Green Spaces - Supporting Mental Health
Would you like to provide company to service users and patients in an outdoor setting and/or ward?
We are looking for individuals who have an interest in nature, outdoor engagement and activities, and their use within a healthcare setting to support mental health. Opportunity available across various sites.
You must be 18 years old or above to volunteer in this role. This role requires a commitment to completing recruitment within 8 weeks from receiving an offer. This role is not appropriate for those with lived experience of the mental health wards.
The ward is a mixed medical ward including rehabilitation, for patients over 65 years. To support patients health and wellbeing the ward is developing and uses an enclosed courtyard area (which is accessible to other patients, visitors and staff), and the ward Activities Room for nature based activities and relaxation.
Volunteers will be supporting and interacting with patients in the courtyard area and the Activities Room; encouraging patients to enjoy and engage with the outdoor space, supporting patients who may feel lonely, isolated or bored. To support patients, volunteers will be utilising their own interest/knowledge of nature and wellbeing, and will need a good understanding or interest in the benefits of nature in supporting health and wellbeing/horticulture/gardening. Volunteers will also be supporting patients and staff with mindfulness and nature based activities in the outdoor courtyard spaces, and on the ward.
Main tasks:
Accompanying, spending time and providing company to patients in the courtyard area and ward
Supporting staff to facilitate activities such relaxation and sensory activities
Support in the courtyard with general plant care, assist with providing refreshments, preparing seating and engagement areas
To treat all service users with dignity and respect
To follow safeguarding policy and procedure
To inform staff if a service user becomes unwell
To support service users, and visitors to engage in sessions by providing reassurance and guidance
Provide feedback to staff
Time commitment: A suggested minimum time commitment of 2 hours per week for at least 6 months.
Expenses reimbursed: Travel expenses are reimbursed.
Training provided: Volunteers will need to undertake Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Training and Induction as well as an appropriate level of manual handling and violence and aggression training. Training needs will be identified through the supervision process and met through Cardiff and Vale UHB Training Programmes.
Selection procedure: Informal discussion, application form completion, 2 references, occupational health check and a disclosure and barring check (cost met by organisation).
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact using the form below.