Volunteering opportunities in the HOPE Team

Here’s what some of our HOPE Facilitator’s have to say:

“Although sceptical about my ability to be a Facilitator for the HOPE course at first the Trainer’s totally put me at ease. There was a great group ethos and all of us on the course were fully engaged. The course content was fascinating and aligned well with my current role status as being a Health Coach I dealt with many elements of the course matter already. This course however heightened my understanding of very tricky subject matter and added insights to previously accrued knowledge. I have met some lovely people and feel confident going forwards regarding presenting the course matter, I can’t wait to get started.”

“As a participant I completed a HOPE course online during the initial stages of Covid, and it was a life saver for me. The ideas and simple exercises in the course (e.g. keeping a gratitude diary) sustained me then, and still does help elevate my mood.

I was really touched when Olivia asked me if I would consider becoming a co-facilitator – it took me a while to agree, but the training was helpful (although a bit scary as again it was online). But when I worked with Teresa in a face to face group -as a newly qualified co-facilitator- then I had the most fun!! And also, it proved that it could support me too. For the first time I was able to say to a group of strangers that sometimes I struggle with low mood. And this has enabled me to tell some of my family – as I have always tried to hide my dark times.

So, I have completed one course as a co-facilitator!!”

“I completed the HOPE course, shortly after joining the trust 6 months ago. The course was specifically for NHS staff and it was great to meet other staff members and understand what it is like to work here, especially in the clinical side. I looked forward to the course every week, and loved learning skills that are helpful in everyday life, many of the skills I still use, and help me every day. I recently had the opportunity to train as a HOPE course facilitator and had an excellent two days training. I met a wonderful group of people and felt we had really bonded by the end of the course. I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity and can’t wait to facilitate my first course in the coming months! I really believe this course has something for everyone and teaches skills that can help us all.”

“I have been a HOPE facilitator for just over 2 years now. My first face to face course delivery was with a newly created HOPE group for plus sized people with significant weight and health complications. I feel pleased to have had the experience to deliver a group face to face as soon after this ended, COVID 19 hit causing the HOPE courses to move online. My experience since this has been online delivery which I have enjoyed and find very enjoyable to do. I do miss meeting people face to face but I like being able to offer support from the comfort of people’s own home. To hear the connections that are built over the 6 weeks and see active regular communication and ongoing support with each other post HOPE is so rewarding to know that facilitating the group was the first step to these self-help connection forming. Being a HOPE facilitator allows you to meet new people, create connections and help offer and share self-help tools for people to try to positively boost their wellbeing and management. I am glad to have been offered this opportunity and look forward to my next facilitation of a HOPE course.”

A Volunteer HOPE Facilitator can either be a health, wellbeing or social care staff member from any sector, or a volunteer who, perhaps has lived experience of a mental and/or physical health condition(s), and who has attended a HOPE Programme.

The face-to-face and virtual HOPE Programme courses are delivered, usually, with 2 trained facilitators and can be delivered on a day and time to suit both facilitators. The digital HOPE Programme is delivered by a minimum of two trained facilitators over 6-8 weeks.

The HOPE facilitator role is voluntary. If you are a health, wellbeing and social care staff member you will require line manager approval to complete any training and to deliver courses within your normal working hours.

As a Volunteer HOPE Facilitator you commit to:

• Helping to facilitate a 6-8week course, 2-2.5 hours, a minimum of twice a year.
• For face-to-face courses, arriving at least 30 minutes before to set up, as well as leaving at least 30 minutes at the end of the session to clear up and debrief.
• Ensuring relevant paperwork is completed by yourself and the participants attending, and that this is returned to the HOPE Coordinator promptly and securely.
• Responding to relevant communications (emails, meeting invites, telephone contact).
• Providing up-to-date contact details.
• Ensuring all information shared during the programme remains confidential.
• Looking after yourself and your wellbeing and to raise any issues/concerns that you may have to the HOPE Coordinator.
• Informing the HOPE Coordinator of any disclosures and/or perceived safeguarding issues.
• Keeping up-to-date / ‘in the loop’ with what is going on regarding HOPE – please read all emails and newsletters sent to you.
• Ensuring you’ve got a HOPE Facilitator Manual and to bring this to each to each session. If your manual is lost or damaged – to inform the HOPE Coordinator so that you can be provided with a replacement.
• Completing the expense form if you wish to be reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses (travel, parking, any additional resources bought).

If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer HOPE Facilitator, please complete our online expression of interest form: https://forms.microsoft.com/e/KSpA8Jynzg

Please also download a copy of the HOPE Facilitator Best Practice Agreement for further information about the HOPE Facilitator role.

If you have recently completed a HOPE Programme as a participant and now wish to train as a Volunteer HOPE Facilitator, you will need to be registered as a Volunteer with the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

Volunteer Application and Recruitment Process:

1. You will indicate your interest in the role as a Volunteer HOPE Facilitator with the HOPE Programme by completing the online expression of interest form: Microsoft Form
2. The Facilitator Best Practice Agreement and Role Description will need to be read, signed and returned to hope.devon@nhs.net
3. You will also need to complete the Volunteer Application Form: HOPE Co-Facilitator Volunteer | Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust Volunteering
4. A HOPE Coordinator will forward your application and/or role description to the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT) volunteer service for processing.
5. Once received, someone from the Volunteer Services Team will be in touch to arrange an informal meeting (either in person or via Microsoft Teams), an opportunity for us to get to know you and vice versa.
6. Following the meeting, if we are all (you included) happy to proceed the Volunteer Services Team will complete documentation needed. At this point, references will be checked and a Disclosure Barring Service will be applied for in your name.
7. The final stage of the volunteer application process is to complete online mandatory induction training, which can be done in your own time and at your own pace. In person mandatory training can be arranged if preferable, this is over one full day, on the Torbay Hospital site.
8. A HOPE Coordinator will be in touch regarding training for the role once confirmation has been received from the Volunteer Services Team that you are now a registered volunteer with the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.
9. Attend HOPE Facilitator Training Programme.

The training is different depending on whether you choose to facilitate face-to-face and virtual, OR digital HOPE.

Face-to-Face and Virtual

You will be invited to attend a HOPE Facilitator training programme which can be attended in person (over two consecutive days) or online via Microsoft Teams (over four half days). During this training programme you will be expected to deliver as part of the training, like you would do when facilitating a real-life HOPE Programme, this will be done in a really relaxed and casual way, so we hope this isn’t too nerve wracking! It’s a wonderful couple of days, which we hope you’ll really enjoy. At the end of this you will co-facilitate your first HOPE Programme where you will be assessed and accredited as a HOPE Programme Co-Facilitator. The expectation is that you will deliver a minimum of two programmes a year to maintain skills acquired. You are very welcome to deliver more than two programmes a year, if you’re able to.

Facilitators will be contacted by their local HOPE Coordinator every two years to arrange a re-assessment and ongoing feedback.

Digital

Level 1:

• Complete online HOPE training
• Become familiar with facilitator platform and training resources
• Complete and pass level 1 online assessment
• Complete and return Hope for the Community Facilitator’s Best Practice Agreement (online)
• You will receive feedback on your level 1 assessment
• You will then be allocated your first digital HOPE Programme

Level 2 & 3:

• Use level 1 feedback to demonstrate understanding and improvement during the programme
• Week 3 – complete and pass level 2 in practice assessment
• Use level 2 feedback to demonstrate understanding and improvement during the programme
• Week 6 or 8 – complete level 3 reflective learning
• Following level 3 feedback and completion, you are an accredited HOPE Digital Facilitator
• The expectation is that you will deliver a minimum of two programmes a year to maintain skills acquired. You are very welcome to deliver more than two programmes a year, if you’re able to
• Facilitators will be contacted by their local HOPE Administrator every two years or six courses to arrange a re-assessment and ongoing feedback.