Companion

As a Marie Curie Companion volunteer you'll visit people living with a terminal or life limiting illness in their own homes, offering companionship and support for up to three hours each week.

Someone to have a chat with over a cup of tea, help a client get to an appointment or run an errand, or just be there to listen when they need a friendly ear. Helper volunteers are there for exactly those things.

Your role will include some of, but is not 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, eg 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)

Helper 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 Helper service positively to those using the service

Skills

• Commitment and reliability - able to keep appointments and volunteer for approximately 3 hours a week
• Patience, empathy and emotional stability
• An understanding of the importance of confidentiality
• Willing to be flexible to the needs of the individual
• Ability to operate within the boundaries of the role
• A friendly and sensitive approach
• Excellent listening skills and an ability to build a rapport with others
• Respect for individuals, regardless of their race, gender, culture, religion, disability, sexual orientation and marital status