Spiritual care volunteers

The Chaplaincy team at Southampton General Hospital are always on the look out for more volunteers to assist in the sometimes demanding but very rewarding spiritual care of patients in hospital. The team consists of 7 full time chaplains, of different denominations, 2 part-time chaplains, a secretary, and a number of volunteers. Volunteers are used in a number of roles within the department.

Sunday Volunteers

These are a group of people who enable patients to attend the chapel for a Sunday service (9.30am Free Church and a Church of England service and a Roman Catholic service at 4.30pm). Their role consists of collecting patients from their wards, via bed, wheelchair or walking, attending to a patient’s non-medical needs throughout the service, and returning them back to the wards afterwards. Full moving and handling training is given. Volunteers need not come every Sunday, but preferably give a regular commitment, for example once a month.

Friday Volunteers

This group of people come into the hospital on a Friday morning and visit designated Wards, asking each patient if they would like to attend a Sunday service or receive a visit from a Chaplain. These lists are collated and returned to the Chaplaincy office by 2pm. It is a mainly administrative task, although does involve direct patient contact

Pastoral Volunteers

These volunteers, under the direction of a chaplain, visit patients on particular wards, offering listening, befriending and pastoral skills. This may also involve praying with patients, where appropriate.

Flower Arrangers

This group of volunteers are on a flower-arranging rota for the hospital chapel and decorate the chapel beautifully. Their work is much appreciated by the patients, their carers, the staff and visitors to the hospital.

All these posts are subject to satisfactory interview, police check and probationary period, involve some training and must adhere to Trust policies and procedures, including Confidentiality and Data Protection. Regular support will be given.

If you are interested in any of these positions and would like to talk further or arrange an informal visit, then please contact us| to find out more.