Volunteering Opportunity: VOLUNTEER COMPLEMENTARY MASSAGE THERAPIST GROVE HOUSE, ST ALBANS with Rennie Grove Hospice Care

Why do the Complementary therapist team need your help?
Complementary therapists work with our patients and their carers or family members to offer a range of treatments that help to contribute to their relaxation and well-being. Treatments will be offered in clients’ homes, virtually or at our Living Well centre in St Albans. Without volunteers, we would not be able to offer this service to all those that would benefit from it.

Where will you be volunteering?
Across our nursing area in Buckinghamshire and west Hertfordshire in clients’ homes and at our Living Well centre at Grove House, St Albans.

How much time are we asking you to give?
Flexible depending on your availability, but we would hope that you could offer a minimum of 2 treatments a week.

Opportunity Type: Long-term Commitment

District: Dacorum, East Herts, Hertsmere, Luton, North Herts, St Albans, Watford, Welwyn/Hatfield

Location: From your office

Time of day: Weekday Mornings, Weekday Afternoons

Practical Considerations: What you need to know
• there will be an informal interview where you can find out more about the role and discuss if it is right for you; this will be either face to face, on the telephone or virtually
• you will complete a volunteer application form and we will ask for 1 reference from someone who knows you in a professional context

Requirements: Relevant qualification or training, Will require a criminal record check (DBS), Own vehicle or access to a vehicle, Driving licence

Suitable for: Aged 26 and over

Suitable for volunteers interested in: Health and Wellbeing

Does this opportunity provide wheelchair access?: Yes

Full Description:
What will you be doing?
• providing your chosen therapy or therapies to patients, carers and family members in a holistic way, with an understanding of their diagnosis, treatment, care and current condition
• providing feedback to our complementary therapist co-ordinator after treatments
• attending regular mandatory group or individual supervision
• following all Rennie Grove Hospice care policies and procedures at all times, particularly around infection control and client confidentiality
• working alongside our nurses and clinicians to provide a holistic approach for our patients

What are we looking for?
• someone who is competent in at least one of the following therapies: ITEC (or equivalent) massage and Indian head massage; acupuncture; aromatherapy; reflexology; craniosacral therapy; scar therapy; reiki; relaxation or meditation
• a minimum of one year’s clinical experience after qualification is preferred
• a qualification that is validated by the appropriate professional body
• someone who has an understanding of contraindications or precautions in relation to the therapy you practice, and is able to adapt your treatment accordingly
• evidence of continual professional development
• someone with a calm and empathetic manner with excellent listening and communication skills
• the ability to be flexible, but able to commit to regular sessions
• basic IT skills to be able to keep concise, accurate records

Training and support
• you will be line managed by our Complementary therapist co-ordinators
• there will be some mandatory training that you will need to complete at the start of your volunteering with us and then periodically afterwards as refresher training
• all our Family Support volunteers attend a two-day introductory training course run by the FSS team, and additional training will be provided on a 1:1 basis with the complementary therapies team
• we will set up a Rennie Grove email account for you which you can access over the internet. This will be used for all communication about clients to ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times
• we will ask you to complete an online data protection training module to help with your understanding of data protection and confidentiality
• there will be a short settling in period to make sure you are happy in this role and the role is right for you