Description
The State Hospital offers a person centred approach to visiting where every effort is made to accommodate the individual needs of visitors. Maintaining relationships with family and friends is an important part of the patient's recovery journey.
The importance of effectively engaging with patients, their families and carers is recognised. In particular, carers and Named Persons are actively encouraged to meaningfully contribute to patient care and treatment planning.
Changes made to visiting sessions means that those utilising public transport are finding it more difficult to link in with these visit sessions.
This role will require the volunteer to use their own vehicle for pre-bookable travel for approved patient visitors and volunteers between Biggar or Lanark and the Hospital and return after their visit. The State Hospital is one of four high secure hospitals in the UK. Located in South Lanarkshire, in central Scotland, it is a national service for patients in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The principal aim is to rehabilitate patients, ensuring safe transfer to appropriate lower levels of security.
The Hospital recognises the important and valuable contribution made by volunteers to enrich the quality of everyday life for patients. Pre approved patient visitors are able to visit any day. Visit sessions usually last 1 hour and meetings can last 2 hours. Volunteer drivers would be expected to collect the visitor and return them after the visit/meeting. Volunteer drivers can also combine this role with that of Volunteer Visitor and a visit can be arranged during the times they are volunteering to maximize their input.
Organisation aims and objectives
The State Hospital is a national resource which provide special security for mentally disordered offenders. The catchment area we cover is the whole of Scotland and Northern Ireland, which makes travelling difficult for some of the relatives. Some patients have no visitors at all and given that the length of stay (on average) is 6.5 years, this can have a significant impact on the patients.
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1 Year 2 Hours, Weekly Pre approved patient visitors are able to visit any day. Visit sessions usually last 1 hour and meetings can last 2 hours. Volunteer drivers would be expected to collect the visitor and return them after the visit/meeting. Volunteer drivers can also combine this role with that of Volunteer Visitor and a visit can be arranged during the times they are volunteering to maximize their input.
Frequency and commitment details
his applies to expense payment frequency
Restrictions
Experience required: Due to the unique nature of the environment, and a duty to ensure the safety and security of everyone in the Hospital, these restrictions are in place to ensure the health and wellbeing of all staff and volunteers.
Volunteer drivers must –
• Demonstrate that they have held their full driver’s licence for at least 2 years prior to applying.
Travel details: This volunteering takes place in SOUTH LANARKSHIRE in Carstairs
Minimum age: 18
Support
Expenses paid: Yes
Training details: All volunteers will be expected to complete a comprehensive induction programme which includes attendance at Breakaway Training, an Occupational Health assessment and mandatory training modules / workshops.
Support:
Named Contact For Volunteer