At Compton Care, we believe life with a complex and incurable condition doesn’t have to be limiting and we believe that people are more than their diagnosis.
Sector : Charities & Voluntary Sector
Wolverhampton. We cover Wolverhampton, Shropshire, Staffordshire and The Black Country
Vicki Wootton
Community Fundraiser
At Compton Care, we believe life with a complex and incurable condition doesn’t have to be limiting and we believe that people are more than their diagnosis. Across our range of services and dedicated teams, we commit to delivering extraordinary clinical care and offer the emotional, practical and spiritual support people need to live the best life possible.
We work with patients to inspire, support and encourage them to take charge of their lives - because being alive isn't the same as feeling alive.
Approx 200 but we have over 900 volunteers that do a huge range of jobs.
Employees must be highly motivated, caring and determined to offer our patients the very best no matter what area they might work in.
Clinical Nurse Specialists, Doctors, Cooks and Kitchen Assistants, Public Relations Events and Fundraising officers, Finance ,Estates Management, Gardeners
For any of our job or volunteering opportunities please visit https://www.comptoncare.org.uk/support-us/join-us/vacancy-list/
Debs Smith
Senior Staff Nurse
Job role: Healthcare
I work in a team that offers specialist palliative (end of life) care to patients in the community. I support other team members including our Clinical Nurse Specialist and I act as an advocate (a person who speaks on behalf of the patient) for our patients and their families. Other duties include offering benefit support, speaking with outside agencies on the patients behalf such as doctors and district nurses.
No, my first job was as an assistant in a pharmacy.
I had to attend an interview and after I got the job. I had to attend various internal training courses.
I love that no two days are the same and you can meet a wide range of people and their families. I love the people I work with and we have great social activities that go on outside of work! It is a happy environment to work in and you are given the chance to develop your career with further training. I feel very fortunate to be part of the Compton family.
I receive lots of in-house training to keep on top of changes and developments. You must have a desire to want to learn or better your existing knowledge to progress in this line of work.
I studied for three years at university to qualify as a registered nurse and gained many years experience in Palliative Care. As a nurse you need to be very understanding of your patients so you must have good communication skills such as listening. Flexibility and adaptability as you never know what might happen during your shift at work!
Nick Davies
Counsellor
Job role: Healthcare
I provide counselling and emotional support for bereaved young people between the ages of 5 and 17 years old who have lost a relative in the care of Compton Hospice.
No this was not my first job.
I had to qualify as a counsellor and a psychotherapy practitioner at Diploma level 5 and at degree level. In addition there is a requirement to be accredited (approved) by a governing body such as BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
I am happy to see a client with emotional difficulty begin to cope and move forward with their lives after the death of a loved one. I love that Compton Hospice has people at the heart of its process - it always puts people first.
I have had Palliative Care, Play Therapy and Creative Intervention Skills training so far but you also learn while you are doing the job too.
You need to be able to listen well and you need an interest in people. You will also need good administrative and computer skills, be honest, reliable and hardworking.
Vicki Wootton
Events Fundraiser and School Liaison
Job role: Charity and Voluntary
I put together fundraising events for Compton Hospice. I also visit schools and colleges and encourage them to fundraise for us. Recently I developed the Compton Champions Award which students can put towards their CVs and UCAS applications.
No. I worked for the local press after I graduated as a freelance writer. I then managed a pub for a number of years. I have always had an interest in fundraising however and have held events for a number of charities close to my heart over the years.
I had to prove that I had experience in the world of fundraising and that I could use my passion for a cause in other people.
I love meeting new people and seeing an event come together. I also love meeting the patients that our fundraising helps. I love that Compton Hospice aims to help patients live the end of their lives and not simply wait to die. It sounds like a cliché but every breath that we take is precious and although you might be diagnosed with a terminal illness, that is no reason to stop living your life to the absolute fullest.
I am always taking part in on-going training from safe-guarding to using social media to boost fundraising opportunities.
Although I have a degree in English, you do not necessarily need a certain qualification to be a fundraiser. You need to be highly motivated, passionate about what you do and a good people person. Experience always helps too. We have developed our Compton Champions Award specifically for young people to build experience in the field so it’s worth checking that out if you want a future in events management.
A Compton Champion is someone aged 13-25 that helps to fundraise for Compton Care. To receive your certificate recognising you as a Compton Champion you must: • First register with us either via our website or by contacting our Fundraising Team • Hold one fundraising event in aid of Compton • Document (in whichever way you choose – the more creative the better) how you organised your event along the way. Our dedicated Fundraising Team can offer you support and guidance along the way. Events can be as big or as small as you wish and can take place inside or outside of school. (Please remember to discuss and agree your ideas with the relevant teachers if you would like to hold an event in school). Events can be whatever you would like them to be (as long as you adhere to fundraising guidelines and run them by Compton’s team first.) You do not have to run an event alone. You may wish to create a ‘fundraising team,’ and as long as everyone in the team takes part by taking on a specific role, then all participants will receive a team certificate. • You will learn and develop employability skills such as time management, selforganisation, presentation and team work. These skills can enhance your CV and make you stand out to future employers or enhance your UCAS application should you decide to go into further education. • Becoming a Compton Champion can help boost your confidence, build your selfesteem and could lead to new friendships. • It’s a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. You might find a new hobby along the way, or perhaps discover more about a career that you hadn’t considered before. • You will feel a sense of accomplishment and be able to take pride in what you’ve done. • You will be helping a charity in your community and you might even inspire others to do the same!
Our Young Ambassadors Award can help you to develop skills for your future that can be applied to your CV or UCAS applications. The Young Ambassador Award is open to young people aged 15-25 and is broken down into four sections. All four sections must be completed in order for you to gain your award. These sections can be carried out over a two year period. LEADERSHIP VOLUNTEERING BUILDING AWARENESS FUNDRAISING By becoming a Young Ambassador you will be helping us to continue to provide extraordinary care and support to patients and their family members in the local community. We will also help you to develop skills that will help you in the future. • You will develop transferable skills for your future. These skills might include leadership, communication, negotiation, time keeping, team working and budgeting. By becoming a Young Ambassador you may also discover you have a particular skill and passion for something you didn’t know you had before. • As a Young Ambassador you will start to build confidence and self-esteem. Fundraising is a great way to bring you out of your comfort zone. • You will see the positive impact that you have on your local community. Here at Compton Care we aim to show you how your hard work helps families in our catchment areas. We can give you tours of our three sites and give you an overview of our services, as well as introduce you to our staff and patients so that you can truly see the difference that you can make. • You will be part of a family of extraordinary people. Become part of #TeamCompton you will be joining a community of people working hard to support us and each other
