Devon Carers

Category: Aging Well, Carers Support Groups, Loneliness

Devon Carers Hospital Service Team Volunteer Vacancies 

Unpaid carers, usually family and friends, are defined as people who provide unpaid support that someone else relies on. They are recognised as having comparable rights to support as the people that they help in the Care Act 2014. This is because helping a family member or friend can be very demanding and time consuming and this can take its toll on health and wellbeing.   

Devon County Council task Devon Carers, managed by the charity Westbank Community Health and Care Ltd  provide this service and Devon County Council and NHS fund the work of The Hospital Services Team.   

We aim to help unpaid carers maintain their own health and wellbeing and to care safely, effectively, and confidently, to provide advice and information and to find the right support at the right time and adhere to all Westbank policies and procedures.   

We work with, and receive referrals from. The hospitals across Devon and visit wards in Royal Devon and Exeter, North Devon District, Torbay and Derriford Hospitals. We receive about 300 referrals a month. Last year worked with 3698 people. In 2021 we received a national award for our innovative and responsive carer led service.  

The National Award-Winning Hospital Services Team, work with family and friends for up to 6 weeks following discharge when either themselves, or the person they support, have been in hospital.

Volunteers are essential and valued members of the team.  

Volunteering is a great opportunity to talk to all sorts of people, enhance your CV and receive a reference, increase your understanding of the Heath and Social Care Sector, receive training, support, agreed expenses, and feel appreciated.  These are flexible roles to suit your availability. 

We have vacancies for the following volunteer roles: 

Check in and Chat telephone social and emotional support 

Information and Awareness Volunteers help keep our information boards up to date in hospitals and help with pop up events 

Office and admin support 

 

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