Mealtime Helper (Midlothian Community Hospital)

  • VO98040


Description

Midlothian Community Hospital provides 88 beds across several wards. These wards provide rehabilitation (over 60s), continuing care of frail elderly, palliative/end of life care, dementia care, and mental health care. Mealtime Helper volunteers are required to assist patients with eating their meals.

Assisting patients at mealtimes is a great way for volunteers to support the NHS. Mealtimes are busy times for ward staff, and an extra pair of hands is always welcome. Your role will involve delivering food to patients and then assisting them with eating their meal. You will then help with collecting and returning used dishes to the kitchen. In between times, your role will be to help out on the ward (e.g., topping up patients’ water jugs), as well as providing patients with some company

Organisation aims and objectives

Health care facilities and Hospitals

Availability

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Morning
Afternoon
Evening

2 hours a week

Frequency and commitment details

2 hours a week

Restrictions

Experience required: We are looking for volunteers who are kind, compassionate, and empathetic. You must also be confident, patient, and have strong communication skills. Being reliable and punctual is extremely important. Previous care experience would be valuable but is not essential, as full training will be provided.
Travel details: Midlothian Community Hospital is reachable by several Lothian/East Coast bus services. Free parking is also available on site.
Minimum age: 16

Support

Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Agreed out of pocket expenses which are incurred when carrying out this volunteer role will be reimbursed in line with the NHS Lothian volunteer expenses policy and signed off by the Voluntary Services Manager.
Training details: The induction training is provided over Microsoft Teams and will involve attending two sessions lasting approximately 2 hours each. The training will cover communicating with patients, boundaries for volunteering, equality & diversity, infection control, fire safety, and self-care. This role also requires you to attend an additional Mealtime Helper training session.
Support: Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet