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 Challenge theme Possible solutions/preventative measuresCare home staff Staff not very welcoming as feeling

threatened – volunteers spying on them or taking their jobs

Make the volunteer roles clear to staff and the restrictions to their rolesPromote the benefits for staff for having this additional resourceStaff learning from volunteers e.g. developing opportunities around digital involvementBe clear about boundaries for allInvolve all in the development of the projectCommunicate to staff and residents what you are trying to achieve.Clear task/role descriptions (not a care roleNeed to be clear about the role of volunteers – adding value to residents’ lives – not job replacement

Restricted resources of time and finance Value what mattersTraining would help with many challenges but funding difficultWider cultural change is required in the industry if it is to become sustainableHave a named volunteer manager. Link to volunteer management trainingEmbed volunteering in all aspects of home lifePromote the benefits for staff for having this additional resourceStaff learning from volunteers e.g. developing opportunities around digital involvementClarity about who will make the time to introduce/manage the volunteersHighlight the benefits. Worth the investment

Concerns about competency Volunteers have clearly defined rolesReinforce with processes – DBS checks, references, training, volunteers’ profiles

Seek regular feedback from residents, their relatives and friends. Seek out changing needs

Residents and relatives Attachment concerns 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

Competency of volunteers Communicate successes between projects and in the pressInvolve residents and relatives in the training.

Trusted staff introduce volunteers. Reinforce with processes – DBS checks, references, training, volunteers’ profile

Exclusion of relatives Opportunity for quality timeStress benefits of having this additional support to both relatives and residents. Look to involve relativesNeed to keep relatives in the loop

Volunteers Alienation in an unfamiliar environment Stress the positives of the role – joy of giving and contributing to careSupport volunteers to feel part of the staff teamGood 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 roleA person centred profile for each volunteerInducted 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.

Working with frail vulnerable people with complex needs

Ensure that this is covered in the training and inductionCover in training and on-going support. Care home staff will be particularly important here to provide guidance

Provide volunteers with follow up support

Need to check if training has been helpfulTap into existing resources – dementia friends and dementia championsKnowing who to go to if have any worries or concerns

Attachment/guilt Ensure that this is covered in the training and inductionSupport and preparation

Barriers (onerous training and induction processes)

Make it clear from outset the importance of these processesDon’t call it trainingHighlight good news stories of the project