Skip to main content

This site is independent of the NHS and the Department of Health.

Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Volunteering
Grade
Volunteer
Contract
Voluntary: N/A
Hours
Part time - 3 hours per week (3hrs per week: Shifts available 7 days a week)
Job ref
DC804
Employer
Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Kingston Hospital
Town
Kingston
Closing
04/08/2024 23:59

Employer heading

Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Dining Companion Volunteer

Volunteer

Kingston Hospital - First Acute Trust in London to be rated Outstanding by CQC for Overall Quality and Leadership

Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is a district general hospital situated in a beautiful and remarkable part of the country – close to London yet surrounded by royal parks, historic buildings and the River Thames. We are located on a single site in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey and run several outpatient clinics in neighbouring areas including Raynes Park Health Centre and Teddington Memorial Hospital.

We employ 3,300+ staff who proudly and efficiently support over 350,000 people locally through a full range of diagnostic and treatment services and we have a national reputation for innovative developments in healthcare, particularly in 'patient-focused' care, day surgery and maternity services.

The South West London Collaborative Bank

Kingston Hospital is a part of the local South West London Collaborative and offer competitive bank rates to work across the three NHS trusts: St Georges, Kingston Hospital and Epsom & St Helier. Our Smart App booking system makes life easier for flexible working!

Health and Wellbeing & Staff Benefits

The Trust understands that benefits go beyond just financial rewards and offers a wide range of benefits that recognise staff contribution, provide opportunities for career development and offer initiatives to promote a healthy work-life balance
-Our Health Heroes Awards 2018 – Staff Retention and Wellbeing Employer of the Year.
-HPMA Vivup Award for Well Being 2019.

Trust Values

Kingston Hospital NHS Trust has five key values and we want to employ and work with people who share these values and demonstrate behaviours that support them. They are: 

- Caring – Design and deliver care around each individual patient’s needs and wants.
- Safe – Make the safety of patients and staff our prime concern as safety comes first
- Responsible – All staff take responsibility for the hospital, its services and reputation
- Value Each Other – Value each other's contribution
- Inspiring - We always strive to empower each other to develop and deliver improvements to benefit our patients


 

Nutrition is a key element of recovery for our patients, and many of them are elderly, or have dementia, and need physical assistance with feeding. As a Dining Companion, you will be assisting ward staff and patients during mealtimes, which includes feeding some patients who need extra help.

We aim to have Dining Companions in every medical ward for lunch and dinner, seven days a week. To support this, we ask volunteers to commit to one mealtime every week on a regular basis, for a minimum of six month. If you can give more time, we welcome this.

Essential Information:

If you are interested in more than 1 role, please submit your application on your initial preference (other roles can be discussed at assessment).

Please kindly note, you will be given a 20-minute assessment on the week commencing throughout August at the Volunteering office.

The Mandatory training for this role will be on Tuesday 24th September 2024.

Please only apply if you are able to attend the above dates.

Please can you ensure you provide details for 2 references (one of which you have known for over 3 years) It is essential you provide an email address for each reference when submitting your application. Please note – you can provide a family friend but not a relative.

Please ensure to bring the below I.D documents to your assessment otherwise we will not be able to proceed with your assessment on the day.

A minimum of THREE individual forms of valid, current, and original identification are required. Please bring one document from group one (below) AND two documents from group two (Below):

Group One:

  • UK Passport
  • EEA/Swiss Passport
  • Other passport with indefinite leave to remain
  • Other Passport
  • Biometric Residence permit
  • Driving Licence photo card (UK, IOM or CI)
  • Current EU Photo Driving Licence
  • EU national identity card - EU only

Group Two:

  • Driving Licence photo card (UK, IOM or CI)
  • Current EU Photo Driving Licence
  • Driving licence - old-style paper licence (must be UK)
  • Bank statement (UK/EEA) - less than 3 months old
  • Utility bill - less than 3 months old (UK)
  • Utility bill - 2nd Supplier - less than 3 months old
  • Council Tax Statement – issued in the last 12 months
  • Mortgage statement (UK or EEA) must be a recognised lender and issued in the last 12 months.

NB: If you are aged 16 - 19 years, in full time education and you are unable to provide two documents from group 2 above, the following ID options can be used: 

  • Full UK birth certificate (A4 size original , not photocopy, containing mother and fathers details)
  • Letter from head teacher or college principal, confirming you are a student and containing your name, current address and date of birth, PLUS either an official exam certificate in your name or a National Insurance number letter.

If you are unable to or have difficulty in providing the above evidence, please give us a call on 0208 934 3620 / 2549

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardTrust IDCapital Nurse, LondonCommitted to being an Inclusive EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyLondon Living Wage is a voluntary commitment made by employers, who can become accredited with the Living Wage FoundationAge positivehttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kickstart-scheme-employer-resources/kickstart-scheme-brand-guidelinesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Our Health HeroesDisability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality MarkLondon HCSW Award - Sustainable RetentionNational Preceptorship Quality MarkDisability Advice Line

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Volunteering Team
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
020 8934 2549 / 3620
Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies