Welcome to the Dining Companions Volunteer Training
On this site we'll cover:
- Types of patients and how to get to know them,
- Good nutrition and hydration – how you can help,
- Swallowing difficulties and changes to the consistency of food and drink,
- Assisting the patient and tips for how you can support them,
- Communication difficulties and how you can help.
May's Story
When Pam, the dining companion, came to help me with my meal I was feeling very down. The chats I had with her really picked me up, I felt so good and back on a high. I was hardly eating anything last week and having Pam and the other volunteers come to help me has helped me feel better. Now I am laughing and joking with the staff, eating three meals a day and I feel ready to go home. My confidence is restored thanks to the dining companions and staff on T5.
May – patient on T5 Oldham
Once you are clear to start, the volunteer team will contact you to arrange your ward local induction.
At your local induction our dining companion coordinator will deliver some ward based training including:
- Bed boards – identifying warnings
- Handwashing
- PPE
- Introductions to key staff
Your dining companion coordinator will be with you for your first three shifts, ensuring you are supported.
Competency assessment is done on the ward and observed by the dining companion coordinators.
We will cover the information from this site so you can practice what you've learned with support and answers to any questions you may still have.