secure and confidential.
- Work at all times to safeguard the rights of individuals promoting their wellbeing and protecting those at risk from harm by advising staff of any concerns
- Act in a way that upholds the hospice’s vision which is to help everyone who comes into contact with the hospice to make the most of life through our four key values which are to Care, Listen, Respect and Work together.

**Equality and Diversity**

**Review of this description**

This role is intended as an outline of general areas of activities and will be amended in the light of changing needs at the hospice.