This page contains an overview and more detailed description of the different roles that volunteers undertake at The Hospital of St Cross
What we look for in a volunteer
- Friendly and approachable
- Caring and good listeners
- Comfortable approaching people to offer help
- Able to work independently and use initiative after initial training period
- Emotionally mature and able to stay calm in difficult situations
- Adaptable
What can you expect from us?
You will receive appropriate training and be fully supported by the team of Service Co-ordinators and the Board of trustees.
Volunteers are provided with uniforms. Examples are shown in some of the photos on the following pages.
Browse the list of services in the index to find out more and click on the links to view or download documents.
Bingo
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Outline of the service Volunteers run bingo sessions in order to entertain patients while they are undergoing treatment in the Ash Dialysis Unit Hours of service Approximately 2 hours on Mondays, Thursdays or Saturdays Documentation Bingo Volunteer Role Description |
Book Sales
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Outline of the service Volunteers sort through books and jigsaws that have been donated by supporters and put a selection on display in various areas around the hospital. Hours of service Once every 4 weeks for approximately 2 hours at a time of the volunteer's choosing Documentation Books Volunteer Role Description |
Gardening
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Outline of the service We maintain an area known as The Derrick Masters Memorial Garden, which is named after a former President of the Friends, and the planting in various beds and pots around the hospital. We also tidy up areas not covered by the Trust's grass cutting and general maintenance contractsl Hours of service Ad hoc as determined by the season Documentation Not applicable |
Holding Hands in Theatre
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Outline of the service When a patient is having a cataract operation under local anaesthetic it is essential that they do not move as this could have a severe impact on a very delicate procedure. So if the patient feels the need to sneeze, cough or say something he or she can squeeze the hand of a volunteer who will tell the team to stop the procedure safely. Many of the volunteers who provide this service have also had cataract operations and so can give some personal assurance to the patient throughout their visit to the hospital. Hours of service Shifts last approximately 4 hours and are scheduled in accordance with the list of patients due for surgery. Documentation |
Hospital Admin
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Outline of the service The Hospital Admin is reactive to the needs of various wards and departments in the hospital. Volunteers are required to adopt a flexible approach as the activities described in the Operations Guidance may develop over time. Hours of Service All week 10:00 - 2:00 pm Documentation |
Maple Unit Volunteers
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Outline of the service Volunteers support the team in the Maple Unit by befriending patients and providing them with drinks while they undergo treatment. They also collect medicines from the hospital pharmacy and undertake other activities to assist the team Hours of service Mondays 9:00 to 12:00 and Tuesday to Friday 10:00 to 1:00 Documentation Maple Unit Volunteer Role Description |
Mealtime Companions
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Outline of the service Some patients benefit from assistance with eating their food or just need a little bit of encouragement! Not all patients have relatives or friends that are available to give this support and so a team of volunteers help on several of the wards at St Cross Hours of service Everyday 11:30 - 1:00 Documentation |
Meet and Greet - Day Surgery Unit & X-Ray entrances
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Outline of the service Patients and visitors come to the hospital from all over Coventry and Warwickshire, as well as Rugby, and often need help to find their way to the ward or department where they have an appointment to attend or friends and relatives they would like to visit. Volunteers are based at Out Patients and the entrance to the Day Surgery Unit and escort people to the place they are looking for. A friendly face helps ease tensions for many who are anxious when they arrive and may be disoriented by the layout of the site! Hours of service Monday - Friday 9:00 to 12:00 and 1:30 to 4:30 Documentation Meet and Greet Volunteer Role Description |
Meet and Greet - Fern Unit Ultrasound Department
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Outline of the service The Fern Unit Ultrasound Department is one of the busiest areas in Out Patients at St Cross with patients seen for ultrasound procedures. By volunteering in this role, you will ensure there is an orderly flow of patients into the unit, with patients knowing where they are in the queue and how many people are in front of them. |
Meet and Greet - Out Patients Department
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Outline of the service Patients and visitors come to the hospital from all over Coventry and Warwickshire, as well as Rugby, and often need help to find their way to the ward or department where they have an appointment to attend or friends and relatives they would like to visit. Volunteers are based at Out Patients and the entrance to the Day Surgery Unit and escort people to the place they are looking for. A friendly face helps ease tensions for many who are anxious when they arrive and may be disoriented by the layout of the site! Hours of service Monday - Friday 9:00 to 12:00 and 1:30 to 4:30 Documentation Out Patients Department Volunteer Role Description Out Patients Department Service Co-ordinator Role Description
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Meet and Greet - Phlebotomy
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Outline of the service Volunteers control the entry to the Blood Taking / Phlebotomy department for all pre-booked Blood Taking appointments. Hours of service Monday to Friday 9:00 to 11:00, 11:00 - 2:00 and 2:00 to 5:00 Documentation Phlebotomy Volunteer Role Description |
Meet and Greet - X-Ray Department
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The Volunteer:
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Patient Views
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Outline of the service A group of volunteers meet patients and ask them for their impressions of the service they received at St Cross. Volunteers enjoy meeting patients in wards, who are due for discharge, or others attending Out Patients and engaging in conversations with people who are often only too happy to have a chat as a distraction from the anxiety they may have in attending hospital. They recognise volunteers as independent from the management and give frank feedback – which is almost always positive and constructive – which reflects the great feedback that the patients have been giving recently through NHS Choices. Hours of service Monday to Friday ad hoc Documentation |
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Outline of the service Some patients are elderly and do not have relatives or friends able to visit them so this service is designed to give those patients an all important visit to brighten their day. Hours of service Every day - afternoons and evenings Documentation |
Receipts and Distribution
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Outline of the service Volunteers assist the team by booking in deliveries from suppliers and sorting these into stock or for distribution to the appropriate wards or departments Hours of service Monday to Friday 08:00 to 12:00 Documentation Receipts and Distribution Volunteer Role Description Receipts and Distribution Service Co-ordinator Role Description
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Support for the Dying
This is service which is offered during the last hours of a patient's life in the event that no relative or friend is able to attend the bedside as a patient passes away.
Support for the Dying Role description
Tea Bar
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Outline of the service Patients waiting for their appointments in Out Patients can enjoy a cuppa and a snack at the Friends Tea Bar. Prior to the pandemic the profits from this service have more than covered the costs of the operating charity. Hours of service Monday to Friday 9.30am – 12 noon and 1.30pm – 4pm Documentation Tea Bar Volunteer Role Description and Operations Guidance Tea Bar Service Co-ordinator Role Description Detailed working instructions are provided in the Tea Bar |
Trustees
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Outline of the service The Charity is managed by a Board of Trustees who undertake a variety of roles and meet once a month Hours of service As required by the role undertaken Click here to see the current members of the Board. Please |
Ward Trolley Service
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Outline of the service Volunteers operate a service selling drinks, confectionery, newspapers and other items to patients and staff on the wards. The profits from this service contribute towards the costs of the operating charity. Hours of service Monday to Friday 10:00 to 12:00 Documentation Ward Trolley Service Volunteer Role Description Ward Trolley Service Service Co-ordinator Role Description Ward Trolley Service Operations Guidance Detailed working instructions are provided in the Tea Bar where the trolley is located when not in use. |