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Frontline and Volunteer
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This section of the portal is a reflective learning resource for frontline staff or volunteers whose work may bring them into contact with grief, caring responsibilities, emotional labour, distress, death, dying or bereavement.
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Below are four downloadable chapters and explanatory videos, each containing information, individual reflections and team conversations. You can try each one separately, pick and choose, or download all four chapters together at the top of this page.
Download all chapters
Name
Frontline and volunteer workbook.pdf
Document
Frontline and volunteer workbook.pdf (1.32 MB document)
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Compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction
Our roles bring us close to people’s lives, and their losses. That can be rewarding, but it can also be emotionally demanding. Overtime if we don’t have the right support, it can increase or risk of compassion fatigue.
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In chapter one, 'Compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction' you will find information and reflection activities on the following topics:
- Definition
- Spotting the signs
- How does it occur
- Risk factors
- Compassion satisfaction
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To download the worksheets from this chapter please see below:
Worksheet one: Team conversation (Supporting compassion satisfaction: team and organisation strategies)
Worksheet two: Individual reflection (Compassion satisfaction self-reflection prompts)
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Burnout
Burnout is something that anyone in any organisation can face, yet we know that working in hospice roles we are facing stressors which put us at risk of burnout. It can be hard to take a moment and reflect on how us and our teams are really doing.
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In chapter two, 'Burnout' you will find information and reflection activities on the following topics:
- Definition
- Spotting the signs
- What causes burnout?
- Self-compassion
- Prevention and support
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To download the worksheets from this chapter please see below:
Worksheet one: Team conversation (Mitigating the risks of burnout: team and organisation strategies)
Worksheet two: Individual reflection (Discussing burnout with our manager: discussion guide)
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Professional grief
In hospice care we play foundational roles in caring for dying people and those who are bereaved. We are exposed to the grief of others regularly but don’t often talk about how we may experience grief from our work.
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In chapter three, 'Professional grief' you will find information and reflection activities on the following topics:
- Definition
- Impact of grief
- Grief models
- Professional grief
- Supporting our teams
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To download the worksheets from this chapter please see below:
Worksheet one: Team conversation (Professional grief and supporting our teams)
Worksheet two: Individual reflection (Professional grief self-care plan)
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Stress and resiliance
Stress is something we all experience at different times in our lives. However, in busy lives, we can find it hard to pay attention and notice when stress is becoming too much, impacting our wellbeing.
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In chapter four, 'Stress and resilience' you will find information and reflection activities on the following topics:
- Definition
- Spotting the signs
- Self-awareness
- Regulate
- Restore
- Supporting our teams
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To download the worksheets from this chapter please see below:
Worksheet one: Team conversation (HALT framework)
Worksheet two: Individual reflection (applying the five ways to wellbeing)
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Important Information
It is important to note that these resources should be used alongside, not instead of, appropriate management support, supervision, occupational health, EAP, HR guidance and organisational wellbeing provision. It is not a substitute for clinical, psychological, occupational health, HR or emergency support.
If you need further support, please contact your organisation.
References for the videos
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Compassion Fatigue and Compassion Satisfaction
- Steele W. Reducing compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout: a trauma-sensitive workbook. New York: Routledge; 2020
- Halamová J, Kanovský M, Krizova K, Šoková B, Baránková M, Figley C. The development of the Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue scale. Front Public Health. 2024 Dec 5;12:1406467. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1406467
- Stamm BH. The concise ProQOL manual. 2nd ed. Pocatello; 2010. Available from: https://proqol. org/uploads/ProQOLManual.pdf
Burnout
- World Health Organization. Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International classification of diseases [Internet]. World Health Organization. World Health Organization; 2019. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
Professional grief
- Phillips CS, Trainum K, Thomas Hebdon MC. Hidden in plain sight: a scoping review of professional grief in healthcare and charting a path for change. Health Serv Insights. 2025 Jun 16;18:11786329251344772. doi: 10.1177/11786329251344772
Stress and resilience
- World Health Organization. Stress. [online] 21 Feb 2023. World Health Organization. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/stress
- Butler G, Grey N, Hope RA. Managing your mind: the mental fitness guide. New York: Oxford University Press; 2018
- NHS inform. A message from Khyber, a GP, about panic attacks [Internet]. NHS inform. 2025. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/mind-to-mind/dealing-with-panic/deep-breathi…
