Here at The Kirkwood we provide a range of care and support aimed at improving the lives of people affected by any life-limiting illness in our local communities.  We are extremely fortunate to have the support and commitment of over 800 dedicated volunteers who work alongside staff in a variety of roles and departments.  The Kirkwood Team work tirelessly to support people to improve their quality of life; remain as independent as possible; and maintain their dignity until the very end.  Families and loved-ones are also supported during the illness and in bereavement.

As a Kirkwood volunteer, you will be helping us to provide care to people from your own community who are affected by a life-limiting illness.  A little of your time can make a massive difference to what we can achieve!  Is it your time to make a difference?  We hope to hear from you soon!

The telephone befriending role is aimed at building trust and providing friendship and companionship to patients and service users. Some patients and service users affected by life-limiting illnesses are in danger of becoming lonely and or isolated. This can be due to reduced mobility, lack of confidence, and bereavement etc.

Those accessing the service will have a variety of befriending needs. We aim to achieve the best possible ‘befriending match’ by utilising the information we are aware of about our patients, service users and volunteers.

Telephone calls will be made in confidence from a volunteer’s home and notes will be made of the conversation which will then be emailed to a member of staff.

Where: Volunteers will make telephone calls from a confidential space within their own home using the free minutes on their telephone.

Time Commitment: Approximately 1 – 2 hours per week. Contacting 2 – 3 patients or service users.

We are keen to hear from anyone who has:

• Excellent communication & listening skills
• A desire to support patients and service users
• The ability to be flexible in the role

And who are:

• Reliable and consistent
• Helpful and dependable
• Able to volunteer within defined role boundaries
• Able to comply with our strict Confidentiality Policy
• Willing to use their own free minutes on their telephone

On successful completion of the recruitment process, volunteers will be invited to Complete an online Induction, training and undertake other role-specific shadowing and training.

On–going supervision, training and development will continue throughout your volunteering with Kirkwood and support is always available from the Volunteer Services Team.

18 yrs and above

• Application form required
• References required
• DBS (criminal record check that the organisation will organise)