Marie Curie Companion 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. ‍

To enable us to reach more people who would benefit from our support we are seeking help to;

•Raise awareness and knowledge of the Companion service

•Ensure that people who are referred to the Companion service are appropriately assessed

•Increase our number of trained Companion volunteers and ensure they are well supported in their role.

•Demonstrate Marie Curie values; always compassionate, making things happen, leading in our field, people at our heart

•Support volunteers in training, offering 1:1support and facilitating peer support groups

•Organise social events and engagement activitiesfor volunteers ‍

•Provide cover for Companion volunteers, offeringcompanionship and emotional support, practical support and short breaks forcarers‍

•With support from their Volunteer Coordinator aLead Volunteer will play an important part in supporting the Companion service to reach more people within their own local community.

Your role will mainly be based in your local community and may include some of, but is not restricted to, the following typical tasks:

•Assess terminally ill people and/or their carers either in their own home, nursing or residential care to identify their needs and determine if the Marie Curie Companion service would be appropriate for them.

•Provide cover for Companion volunteers, offering companionship and emotional support, practical support and short breaks for carers. 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

•Driving clients to pre-arranged health or social care (eg to chemotherapy appointments or day therapy at the hospice)

•Follow all mandatory procedures that form partof the Companion service. ‍

•Provide cover as a lone worker Buddy to supportCompanion volunteers, as needed‍

•Keeping up to date with Companion service guidance and best practice

•Liaising with existing and potential referrers to the Companion service

•Liaising with clients and their families viatelephone‍

•Promoting the Companion volunteer role including(with training/approval) media activity ‍

•Helping with the recruitment of new volunteers, including interviews and selection

•Keeping accurate records‍

•Liaising regularly with the VolunteerCoordinator and other team members‍

•Reporting any concerns and celebrating compliments and successes

‍•Assisting with evaluations and development of the Companion service

•Help with other related tasks when necessary ‍

 Excellent support and training is provided to all volunteers and this is an opportunity to make a real difference for people Marie Curie support.

 For more information or if you have any questions regarding this volunteer role, please contact Claire Scott, Volunteer Services Coordinator, Scotland North and West at claire.scott@mariecurie.org.uk More information about Marie Curie and volunteering with us is also available at: www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer

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