Volunteer Bereavement Counselling Receptionist

Department: Bereavement Counselling Services (BCS)

Location: Teesside Hospice, 1 Northgate Road, Middlesbrough TS5 5NW

Time Requirement:  Flexible to suit you, Volunteering hours will fall within the Bereavement Counselling Service’s opening times of: Mondays 9.00am to 5.00pm, Tuesdays – Thursdays 09.00am to 7.00pm and Fridays 9.00am to 5.00pm.

DBS Check needed? Yes

Age Requirements: From 18 years old plus

Role Summary:  The aim of the role of our reception volunteers is to provide support to colleagues involved with the delivery of services and other essential activities. The role does not expect volunteers to manage the whole administration service but to provide help and assistance to colleagues, so that local administration is as effective as possible.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a full range of administration support for clients, staff and volunteer counsellors.  This may include filing, photocopying, reception duties and answering the telephone
• Liaise with administration staff and other colleagues regarding day-to-day administration duties of the Bereavement Counselling Service (BCS)
• Recognising, implementing and adhering to the range of policies and procedures that impact on the administrative processes
• Use professional communication skills to converse effectively with a wide range of people
• Welcome visitors to the service in a professional, friendly manner while actively maintaining the security of the area
• Always recognise and respect client confidentiality
• Present with appropriate workplace behaviour
• Offer a professional approach when in new/challenging situations
• Show respect, to all users of the BCS
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Act as an ambassador for Teesside Hospice and promote the service
• Understand the service and why clients are accessing the service
• Show resilience, and offer empathy, care and compassion to our clients
   

Personal qualities: 

• Good knowledge of IT
• Excellent communication skills
• Commitment to the volunteering service
• Ability to work alone and as part of team
• Friendly, approachable, respectful and professional approach
• Resilience to be able to work in a challenging environment, such as the BCS
   

Training requirements:

• Teesside Hospice Mandatory Training, including Safeguarding etc
• Volunteer Induction Training
   

Communications:

The Head of Bereavement Services or Counselling Co-Ordinator will regularly provide you with any information updates, training opportunities and upcoming events appropriate to your role.

You will be provided with a Teesside Hospice volunteer badge
 

Benefits:

• 20% discount off purchases made in our shops.
• Opportunities for training and personal development
• Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses
• Provided lunch if you volunteer for more than 5 hours per day
• Access to discounts with other retailers and companies
• 10% discount in the Northgate Tea Rooms.
   

If you're friendly, reliable, and eager to contribute to our cause, we'd love to have you join our team!

Teesside Hospice is committed to eliminating discrimination and values diversity in the workplace.

Employee Testimonial:

Kerry

Reception Volunteer

“My name’s Kerry, and I’ve been volunteering for Teesside Hospice for just 5 weeks now. I’ve been volunteering in both the reception and the In-Patient Unit, as well as helping out at the Lymphoedema reception too. Over the past few weeks I’ve been taking calls and messages, greeting people, helping them sign in at reception. In IPU, I’ve been helping create packs for families and giving my support."