Introduction

Are you a friendly and caring person with a passion for community? The Leg Clinic is looking for volunteers!  The Leg Clinic provides treatment for people with a lower leg wound. It is set in a non-medical venue with the focus on socialising and community. Volunteers, alongside a member of staff, will support attendees, some of whom are socially isolated, before and after their treatment. This can be from making them cups of tea to having a chat. The volunteers will help contribute to a friendly and relaxed environment. We are looking for someone to join us on Thursdays in our South Bristol venue. Hours can be flexible. 

About Age UK Bristol

At Age UK Bristol we help make sure that everyone in Bristol can love later life. We do this by supporting and empowering older people, helping other organisations to work together, and championing the interests of older people in the city.

Our organisational objectives are to:

• Provide top-quality services and support to all older people in Bristol.
• Lead and enable collaboration between other organisations working with older people in Bristol
• Influence public spending and policies in a way that benefits older people in the city
• Promote positive attitudes to ageing in Bristol

We do this by:

• Providing quality information
• Delivering quality services
• Involving older people
• Giving older people a voice
• Working in partnership
• Maintaining an effective organisation

Volunteers are important and valued members of the team at Age UK Bristol. We will do our best to make your volunteer experience enjoyable and rewarding.

What is the Leg clinic?

The Leg clinic provides treatment for people with a lower leg wound, set in a non-medical venue with the focus on socialising and community. People can have a cup of tea and chat while they wait to see the nursing staff.

While we operate as a drop-in service, with no timed appointments, people have been referred by healthcare professionals from 7 of South Bristol’s surgeries.

Our staff work in partnership with attendees, volunteers and the local community.

Purpose of the Leg Clinic Volunteer

The Leg Clinic is looking to recruit volunteers to support people who attend.

Volunteers, alongside a member of staff, will support attendees before and after their treatment, making them cups of tea and having a chat. Due to the nature of drop-ins the clinic can fluctuate and have busy periods throughout the day. Some attendees are socially isolated, so volunteers will help contribute to a friendly and relaxed environment.

They will work with the support of the Friends Ageing Better (FAB) team, who are a network of older people in Bristol that promote community activity.

This is a varied role and can involve:

• Adhering to all Age UK Bristol policies and procedures, such as Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities.
• Setting up and packing down of refreshment station.
• Meeting and greeting people who attend the clinic. Welcoming and orientating new patients.
• Keeping sign-in sheets for attendees and ensuring they are seen in time order.
• Making refreshments.
• Washing up cups and keeping drink station/tables clean and tidy.
• Chatting with patients while they wait to be seen by nurse.
• Reassuring those who may be anxious.
• Highlighting any Safeguarding concerns to a member of staff.
• Providing information about events and activities happening in the local area with the support of the FAB team.
• Promoting FAB membership card scheme.
• Attending training sessions and volunteer meetings as appropriate.

The qualities and skills required for this role are

• A welcoming and friendly person.
• Good communication and literacy skills.
• An understanding of the needs of older people.
• Experience in care setting desirable but not essential.
• Good knowledge of your local area desirable but not essential.

Hours and location:

Leg clinic runs every Thursday 9am-4pm at the Withywood centre:                            

1 volunteer 8:45am- 12:30pm

1 volunteer 1:30pm – 4:15pm

However, we can be flexible with hours if someone is able to do all day or only a few hours morning/afternoon.

Training

We offer induction training and other relevant training opportunities to enable you to fulfil this volunteer role.

Expenses

Age UK Bristol will pay reasonable travel expenses. We can provide transportation to the café and back, and we will cover your expenditure at the café within reason.  

Further Information

For further information, please contact;

Abi Hill

• E-mail: abihill@ageukbristol.org.uk
• Phone: 0117 9281531