Published on: Thursday 20 Jun 2019 at 09:57
Our Young Ambassadors project is back for its fourth year running!
St Clare Hospice is offering young people aged 16-18 years the opportunity to come and volunteer on our Inpatient Unit in an exclusive six month hands-on clinical voluntary placement.
The St Clare ‘Young Ambassador’ scheme is open to all those who are interested in a career in medicine, nursing, or healthcare, and offers an opportunity to gain practical experience of the clinical world and voluntary sector. The project, now in its fourth year, aims to help students to enhance their college, university or job applications, whilst also offering valuable life skills development through direct contact with patients, families and hospice care teams.
Theo Hall, 17, who took part in St Clare’s Young Ambassadors scheme throughout 2018-19, said: “I applied for the Young Ambassadors project at St Clare right after my GCSE’s. I saw it as an opportunity to learn more about patient care; to witness first-hand the way nurses and doctors work together to care for patients. Part of the reason why I applied for the Young Ambassadors Project was also to enhance my CV and help me write my personal statement on my university application.
“However, although I knew this project would ‘look good on paper,’ the actuality of taking part was so much better than I’d ever expected. Each day at St Clare, I would come home after my shift at the Hospice feeling content with myself. It was as if every day I was there, I had done a very good deed, and made somebody else’s day better.
“I learned about how different hospice teams all worked together to support patients holistically throughout their stay. It made me feel even more passionate about one day being in a similar position as those staff, where I, too, can help others live, and die, better.
“One of the most profound things I learned how to cope with was being around death and dying. Although a Hospice is all about life and living; people do die on the Inpatient Unit, and it was a privilege to have met many people who did pass away during my placement.”
“I am so glad I made the choice to apply to be a Young Ambassador at St Clare, as my time was eye-opening,” adds Theo. “I would highly recommend applying to be a Young Ambassador if you are considering a career in care!”
Read Theo’s full account of his experience as a Young Ambassador at stclarehospice.org.uk/blog
There are two placements available for 2019 which will give volunteers a unique insight into the variety of roles required to provide the highest standards of care to patients with life-limiting conditions. During the 6 months, volunteers will be responsible for vital housekeeping duties within the Inpatient Unit, as well as having the opportunity to shadow nursing staff and other clinical staff. The Young Ambassadors can also look forward to receiving advice from St Clare’s multidisciplinary team on how to proceed in pursuing a clinical career.
The Young Ambassador volunteers will also have the opportunity to blog about their experiences with St Clare, sharing with friends and family what hospice life and palliative care is really all about. Young Ambassadors are key representatives of St Clare, helping to show the public and the younger generation that hospices are about hope, trust and support.
The deadline for applications is 5th August, with interviews taking place 12th August. Placements commence in September 2019, ending in mid-February 2020.
Please note: this project is unlikely to be appropriate for anyone who has experienced a close bereavement within the last two years. Travel expenses are included.
Find out more about Young Ambassadors
For more information, please visit the St Clare website at stclarehospice.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/young-ambassador
Contact Rob Wallace, St Clare’s Voluntary Services Manager, via email at volunteer@stclarehospice.org.uk or phone 01279 773722 to request a full role description and an application form.