Volunteer Role Description

And Person Specification

ESCORTED DISCHARGE FOLLOW-UP VOLUNTEER

Introduction

Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering assists isolated older people in Redbridge (not, currently, the other boroughs) with their discharge from King George Hospital Ilford, Queens Hospital Romford and Whipps Cross Hospital Waltham Forest. Support is given by paid staff for up to two weeks to enable clients to regain some degree of independence and to help set up a supportive network to enable them to continue to live in their own homes.

Follow-up volunteers are required to maintain a weekly visit to the clients for a time limited period of 8 weeks, partly for befriending and partly as a monitoring service, to alert the office of any deterioration or of new needs that emerge, so that appropriate services can be put in place.

Service times: Anytime between 10.00 amand 4.00 pm for an hour or two, preferably on a weekday

Contact details:Age UK Redbridge, 4th Floor, 103 Cranbrook Road, Ilford IG1 4PU. Tel: 020 8220 6000.

Email:

Role Description

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Visit the person at a regular agreed time/day for an hour or so, chat with them, build a relationship and monitor their well-being
  • Telephone the person a couple of times per week to maintain the befriending and monitoring relationship (whilst NEVER giving the client your own phone number or mobile number)
  • Keep alert for new needs emerging or known needs increasing, by careful listening and observation of the client and their environment, in order that Age UK Redbridge can signpost/make onward referrals to our own or external services
  • Forward all referrals for further advice/information or for Age UK Redbridge’s services to DaisyFresh Co-ordinator
  • To help monitor client’s health, environment etc. and report any concerns to the DaisyFresh Co-ordinator or Senior Manager (Services)
  • To complete and return a report form at week 4 & week 8
  • To be open to undertake training sessions in relevant areas (e.g. health & safety, confidentiality, equal opportunities)
  • Work to Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering’s guidelines and policies
  • Attend volunteer supervision every 6 months

Person Specification

  • Responsible attitude
  • Good communication skills essential
  • Ability to keep to limits of role keep to boundaries required by Age UK Redbridge
  • Ability to spot when a problem may be emerging and take appropriate action
  • Ability to keep accurate records
  • Willingness to liaise closely with DaisyFresh Co-ordinator or Senior Manager (Services) to ensure quality service and that no client needs are overlooked (even if they cannot always be met)
  • Understanding of and empathy with the needs of older people
  • Patience and sensitivity
  • Reliability

Additional information:

The role does NOT include tasks like shopping, cleaning, assistance with personal care or correspondence, which can all be provided through the DaisyFresh Service. Nor must volunteers help a client with exercises they have been given in the way that Escorted Discharge staff do, but refer them to the DaisyFresh service. Volunteers must NEVER take the person out in their own car, although by agreement, when a risk assessment has been carried out by an appropriate staff member, it may include taking the person out for a little walk or even accompanying them to a local café for refreshments and a chat. None of these excluded roles would be covered by insurance. After finishing with one client a new one will be allocated.

Hours of Work:1-2 hours (approx) on one morning per week

Responsible to:DaisyFresh Co-Ordinator

Escorted Discharge Follow-up Vol Task Desc. – Aug 2014