Flower Volunteer

The purpose of this role is to replace or refresh flowers in the patients' rooms, enhancing each patient’s environment. We have patients on our Pentland Ward and in our Wellbeing Unit. Hospice staff and volunteers are expected to reflect our Hospice Values in the way they carry out their roles, and in their interactions with each other and with patients, family members and any other visitors. Our Values are: Care and Compassion, Respect, Trust and Partnership.

The volunteer role includes the following responsibilities:

• Follow all infection control guidelines including appropriate use of PPE (Aprons, gloves).
• Check condition of floral arrangements in patient’s rooms. Refresh or replace as required.
• If a patient has no flowers in their room, please offer fresh flowers in the form of a small posy or single flower arrangement, depending on availability of flowers.
• Refresh water in vases on a daily basis, ensuring vases are clean and substituting if necessary.
• Regularly wash out used vases as required.
• If flowers are to be replaced, ensure you receive the patient’s (or their families) permission for this to happen.
• Keeping the Flower room clean and tidy.
• Occasionally buying flowers with the agreement of the Volunteer Services Manager – expenses will be reimbursed.
• Understanding of the work and values of St Columba’s Hospice. Willing to keep informed and stay updated about our work.
• Be an ambassador of St Columba’s Hospice.
• Follow Infection Control guidelines.
• Excellent people skills.
• Confidentiality.
• Good understanding of the best use of flowers in a Hospice setting.
• Ability to work as part of the Flower Team – without close supervision, but within Hospice processes.
• A strong understanding of the need for and importance of patient and client confidentiality and boundaries, at all times.
• Confidence and sensitivity when dealing with difficult information from distressed and anxious patients or relatives.
• Willingness to work as part of the wider Hospice team, and with staff and volunteers as required.
• Willingness to attend group supervision, and continuing professional development updates.
• Experience of working with people with advanced illness is helpful, though not essential.

Time commitment and duration: One afternoon on a weekly or fortnightly basis, between 2pm and 5pm. The role will be reviewed annually.

Recruitment checks:

• Interview with Volunteer Services Manager.
• Application Form.
• Two references.
• Basic Police Disclosure.

Training:

• Hospice Volunteer Induction Programme.
• Hospice Orientation.
• Team / role induction and training.
• Team meetings (if/as necessary).

Additional information:

• Hospice Chaplains are always available to support volunteers.
• Volunteers may claim reasonable travelling expenses for transport to and from the Hospice, or the place you volunteer, e.g. one of our retail shops. Please speak to your manager about this.
• Flower expenses will be reimbursed but expenditure must have prior agreement from the Volunteer Services Manager.
• The Hospice provides complimentary tea and coffee to all volunteers, staff, patients and families as part of the hospitality strategy.
• If you volunteer for a full day at the Hospice, you can claim a free meal from the staff café or Iona Café. Please speak to your manager about this.

Alternatively, please email us at volunteer@stcolumbashospice.org.uk to request a paper application form, or to ask us any questions about the role.