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Chaplaincy volunteers are trained lay visitors whose help complement the work of the chaplains by assisting with the spiritual pastoral and social support and care of those in hospital. Our volunteers come from many different backgrounds, but all enjoy spending time with people on a one-to-one basis.

 

When people are admitted to hospital (whether during an emergency or planned) they often have time to reflect and reassess their attitudes to life; their values, relationships, morals, and beliefs. The hospital chaplains are frequently people to whom patients and staff turn at such times of need or crisis. We work as part of the healing team in the hospital in conjunction with doctors, nurses and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

 

Chaplaincy volunteers play an important part within the chaplaincy department. Some “adopt” a ward and have an unhurried "bed to bed" ministry contacting and befriending those with faith and those without, or even those who are "some where in the middle". Others help us by ministering to people on a Sunday morning.

 

Applying to be a volunteer

Local people can become approved chaplaincy volunteers if they:

• have completed the initial training course (over ten weeks)

• are accepted by the hospital as voluntary workers

• are accepted by the chaplains as suitable and safe to practise

• have written recommendation from their local minister or spiritual leader

• are willing to undertake ongoing training in the role

For further information about becoming a chaplaincy volunteer, please contact the chaplaincy department (see below). You might also want to discuss your thoughts with your local minister or spiritual leader. We hope that those who come forward for training as volunteers will do so with the full support of their home church or faith group community.

 

 

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Training

Initial training to be a chaplaincy volunteer takes place over a ten-week period. You will attend talks and discussions, relating to hospital practice and experience. During the course, you will be able to explore with others what it might mean to be a patient or a member of staff in a busy modern hospital. You will have the opportunity to develop your communication and relationship skills and to recognise your own, joys, anxieties, hopes and fears. You may find yourself reconsidering your attitudes to various things like birth, life, change, growing old, loss, pain, suffering and death.

 

Feedback from participants in the past suggest that they have found the training course valuable, interesting and challenging.

 

Chaplaincy volunteers: work, responsibilities
and inter-relationships

1. the chaplaincy volunteer will be expected to make a minimum commitment of one morning or afternoon at an agreed time each week and to attend organised in-service training

2. the chaplaincy volunteer will be allocated to a ward on a regular basis (the allocation being made in consultation with the volunteer).

3. the chaplaincy volunteer will at all times observe the hospital’s rules, especially the rules of confidentiality. The chaplaincy volunteer should never abuse the privileged position in which (s)he works, in particular with regard to the relationship with patients and their relatives in matters concerned with privacy, faith and freedom of religions and philosophy

4. the chaplaincy volunteer will be expected to act under the direction and in consultation with the chaplains: using them as a resource and making recommendations back to them. They are encouraged to take part in a monthly pastoral reflective practice group on the day when they visit.

5. chaplaincy volunteers are free to withdraw from involvement in the scheme at any time after mutual discussion

 

 

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