Volunteers

Introduction

Jersey Hospice Care offers a highly professional service provided by specialist trained staff who are active both within the community and at Clarkson House itself. We also rely on a team of committed volunteers who provide valuable help and support for both patients and families.

Fundraising

Many volunteers are also involved in a wide range of Fundraising activities. If you can’t make a regular commitment but still want to help out, then this is the role for you. Throughout the year Jersey Hospice Care has a number of events including our Million Pound Lottery, Dragon Boat Races as well as bazaars, fetes and fairs which require a lot of helpers.

If you are interested, the Fundraising team will be delighted to speak to you, so don’t hesitate to call them on 510349.

Shop Volunteers

There are two Jersey Hospice Care shops. We have a town shop in St Helier and a country shop in St Ouen. We are always keen to speak to new volunteers. If you’re interesting in joining the shop team please contact the Retail Manager on 876555.

Clarkson House Volunteers

Prospective volunteers who wish to help in the care of patients and their families are invited to attend a selection/ training course which gives them an opportunity to learn in depth about our work and which area would be most suited to their skills and talents. It is only after successful completion of this course that a volunteer will be allocated to an area of work at Clarkson House. An ongoing education and support programme is offered.

Clarkson House Volunteers work in many different areas:-

In-Patient Unit (IPU)

Here the tasks undertaken by volunteers are many and varied, but they do not include nursing duties. The volunteer within the IPU is always under the direction of the nurse in charge and may include sitting with a patient, manning the nurses’ station, serving tea or coffee to visitors or helping in the kitchen. A volunteer who wishes to work within Clarkson House, but who would prefer little contact with patients, can become a housekeeper volunteer. This is particularly useful at weekends.

Day Hospice 

The volunteers’ duties in this busy area vary but include talking to patients, taking part in various activities, helping with outings and offering specialised skills such as hairdressing.

Home Care Service

Volunteers who are very experienced in hospice work may be asked to sit with a patient in the patient’s home. They may be asked to do some shopping for a patient or to accompany them on a shopping trip.

Bereavement Service

In order to become a volunteer Bereavement Support Worker, an intensive specialist training course must be completed. Further details can be obtained by contacting the Bereavement Service on 285144.

Gardening 

Our beautiful gardens at Clarkson House are largely maintained by a group of green fingered volunteers.

Driving

Volunteers who are on the register of drivers are primarily used to transport patients to and from the Day Hospice. They may also be asked to take patients to hospital appointments or to bring relatives to visit the In-Patient Unit.

How to find out more:

Jersey Hospice Care has two volunteers’ organisers who are responsible for recruitment, for volunteers’ education programmes and for co-ordinating the rotas. Training/selection courses are usually held twice a year.

For more details of how you may be able to help at Clarkson House and for dates of the next course, please telephone 876555 during weekday office hours.