The Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust Volunteer Programme covers a wide variety of opportunities for individuals to get involved with the care and support of patients, carers and staff.

As part of an NHS England and NHS Improvement funded project, the volunteering team has been able to create a set of new roles specifically focussed on supporting those waiting for assessment and treatment in CAMHS, NDC and Adult ED Services for Wiltshire.  

The roles include:

• Volunteer Care Navigator - engaging in regular telephone calls to check in, encouraging and supporting with signposting to other local charities and organisations that might offer specific support and highlighting wellbeing activities.  You may also assist individuals attending sites by providing key information on access, parking and what they should expect on arrival – a known source of anxiety for those waiting to attend services for the first time.

• Volunteer Group Facilitator – supporting activity groups and/or group meetings by using existing skills or experiences to support those attending, ensuring the groups are well run and promoted to those hoping to attend and supporting the group leader with administration and room set up.  The activities are likely to include things like art and gardening but may vary depending on the skills of the volunteers who come forward.

• Ward Volunteer, Cotswold House, Marlborough – engaging with patients and staff on the ward to support activities, encourage engagement in activities and collect feedback on ward experience. 

It is expected that those interested in applying for the roles may have lived experience as a service user or as family/carer and want to give something back to support others on their journey; may be individuals looking at working for the NHS and would like experience in mental health services; or may be looking at returning to practice or recently retired.  It is hoped that they will have experience of skills promoting wellbeing and understand that activities that improve wellbeing make a considerable difference to those either waiting for or in treatment. Volunteers will also need to be compassionate and non judgemental, with the ability to give time to listen to someone who is struggling and give them an opportunity to talk or to be there to support them.

Volunteers across the trust are a fundamental part of Oxford Health teams and ensure services and clinicians are supported to provide high quality patient centred care. 

This is an exciting new area of development for the Trust Volunteering Programme and we look forward to welcoming our new volunteers into these roles over the coming months.

To find out more about the opportunities and apply, click here.