'A Friend in Need' End-of-Life Volunteer

Royal Sussex County Hospital is seeking compassionate individuals to join our team as Friend in Need Volunteer.

Make a Difference:

Are you compassionate and empathetic? Do you have a desire to support those nearing the end of their lives? We are seeking 15 volunteers to provide invaluable companionship and comfort to patients and their visitors. You'll have the chance to develop valuable skills, meet new people, and gain a deeper understanding of compassion and empathy.

Duties include:

•  Spending time with patients who have been identified as nearing the end of their life and providing support for them and their visitors.
•  Sitting with a patient when their visitors need a break.

Interested in learning more and making a real impact?

Join one of our information sessions:

• In-Person: Wednesday, 14th May 2025, 3pm-4pm

• Online: Tuesday, 20th May 2025, 11:30am-12:30pm 

Interviews likely to be: 

May: 27th, 28th, 29th

June: 3rd, 4th, 5th

Skills

Key Qualities:

•  Compassionate and sensitive nature
•  Excellent communication skills
•  Ability to work independently and as part of a team
•  The confidence to communicate effectively with all staff, patients and visitors.
•  Can use their initiative and work in a sensible, safe and appropriate manner.
•  An understanding of the need for boundaries and work within them.
•  Are good timekeepers, providing regular volunteering shifts, and producing clear feedback forms after each visit to a patient.
•  Communicate effectively with the A Friend in Need (AFiN) Coordinator.
•  Have the ability and inclination to work as part of a team, or on their own.
•  Are aware of their own emotions and manage them with the support of the A Friend in Need (AFiN) Coordinator and the Palliative Care team
•  Attend pre-arranged meetings and on-going training sessions – some of which are mandatory.

Benefits

What We Offer:

• Full training and support
• Opportunities to make a real difference in people’s lives
• A chance to be part of a dedicated team and caring community - with dedicated monthly socials

Practical Considerations

Your Role:

• Spending time with patients who have been identified as nearing the end of their life and providing support for them and their visitors. 
• Sitting with a patient when their visitors need a break. 
• Liaising with staff and acting as an advocate for the patient and their visitors, where appropriate. 
• Explaining clearly the A Friend in Need (FiN) role and making sure that visitors are aware of the services provided by the hospital to families of dying patients
• Free parking, bereavement support
• Providing hot drinks for patients’ visitors, and someone for them to talk to. 
• Covering a regular 2 - 4 hour weekly shift, filling vacant shifts on an on-going basis, allowing for holidays and other commitments. 
• Providing completed feedback forms after every visit to a patient. 
• Attending on-going mandatory training sessions and reflective meetings in line with EOL Volunteer Coordinator direction. 

Please note that this role involves and Enhanced DBS check and working with vulnerable individuals and requires a high level of emotional resilience.

When do I need to be available?

Details	We are looking for volunteers who can provide support for 2+ hours per week on either Tues, Wed, Thurs. The shifts will be AM 10-13:00 or PM 14:00-17:00.

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Where does this role take place?

Register your Interest