Opportunity type: Long-term Commitment
Role: Other
District: Farnworth
Time of day: Weekday Afternoons
Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access? Yes
Location: Indoor
Description: Role Title: Hospital Volunteer Where: The Rivington Unit at Royal Bolton Hospital When: Tuesday and/or Thursday, afternoons Commitment: A minimum of two hours per week Why we want you: We are looking for people to be part of BAND, a proactive and caring charity offering support to individuals who have a lived experience of mental health. Volunteers working in this role will: • Visit patients on the wards at the Rivington Unit, at Royal Bolton Hospital. • Listen to patients about their experiences. • Provide information about available support in the community. • Engage with patients via provided activities. • Work towards appropriate reporting of issues experienced by, and/or complaints from, patients. • Gather information from patients to help inform BAND/ward service provision. What’s in it for you: • Work experience, building professional relationships, and developing your skills. • Being part of a team that is making a difference to people in Bolton. • An opportunity to influence service provision – your feedback and ideas will change the service. • Work with the staff and volunteer team to provide the best service. • Volunteers will need to gain an understanding (appropriate to your role) of, and comply with, all relevant Family Action Policies and procedures. • Access to our standard e-learning package, giving you a great basic introduction to topics such as Safeguarding and Equality and Diversity. • Face-to-face training to ensure that you are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for this role. • Regular meetings with your supervisor to discuss any challenges you are facing, and celebrate your progress in the role. • Ongoing support from your supervisor and the wider team. • Reasonable travel, food and beverages expenses will be paid in accordance with our expenses policy. This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check. We encourage volunteers to stay for a minimum period of six months (or for the duration of the service) to make full use of the training and support offered. Volunteers will benefit from the experience of working with people affected by mental health conditions. This could enhance your own skills, providing opportunities in relation to future career development or for your own personal development. The skills and experience you need: • Understanding of the impact of mental health conditions on daily living. • Understanding of issues around confidentiality. • Empathic approach. • Good listening and communication skills. • Ability to work within structured boundaries. • Commitment to the work, and ongoing personal development. • Ability to work as part of a team. • Ability to work on own initiative. • Knowledge of mental health services in Bolton an advantage. BAND welcomes applications from people with personal experience of mental health conditions. General basic criteria: • A willingness to listen to, and prioritise, the needs of the people you work with for the time you are working with them. • A willingness to undertake, and to contribute to, training and your own development, to meet the needs of your chosen role(s). Role-specific basic criteria: • Notes: Volunteers play an important role in this project. You will receive full training and induction to the service followed by ongoing support and supervision with the project’s worker. Core training is required prior to undertaking a position and further training will be offered relevant to the post. Reasonable travel, food and beverages expenses will be paid in accordance with our expenses policy. For more information contact: Dave Coleman band@family-action.org.uk 01204 380643 Charity Registration Number: 264713 18 September 2025 Edit This Opportunity
Requirements: Will require a criminal record check (DBS)
Email: band@family-action.org.uk
Phone: 01204380643
