Promoting Access to Health Services (P.A.T.H.S.)

The next training for volunteers will start in October 2010, but we welcome enquiries and applications from potential volunteers now.

Oxford Homeless Pathways has launched this volunteer project to provide vital support for vulnerable patients who attend Luther Street Medical Centre. Volunteers accompany patients to health appointments arranged by the Centre's doctors. All appointments are within Oxford City.

If you would like to volunteer please download our application pack. If you have any questions, please phone Jan Penrose, Volunteer Co-ordinator, on 01865 792126.

Why patients need your support

Luther Street Medical Centre is a medical practice that works exclusively with homeless people. Many of their patients lead chaotic lives, suffer from a chronic lack of confidence, and may feel threatened by places and people they are not familiar with. So they often do not attend hospital and other health related appointments arranged for them by Luther Street. This can seriously damage the already poor health that many of them suffer.

The PATHS project provides volunteers who can go with patients to their appointments, helping them to remember the time and day, find the their way there and back, and to feel confident enough to deal with new health staff.

Key tasks

Meet with the patient before the date of the appointment to introduce yourself and agree practical arrangements.
Go with them by public transport to the appointment.
Wait with them before the appointment and while they are being seen.
Sit in on the appointment with the patient if they want you to: possibly help the patient by taking notes of what is said, reminding them of any questions they wanted to ask the doctor etc.
Return with them if they ask you to.
Feed back to PATHS Volunteer Coordinator any outcomes of the appointment.
Attend monthly support meetings with the other volunteers and the Volunteer Coordinator.

Skills needed

Non-judgmental attitude.
Strong communication skills (listening and talking).
Organised, conscientious timekeeper.
Able to identify and maintain clear boundaries.

Time commitment

Volunteers are asked to be available 3 - 4 hours a week during the working day. (Volunteers may not be needed every week.) We ask that you make an initial commitment of one year.

Supervision and support

Volunteers report to the Volunteer Coordinator, who organises monthly supervision sessions, which are an opportunity for volunteers to share their thoughts and experiences.

Benefits to you

This is a challenging, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding role, and we hope you will gain both satisfaction and enjoyment from it
You may gain interpersonal skills and experience that will benefit you in your life and work.
You will be making a valuable contribution to the health and well-being of a group of vulnerable and marginalised people.

How to apply

If you would like to apply to be a volunteer please download the following application pack (Word documents):

The completed application form and Equal Opportunities monitoring form should be returned by post or e-mail to:

Jan Penrose, Volunteer Coordinator
Oxford Homeless Medical Fund
Luther Street Medical Centre
PO Box 7
St Aldates
Oxford OX1 1TD
ohmfvolunteers@btconnect.com

Criminal records/references required/ISA registration

Because you will be working with vulnerable people, all volunteers will be asked to:

Complete a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
Provide two references from people who have known you in a professional capacity and who can vouch for your reliability and honesty.

Your suggestions are welcome

This is a new project, and we are looking at ways of expanding our volunteer programme to other areas of Oxford Homeless Pathways. We welcome suggestions about how we can improve the running of the project and also any suggestions you may have for other volunteer roles.