Mealtime Assistant Ward Volunteer

A mealtime assistant volunteer supports patients on the wards through a variety of specific mealtime tasks. These volunteers play a crucial role in the hospital, helping to support the wellbeing of patients and reduce the risk of malnutrition/dehydration, which is a vital part of a patient’s recovery. The volunteer will provide the patients with the assistance that they need to ‘get ready’ and enjoy their mealtimes as well as support the patients at mealtimes ensuring the food and drink is suitably accessible, encouraging and assisting patients to eat/drink, feeding patients and providing companionship.

What’s involved

• Reporting to nurse in charge
• Removing personal items from table ready for food tray
• Offering opportunities for hand washing
• Checking that the food delivered is the food ordered and appropriate for patient
• Providing verbal encouragement and prompting patients with their meals
• In agreement with nurse in charge, providing appropriate level of physical assistance to enable patient to eat independently
• Aid in opening packets, taking lids off bowls, cutting up food if required
• Clearing away food trays once the patient has finished eating
• After meals, supporting with menus and meal ordering
• Replenish water jugs for those patients who are not fluid restricted or require thickened fluids
• Providing companionship to patients

Skills

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills
• Willing to learn and to follow instruction from members of staff
• Good attention to detail
• Committed to help and support staff and the ability to liaise with professionals at all levels
• Punctual and reliable
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Understanding of the need for confidentiality