Volunteer Opportunity: Help Amplify Mental Health Patient Voices on the Clywedog Ward
Are you passionate about improving mental health services? Do you have personal experience with mental health inpaitent care or caring for someone who has? The Powys Patients’ Council (PPC) is looking for a compassionate volunteer to join our team and make a difference in the lives of patients on the Clywedog Ward at Llandrindod Wells War Memorial Hospital.
Your lived experience is the most important qualification for this role. Whether you’ve received care in an acute mental health setting or supported someone who has, your insight and empathy will help amplify the voices of patients who need it most.
The Powys Patients’ Council (PPC), funded by Powys Teaching Health Board and facilitated by PAVO’s Mental Health Team, gives a voice to people in acute mental health settings. Through regular, confidential, patient-only meetings, PPC volunteers with lived experience create a safe space for patients to share feedback, ask questions, and express their views on the care they receive.
This role is a meaningful opportunity to ensure patient voices are heard and to contribute to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
About the Role
As a PPC volunteer, you’ll create a safe space for patients to share feedback and ideas, helping to improve care and foster meaningful change. Your lived experience, whether as a patient or a supporter, makes you uniquely qualified to amplify patients’ voices.
What You’ll Do
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Attend monthly patient meetings on Clywedog Ward to gather feedback.
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Share updates at quarterly Engage to Change meetings.
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Work with patients, staff, and management to tackle challenges.
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Shadow experienced volunteers on Felindre Ward to build confidence.
Is This Role Right for You?
We’re looking for someone who:
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Has personal experience with admittance to an inpatient mental health ward or cared for someone who has.
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Can use their insight to inform discussions while maintaining personal boundaries.
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Is comfortable engaging in care-based discussions without compromising their own mental health.
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Has a basic understanding of patients’ rights and a willingness to collaborate with hospital management.
Additional skills like report writing, IT knowledge, or Welsh language proficiency are a bonus but not essential.
Next Steps
If you’re interested in becoming a PPC volunteer, we’d love to hear from you!
Contact
Alice.Dolan@PAVO.org.uk
or call
07833 401446
for an informal discussion.
Ready to apply? Send an expression of interest outlining your experience and skills. This information will support your application and help us ensure the role is a good fit for you.
Join us in making a real difference in the lives of patients on the Clywedog Ward. Together, we can amplify voices and create lasting change.
- This event has passed.
Read Aloud Project Training Sessions – Lots of Dates Available
8 February 2019
Read and Remember Volunteers
What is a Read and Remember Volunteer?
A Read and Remember volunteer enables an older or disabled person or a person living with mild to moderate dementia or depression, to enjoy a weekly or fortnightly shared reading experience, either one to one in theri own home, or as part of small friendly group.
What’s in it for you?
- The pleasure of seeing isolated people benefitting from stories
- The opportunity to develop your skills at reading aloud
- The opportunity to help and meet with others in your community
- Be part of a team offering this experience, and share from each other
What’s involved?
A Read and Remember volunteer will:
- Read aloud to adults in a one-to-one or group setting regularly, either in the person’s home or as part of a group meeting at the local library
- Encourage your partner or group to talk about the text, and explore memories and feelings evoked
- Choose suitable texts, and prepare for the session – the library staff will help you to find suitable books and materials
- Encourage your partner or group to read other books, or listen to audio books from the library
Will this role suit me?
The role will suit people who:
- Can read aloud fluently and with expression, in Welsh or English
- Enjoy meeting new people, and have the ability to engage and empathise with individuals and their families and carers, living with mild to moderate dementias and depression
- Are able to offer 1 hour a week to support an individual or group in your area (plus preparation time)
- Are patient and approachable, and sensitive to people’s emotional needs.
- Are reliable, confident and responsible, with an enthusiasm about books, libraries and literacy
- Have the ability to cope with the duties and responsibilities of the role and the associated environment, including an understanding of health and safety
Other information:
- Full training will be given, with ongoing support from the local library
- An enhanced DBS check will be undertaken by Powys County Council, before you begin volunteering
- Once training is completed, you will be given a volunteer ID card
- A commitment of 6 months is required, to allow the opportunity to build a relationship with your partner or group
Reading aloud training sessions organised, as follows:
Weds 20th Feb Brecon Library 1.30 – 4.30pm
Friday 22nd Feb Newtown Library, times to be confirmed
Weds 6th March Rhayader Library 10am – 1.00pm
Friday 8th March Newtown Library, times to be confirmed
Weds 13th March Knighton Library 1.30 – 4.30pm
Weds 20th March Ystradgynlais Library 1.30 – 4.30pm
Each session is for 10-12 people,
Bookings are being taken by Trish Thomas patricia.thomas@powys.gov.uk