Compassionate Communities Group Volunteers

Compassionate Communities is a social movement of local people enabled and supported to be more compassionate in their local communities.

We need vols in:

• Borehamwood
• Potters Bar
• Bushey
• Hemel Hempstead

Compassionate Communities Group volunteers are trained local people who offer their companionship, time, social and emotional support to people towards the end of life, due to age or illness and/or people who are suffering with a loss such as through bereavement.

The group volunteers offer their time in a group setting like a Compassionate Support Hub or Compassionate Café.

Main tasks

·        help run a local Compassionate Support Hub and/or Compassionate Café in the community with support from the Community Engagement and clinical teams

·        set up the venue to be a welcoming space

·        offer friendship, emotional support and a listening ear to attendees

·        help attendees to stay connected to the community as well as family and friends

·        provide information leaflets and signpost any enquiries for RGP services

·        represent the professional standards of the charity

What are we looking for?

·        a desire to help others

·        a good listener

·        someone who is reliable, trustworthy and flexible

·        someone who is compassionate and empathic, patient and caring

·        an ability to understand and commit to the boundaries and guidance of the Community Engagement Team and values of Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care

·        must be at least 18 years old

·        enthusiasm to work as part of a team to help develop the Compassionate Support Hub and/or Compassionate Café

Training and support

·        there will be a named line manager who will provide ongoing support

·        you will attend a one-day training course that will support you to understand the role

·        there will be some other mandatory training that you will need to complete at the start of your volunteering with us and then periodically afterwards as refresher training

·        other training and development opportunities are available as you develop in the role

What you need to know

·        you will complete a volunteer application form and we will ask for one reference from someone who knows you well

·        we welcome everyone and will make reasonable adjustments should they be needed

·        we will pay reasonable expenses incurred, should you wish to claim them

·        we rely on the commitment of our volunteers to support our services, however we understand that you may sometimes need to take a break from your volunteering. When you are ready to return, your line manager will meet with you to talk about the role and make sure it is still right for you, and may ask you to complete some refresher training.