Background 2018 was Year of the Young Person in Scotland. The hospice traditionally offered existing single-department roles to young people wanting clinical experience for college or work. As part of its Leadership Programme, Volunteer Services wanted an innovative and sustainable project offering young volunteers a range of opportunities in clinical departments.

Objectives of the project

• To create a meaningful volunteering experience in healthcare for those aged 17–25;

• To offer experience of various clinical departments;

• To engage and build lasting, sustainable partnerships with local further education establishments, schools and organisations;

• To develop positive working relationships with clinical teams to support this project.

Method

• Engagement with clinical teams to create a programme of short term volunteering opportunities;

• Advertising via social media, local community links, local further education establishments, existing volunteer database;

• Interview and appointment of four young volunteers;

• Volunteers attended Hospice Corporate Induction and shadow trained for each role alongside volunteers and staff;

• Volunteers completed a programme of 50 hours volunteering over 18 weeks;

• Volunteers supported teams in the Wards, Day Therapies, Supportive Care, Reception and Fundraising;

• Regular feedback was given to young volunteers face–to–face and via email and telephone contact.

Results

• Four young people completed the programme: two university students and two from senior school;

• Young volunteers were placed in teams that had not had young volunteers before;

• Positive and long–lasting relationships were built with colleagues across the hospice

• Increased staff confidence in working with young volunteers;

• Young people gained invaluable palliative care experience and emotional resilience

• Staff are looking forward to the next cohort.

Conclusions

• Availability of young volunteers often changed, so allow time to be flexible;

• Work with schools and colleges on the best way to attract young volunteers;

• Hugely rewarding to young people but allow enough time and resources to set up and facilitate.