Peer support is delivered on the neonatal units by parents who have had lived experience of neonatal care.
You will support parents who are currently admitted onto the unit, acting as a listening ear and a friendly face.
Peer support encourages people to share their thoughts, feelings, hopes and fears. Research suggests that peer support can help people feel happier, less isolated, and more empowered. It can have a positive impact on long term mental health and wellbeing. Having someone to talk to can relieve stress and feelings of isolation for both parents and wider family members. It gives people the opportunity to talk openly about their emotions, worries and helps to validate feelings. Spoons aim to alleviate stress and reduce isolation for families who experience neonatal care,
providing support from admission to the neonatal unit and beyond.
Key information
- Volunteer: Weekly
- Tasks: - Meet with parents and families on the neonatal unit to provide peer support in line with Spoons volunteer peer support model
- Develop knowledge of Spoons services
- Appropriately signpost parents to Spoons resources and other relevant support services
- Ensure neonatal units have Spoons resources and provide to parents when appropriate
- Promote Spoons community groups and online support network to ensure parents have access to support following discharge from neonatal care
- Build and maintain positive relationships with neonatal teams
- Liaise with Spoons Family Support Team
- Work in partnership with other Spoons volunteer peer supporters
- Attend Spoons volunteer away days and training events when required
- Attend 1:1 volunteer support meetings
- Carry out reporting and administration tasks relating to the role - Training: We ask that you attend our peer support training (2 days) and complete the hospital trust e-learning and induction to become a Spoons peer support volunteer
- Interests: Community, Disability, Families, Health and wellbeing, Hospitals, Mental Health, Women
- Activities: Befriending, Support Work
- Home Based: No
- DBS Check: Yes
- Develop knowledge of Spoons services
- Appropriately signpost parents to Spoons resources and other relevant support services
- Ensure neonatal units have Spoons resources and provide to parents when appropriate
- Promote Spoons community groups and online support network to ensure parents have access to support following discharge from neonatal care
- Build and maintain positive relationships with neonatal teams
- Liaise with Spoons Family Support Team
- Work in partnership with other Spoons volunteer peer supporters
- Attend Spoons volunteer away days and training events when required
- Attend 1:1 volunteer support meetings
- Carry out reporting and administration tasks relating to the role