Nursing Support Volunteer- CHAS at Home pilot

"Paediatric Palliative Care no longer means helping children die well, it means helping children live well and then when the time is certain to help them die gently" (Mattie Stepanek, Child Author and Poet)

What activities will I be involved in?

• Helping to care for a child in their own home, alongside a member of staff
• Undertaking personal care
• Moving and handling of equipment
  
• You may also be asked to assist with play activities: spending time with a child - play, storytelling, watching a movie

Desirable skills and abilities

• Experience of working in (or towards) a care or clinical role, or personal experience of a caring role
• An understanding of working with children with complex needs
• Be empathetic, sensitive and non-judgmental
• An ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Adhere to rules around GDPR and a strong understanding of confidentiality
• Have access to a car or good public transport links (We recommend you ask your car insurer if you are covered for volunteering as a leisure activity. Some insurers may ask you to make a change to your policy to cover for business, and this may incur a cost).

How much time should I offer?

This is a pilot and will run until December 2024 although there may be an opportunity to continue to volunteer after this time. The average shift will be approximately four hours and we are looking for a monthly/six weekly commitment. Shifts are flexible and will be discussed with you in advance.

Where is the opportunity based?

In and around Edinburgh.

What ongoing learning/support/guidance will I receive?

It’s important to us that you feel happy, safe and confident in your role. As a CHAS volunteer you will be invited to complete a short core learning package that is tailored to your role. This will include Child Protection training (either online or face-to-face and will be approximately 3 hours in length. 

If you do not have an up to date moving and handling Scottish passport, we can provide this training, facilitated by our physiotherapists. This is a two-day course. Provisional dates for this training are 19th and 20th June 2024 at Robin House, Balloch (2 Boturich Drive, Balloch, Alexandria, G83 8LX)

Your Volunteer Manager will provide ongoing support and guidance.

What are the benefits to me?

• Learning new skills and enhancing your experience
• Using your existing skills for a great cause
• An opportunity to make a real difference to the families of children with a life-shortening condition
• Enhancing your CV
• Meeting new people from diverse backgrounds
• Having fun!

What are the benefits to the children and families supported by CHAS?

"The service that you offer at home - it is just so much more than respite. For us it feels like an extension of our family coming in to help and bringing joy and fun into our lives. The CHAS at Home team are a very special and unique group of individuals that I have never found elsewhere, nothing is too much trouble and they don't see challenges, only possibilities. Truly amazing!" (Quote from a CHAS family member).

What else should I know?

The role is open to anyone aged 18 and over and requires membership of the PVG scheme (children and adults). There is also a simple form to complete and we will assist you with this. You may already have a PVG, if so you will only need to complete an update form. The process won't cost you anything and having a criminal record will not automatically exclude you from volunteering. We will assess each applicant on an individual basis.

Informal interviews are likely to take place at Rachel House, Kinross, KY13 8FX.

We will pay your out of pocket expenses in line with the CHAS volunteer expenses policy. We ask that volunteers live within the Edinburgh area, surrounding areas or be able to travel to Rachel House in Kinross so they can travel to each visit with a member of staff.

CHAS is committed to providing a quality volunteering experience to all volunteers, free from discrimination and prejudice. Ensuring that CHAS is an equal, diverse, and inclusive organisation helps improve the quality of care we provide, and helps us reach more families and children. maximising a wide variety of knowledge, experience and expertise.

We welcome volunteer applications from those who are refugees, asylum seekers, benefit claimants and those with a disability. We can provide more information on volunteering eligibility and the kind of adjustments we can put in place to ensure your volunteering experience is a positive one.

What’s the next step?

If you are interested in this role you can apply online or if you have any questions please contact the volunteering team at volunteering@chas.org.uk or 01577 866065.