Volunteering - Keep this in sight…the future is bright

Original Editor - Mark Mitchell, David Murphy, Palmer Patterson, Brianna Reed, Mike Walsh as part of the QMU Current and Emerging Roles in Physiotherapy Practice Project

Top Contributors - Palmer Patterson, Mark Mitchell, David Murphy, Brianna Reed, Michael Walsh, Kim Jackson, Admin, 127.0.0.1, Tony Lowe, WikiSysop and Rucha Gadgil  

Introduction

This page is primarily intended to be a resource providing information on volunteering opportunities available both within the UK and abroad.  The opportunities highlighted consist of both physiotherapy specific settings, as well as opportunities in areas where transferable skills can be gained or utilised that are out with the typical physiotherapy practice areas.  The information provided on this page is intended to be utilised by students, both current and prospective, as well as qualified practitioners, looking to enhance knowledge, clinical skills and life experience.

Learning Outcomes

1. Define and explain the benefits of the Third Sector.
   
2. Discuss personal and professional motives for perusing volunteering opportunities.
3. Propose reflective strategies to enchance your volunteering experience.
4. Apply acquired knowledge to formulate a volunteering strategy.
5. Idenifty precautions and risks associated with volunteering in various settings.

Scotland's Third Sector 

Organisations can be divided into private, public, for profit and non-profit. Those organisations which are established as non-profit, and which are not part of the public sector, are referred to as being part of the Third Sector (Scottish Government 2012).

The Third Sector, sometimes referred to by the Government as the “civil society”, includes voluntary and community organisations, charities, mutuals and social enterprises (Dickinson et al. 2012).

Facts: (Scottish Government 2012)

• 45,000 voluntary organisations in Scotland
• Employs 137,000 people
• In 2010 the sector generated £4.4 billion for the Scottish economy
• In 2009 the sector were custodians of £9.2 billion worth of assets
• Public sector contracts and grants make up around 42% of the sector’s income, although three-in-five organisations receive no income from the public sector

Some of the current contributions to health care in Scotland involve:

1. Addressing health inequalities – regeneration of work and community development
2. Health behavioural interventions for drug abuse, mental health, healthy eating campaigns, physical activity initiatives and family support organisations
3. Community based care and support – the Third Sector is the largest sector providing this community based care
4. Funding for research - for example breast cancer and Multiple Sclerosis
   

Historically, the Third Sector played a large role in health care up until the state took over and formed the NHS in 1948. With advances in healthcare and longer life expectancies, the NHS budget is increasingly strained. Therefore, the government is looking for options of relieving this strain and is turning towards the Third Sector. It has been shown voluntary groups are capable of competing with private and public sectors which will essentially free up NHS staff and deliver better care in the public communities (Bubb 2011).

 Introduction to Volunteering 

“Our vision is of a society in which social action and reciprocity are the norm and where volunteering is encouraged, promoted and supported because it has the power to enhance quality, reduce inequality or improve outcomes in health, public health and social care” The Department of Health

What is it that we mean by volunteering?

Volunteering can be defined as an unpaid activity conducted for the benefit of others, out-with family members (ref).

How do volunteers help?

• Improve patient experience within hospitals and other medical centres
• Building a closer relationship between services and communities
• Tackling health inequalities and promoting health in hard to reach groups
• Supporting integrated care for people with multiple needs
  

How many people volunteer?

The National Citizenship Survey provided an overall level of formal volunteering in England (Department of Communities and Local Government 2011). Approximately 3 million regular volunteers support the health sector as a whole with around 1.9 million working with the elderly. The 3 million volunteers across health and social care, is double that of NHS paid workforce in England.

Areas of volunteering in health and social care:

• Community Settings – social support, teaching and training, well-being activities in the community, coaching patients through lifestyle changes, fundraising.
• Acute Hospital Care – assisting with meal times, collecting patient feedback, clerical support
• Mental Health Care – Peer support, friendly schemes, sports groups
• Palliative Care – Bereavement counselling, emotional support for families, training others wishing to volunteer
• Home Care – Home visits to reduce feelings of isolation
• Care Homes – Activities to enhance well-being and provide entertainment

How can we incorporate Physiotherapy with volunteering?

As a physiotherapist, you are in high demand, especially in countries with a poor economic climate and health system. There are many charities and organisations that allow both qualified and student physiotherapists to partake in such life changing experiences.

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References

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