Peer Supporting at the Royal Cornwall Hospital
In order to become a hospital peer supporter in Truro, you will need to:
- Have volunteered as a community group peer supporter for at least 6 months
- Be willing to volunteer for a minimum of once every 2 weeks for a minimum of 6 months
- Register as a RCHT volunteer
- Complete the Hospital Peer Support training
- Attend supervision sessions 2-4 times a year
- Complete annual update training
What does a Hospital Peer Supporter do?
- A Hospital Peer Supporter listens, empathises with, supports and empowers mothers
- A Hospital Peer Supporter is a source of reliable, up to date information about breastfeeding and related issues; and has access to resources, such as books, leaflets and DVDs, to share with mothers
- Supports mothers in whatever choice they decide to make
- A Hospital Peer Supporter enables mums to have a positive breastfeeding experience, no matter how long or short
- A Hospital Peer Supporter should ‘do no harm’
- A Hospital Peer Supporter knows her boundaries, not giving advice, and referring on to an appropriate practitioner/Health Care Professional as necessary
- A Peer Supporter gives what she feels she can to her local hospital, no more. She seeks support for herself as needed.
What does a Peer Supporter not do?
It is important that the hospital staff and the mums on the hospital wards know that a Hospital Peer Supporter is not a breastfeeding expert.
A Hospital Peer Supporter is not a ‘problem solver’, but a source of caring support and an empathetic listener.
How to apply:
Please complete the online application form.
If you would like to find out more about the role and if it’s suitable for you, please get in touch.
We can invite you to attend a supervision to meet current volunteers and learn more about the role.
Here is the link to the application form: https://forms.gle/E7si9TU6m7Bog4bz5