Blue Stream Academy is pleased to announce the release of our first group of hospice volunteer courses.

These short courses have been developed specifically for hospice volunteers in response to requests from our users and are designed to provide volunteers with the core information needed to perform their roles safely and effectively, without the depth required for other staff members.

Each course is brief, taking only 10-15 minutes to complete, and omits formal knowledge tests, making them accessible and easy to engage with. By focusing on the most crucial elements, these courses offer a quick, straightforward way for volunteers to stay informed and confident in their roles, helping ensure a safe and supportive environment for all.

Click here to request further information on Blue Stream Academy’s new hospice online training courses for volunteers.

The new short volunteer courses on the Hospice eLearning Platform cover:

Health and Safety for Volunteers

This eLearning course supports volunteers to understand key definitions relating to health and safety, some information about health and safety law, and health and safety responsibilities while volunteering, including risk assessments. This eLearning course also provides health and safety considerations relating to fire safety, security, infection control, handling waste and money, and slips, trips and falls.

Infection Control for Volunteers

This eLearning course provides key information on infection control, focusing on the essential role hospice volunteers play in preventing infections. It explains how infections spread, the importance of good hand hygiene, and how to properly use personal protective equipment (PPE). Understanding and practicing these precautions, including what to do in case of a sharps injury, helps create a safer environment. Infection prevention is always better than treatment, and staying updated with vaccinations, maintaining personal hygiene, and recognising when to stay home are crucial steps in protecting yourself and those around you.

Moving and Assisting for Volunteers

This eLearning course offers essential training for hospice volunteers on safe moving and assisting practices, emphasising the importance of creating a safe environment. It provides guidance on how to identify risk factors that may lead to injury, the correct posture and techniques for moving and assisting, and the importance of back care to prevent strain. Effective communication and teamwork are also highlighted to ensure smooth coordination when assisting others. Recognise when certain tasks should be avoided without the correct training, and know that specific training will be provided by your line manager if your role requires advanced moving and assisting skills.

Ladder Safety for Volunteers

This eLearning course supports volunteers to understand when it is safe and acceptable to use a ladder or stepladder, some of the different types of ladders and stepladders that could be used, the risks of using a ladder or stepladder, and other access equipment which could be used in the organisation.

Communication for Volunteers

This eLearning course is about how to communicate effectively with others. It outlines easily avoidable communication errors, equipment and methods to improve communication, explores how we communicate non-verbally, and provides tips on verbal and written communication and active listening.

Dementia for Volunteers

This eLearning course provides information relating to the prevalence of dementia in the UK, the symptoms that are associated with dementia, and how to help someone who is showing these symptoms or behaviours.

Those with dementia may find planning and organising difficult. Maintaining their independence may also become a problem. A person with dementia will usually need help from friends or relatives, including help with making decisions. You can also help by reassuring the person, listening to them, understanding them, speaking clearly, and respecting their personal space.

Interacting with those who have dementia requires patient, understanding, and knowledge of certain strategies that can help make the situation comfortable for those involved.

Safeguarding Adults for Volunteers

This eLearning course provides essential information on safeguarding adults for hospice volunteers, covering who may have safeguarding needs and why safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. You’ll learn about your role in protecting adults’ rights to safety, the core principles of safeguarding, and the importance of making safeguarding personal. The course also explains what constitutes abuse, how to promote welfare and prevent abuse or neglect, and how to report any safeguarding concerns to protect vulnerable adults effectively.

Safeguarding Children for Volunteers

This eLearning course provides essential information on safeguarding children, emphasising that nothing is more important than children’s welfare. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable, and loving environment. While it may be distressing to consider the reality of child abuse, it is a crucial responsibility for everyone who works in any capacity with families to remain vigilant and informed.

Even if your volunteer role at the hospice does not involve direct work with children, safeguarding still matters. You may encounter adults who share critical information about children or disclose their own childhood experiences. This course will guide you in understanding children’s rights, recognising vulnerable groups and risk factors, identifying different types of abuse, and knowing how to report any safeguarding concerns to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every child.

Further Hospice Training Courses

Blue Stream Academy’s Hospice eLearning and Management Platform has been developed specifically for professionals working in palliative and end of life care. We pride ourselves on high quality training and management software, developed from our head office in Derbyshire, England.

Click here for a full training course list.

Health and Social Care eLearning Solutions

Blue Stream Academy offers a range of eLearning and Management solutions for healthcare professionals working across a range of settings, including but not limited to primary care and general practice, care homes and domiciliary care agencies, palliative medicine and care, private and specialist care providers, and dental care.

Please contact the team using our Contact Us page for more information on how Blue Stream Academy can support your organisation.

Hospice Volunteer Courses | Out Now