Workshop summary Identifying and managing the challenges of engaging volunteers in care homes from the perspectives of care

home staff, residents and relatives and volunteers Stakeholder group Care home staff Challenge theme Staff not very welcoming as feeling threatened volunteers spying on them or taking their jobs Possible solutions/preventative measures Make the volunteer roles clear to staff and the restrictions to their roles Promote the benefits for staff for having this additional resource Staff learning from volunteers e.g. developing opportunities around digital involvement Be clear about boundaries for all Involve all in the development of the project Communicate to staff and residents what you are trying to achieve. Clear task/role descriptions (not a care role Need to be clear about the role of volunteers adding value to residents lives not job replacement Value what matters Training would help with many challenges but funding difficult Wider cultural change is required in the industry if it is to become sustainable Have a named volunteer manager. Link to volunteer management training Embed volunteering in all aspects of home life Promote the benefits for staff for having this additional resource Staff learning from volunteers e.g. developing opportunities around digital involvement Clarity about who will make the time to introduce/manage the volunteers Highlight the benefits. Worth the investment Volunteers have clearly defined roles Reinforce with processes DBS checks, references, training, volunteers profiles

Restricted resources of time and finance

Concerns about competency

Residents and relatives

Attachment concerns

Competency of volunteers

Seek regular feedback from residents, their relatives and friends. Seek out changing needs Be clear with residents that volunteers will come for as long as they can. Things may change. Good communication to explain about processes that have been put in place Communicate successes between projects and in the press Involve residents and relatives in the training. Trusted staff introduce volunteers. Reinforce with processes DBS checks, references, training, volunteers profile Opportunity for quality time Stress benefits of having this additional support to both relatives and residents. Look to involve relatives Need to keep relatives in the loop Stress the positives of the role joy of giving and contributing to care Support volunteers to feel part of the staff team Good training, induction, support and supervision. Invest time in understanding what the volunteers want to get out of their roles. Good induction, layout, procedures and time table. Defined role A person centred profile for each volunteer Inducted into the staff team, need to know the info in the care plan, introduced properly to residents. Ensure they are supported and receive feedback so that they feel valued. Ensure that this is covered in the training and induction Cover in training and on-going support. Care home staff will be particularly important here to provide guidance

Exclusion of relatives

Volunteers

Alienation in an unfamiliar environment

Working with frail vulnerable people with complex needs

Provide volunteers with follow up support

Attachment/guilt Barriers (onerous training and induction processes)

Need to check if training has been helpful Tap into existing resources dementia friends and dementia champions Knowing who to go to if have any worries or concerns Ensure that this is covered in the training and induction Support and preparation Make it clear from outset the importance of these processes Dont call it training Highlight good news stories of the project