Volunteer: Maldon Walking Support Group

As a walking support group volunteer, you will assist members of staff from Family Support to facilitate a support group for people affected by a life limiting diagnosis. You will help welcome and support participants, support the organisation of the walking group sessions, and generally be a friendly, supportive and helpful member of the walking group. This may include supporting members of the walking group to participate in conversations, gathering feedback and welcoming new members.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• A good listener and non-judgemental

• Good verbal communication skills

• Passionate about supporting people affected by a life-limiting diagnosis

• Enjoy walking and being outdoors and in nature

• Patient, reliable and understanding

• Friendly and empathetic

• Keen to help others in the community

• Understanding and appropriate application of confidentiality and boundaries

• Ability to deal with different people and situations sensitively and appropriately, remaining calm and polite at all times

• Awareness of own response to death, dying and bereavement

KEY TASKS

Tasks may include (not exclusively):

• Assist with pre-walk talk for participants (i.e., provide a relevant overview of & advice for the session)

• Completing a register of participants & their emergency contact details

• Contact the emergency services in case of emergency

• Provide basic guidance, information, and signposting to the appropriate resources

• Offer a listening ear and informal support conversations

• Liaise with volunteer team managers on a regular basis and provide open feedback; reporting concerns immediately

• Flag any safeguarding concerns to appropriate staff members

• Attend volunteer support/supervision meetings via Microsoft Teams or face to face where required to discuss your calls and receive support from staff and fellow volunteers

• Attend additional training sessions as and when required

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Adhere to all hospice policies and procedures including data protection and confidentiality

• Attend and complete all training provided

• Commit to the role for a minimum of 6 months

• Attend volunteer meetings and support sessions whenever possible

• Work to Farleigh Hospice values (we are caring, respectful, dedicated and innovative)

What can volunteering do for you?

• You’ll be able to use your kindness, skills and experience to help people in the local community who may be ill, bereaved, lonely or isolated in order to provide them with support and make a positive impact on their life

• You’ll gain new skills and experience

• You’ll meet other like-minded volunteers

• You’ll be part of a friendly and welcoming team and will receive support and guidance from our dedicated team at Farleigh

What happens now? 

1. Simply fill in our volunteer application form, telling us of your skills and experience and why you would like to volunteer with the walking support group

2. Once we have processed your application (this could take up to two weeks from the closing date) we will be in touch to confirm if your skills and experience match the requirements of the role and service.  We’ll then invite you to attend an interview, either in person or over Microsoft Teams to discuss the role and application

3. Following your interview, we will send out your reference requests and will get you started on completing a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service). You will be required to verify your ID in person at our head office in North Court Road, Chelmsford in advance of commencing the role

4. After checks are completed and you are happy to get started, we will invite you to attend a walking support group session

5. From commencing your role, you will have regular support/supervision sessions with a member of staff as well as further training as and when required

Thank you for contributing to the valuable work at Farleigh Hospice. Please contact Volunteer Services on volunteer@farleighhospice.org / 01245 933735 if you require any further information.

To apply, please click the link here to fill in the application form.