Ward Support Volunteer

Volunteers must be 18+

Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC) is the largest centre of its kind in the North of England. It treats patients with a combination of compassion and leading edge technology to ensure that they are provided with the very best opportunity to beat cancer in a modern and welcoming environment.

About the Ward

Ward 34 is a specialist cancer ward caring for patients with different types of cancers and blood-related (haematological) cancers. It administers systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT), supportive treatments including blood transfusions, and cares for patients undergoing radiotherapy, autologous bone marrow transplant, palliative care and those with treatment-related side effects.

Purpose of the Role

The main purpose of this role is to assist ward staff with the lunch or evening meal service, handing out snacks in between meals to ensure that patients improve their nutritional intake and increase their fluid intake. In addition to this, you will also provide interaction and companionship to lonely patients, engage them in activities, and generally support staff in ensuring that patients receive the best experience during their stay.

Description of main tasks specific to the placement: 

• Serving lunches or evening meals and drinks.
• Take around the drinks and snacks trolley at regular intervals to encourage patients to eat and drink to improve their nutritional intake and increase their fluid intake.
• Spending time with patients who are on their own to help to reduce stress and anxiety
• Engage patients in appropriate leisure activities of their choosing, such as general knowledge quiz, board games and arts and crafts

Note: If you have recently had cancer it is important to consider that volunteering can be emotionally demanding experience so if you are currently or have recently been coping with a medical diagnosis either as a patient, family member or close friend, this may not be the best time for you to volunteer in our patient- facing role. We ask that if you have been personally affected by cancer that you wait for a period of at least 2 years before applying to volunteer.

Skills

• Patient
• Confident and friendly communicator
• Ability to start conversations