Community Connect - We do, why don’t you?

By Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Community Connect We do, why don’t you?

Community Connect – Connecting People to the Community Join our team at your local Community Hospital in Arundel

The present Arundel Hospital was opened in 1932, built on land donated by Bernard, Duke of Norfolk and funded by local people and businesses

Sussex Community Foundation Trust (SCFT) are the main provider of community NHS health and care across Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, High Weald Lewes and Havens and West Sussex. We work to help people plan, manage and adapt to changes in their health, to prevent avoidable admission to hospital and to minimise hospital stay.

Our vision

In all we do our work is driven by our vision of

excellent care at the heart of the community.

The aim is to deliver ‘the right services to the right people, in the right place, by the right people and at the right time.

Meet our ward manager Leonie Kirwan, who is supporting our volunteer program. Leonie said “volunteers make such a difference to the hospital they will support the smooth running of the ward”

Volunteers are very much an integral part of our vision We have a dedicated Voluntary and Community Development service that provides support across the organisation. Our Volunteering Programme has been awarded the Investing in Volunteers UK Quality Standard. At SCFT we rely on volunteers to support our work.

Volunteers play a huge part in supporting the delivery of care to the many people who use our services. We have a diverse number of volunteer roles in Arundel that help towards achieving the trust ambition and improving patient care. Staff, patients, carers and volunteers themselves gain a lot of value from being an integral part of our teams. You can play a very important part by helping us enhance the quality of care to our patients and supporting our staff. Your local community hospital needs the support of volunteers. Most volunteering takes place 7 days a week. Shift patterns are two/three hours. We do ask for a commitment of six months although there may be other opportunities to volunteer for a shorter period subject to availability.

Community Connect is a brilliant way for you to: • Build your confidence • Learn new skills • Make new friends • Improve your wellbeing We offer a comprehensive training programme, you can choose to work towards the certificate of Health Education England.

At SCFT we recognise the importance of volunteers. • We recognise the contribution volunteers make to service delivery • Volunteers contribute to the increase in resource for our services • Volunteers have a positive impact on the quality and innovation which leads to an increase in our Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating

We offer support whilst in your role which include a supervision programme and peer support. You will forge new relationships and always feel an integral part of the team Rosemary and Elaine (pictured opposite) are two of our volunteers. Here's what they've said about volunteering for the Trust:

Rosemary

Rosemary said:“I really enjoy volunteering, I’ve met lots of friendly people - a real range of different people, old and young and have had really interesting conversations with so many of them and they are all so appreciative of us volunteers. The volunteer team is a good team to work with, we have lots of laughs and feel we are doing a worthwhile job.”

Elaine said: “I've been a volunteer for SCFT for over ten years having started with my dog, who's PAT therapy dog. I later moved to a driving team and then a ward placement. During this time I was also honoured to be part of the hugely successful Covid Vaccination volunteer team. Working with SCFT is extremely rewarding and can cover many interesting roles, I am a very proud member of the trust”.

The roles we offer are varied and interesting for example • Ward Helper - This is to support ward staff with non-clinical tasks, this will aim to promote patient experience and wellbeing To find out more about volunteering for SCFT: Scan our QR code or go to our website http://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/work-with-us/ volunteering/ If you can’t find what you are looking for the please email the team Email: SC-TR.Voluntary-Services@nhs.net Phone: 01273 696011 ext.8388

Elaine