Companion - Durham

About the role

The Marie Curie Companion Service is a professional service provided by trained volunteers who offer one-to-one companionship and support to people with a terminal illness and their families. The service would not be able to reach those most in need if it was not for the commitment and hard work of the volunteers delivering the service. Companion volunteers provide companionship and emotional support, practical support, short breaks for carers and help with signposting for information and support. These sessions can take place both in person and over the phone.

What you will be doing

Your role will include some of, but not be restricted to, the following tasks:

• Carry out weekly visits with the person(s) you’re supporting, as agreed with the Volunteer Co-ordinator. This could be in a variety of settings, e.g. family home, a care home or in the community.
• Provide one-to-one companionship and support. For example:
• Offering a listening ear and spending time engaging in every-day conversation, activities or hobbies with the person you are supporting.
• Driving clients to pre-arranged health or social care (e.g. to medical appointments) or taking short trips out.
• Helping with small, daily tasks, e.g. making tea or accessing the internet.
• Allowing carers to have a short break.
• You may be supporting your client’s family or carers before or during bereavement. This may involve offering emotional support, signposting to relevant local support services or finding out information as requested

(This is only an outline as support will vary according to individual needs. Companion volunteers do not provide nursing or personal care, or offer counselling or advice)

• Keep your manager informed of any changes to the situation, or any significant happenings in connection to the person you’re supporting and/or their family, either in person or by phone
• Submit regular visit reports to your manager and update relevant computer systems as required
• Be reliable and committed to regularly spending time with someone and offering support
• Attend individual sessions with your Volunteer Co-ordinator, training and group events as required
• Represent the Marie Curie Companion service positively to those using the service

To apply for this role, please visit: https://eofb.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_4001/requisitions/preview/5530/?location=Durham%2C+County+Durham%2C+United+Kingdom&locationId=300000002554122&locationLevel=city&mode=location&radius=25&radiusUnit=MI

Skills

• Commitment and reliability - able to keep appointments and volunteer for about 3 hours a week
• Patience, empathy and emotional stability
• An understanding of the importance of confidentiality
• Respect for an individual’s privacy, dignity and independence
• Willing to be flexible to the needs of the individual
• Ability to operate within the boundaries of the role
• A friendly and sensitive approach with strong skills around building rapport and empathy
• Excellent listening skills and an ability to build a rapport with others
• Respect for individuals, regardless of their disability, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or faith, or gender reassignment