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Companion Volunteer - Dumfries & Galloway

Marie Curie
VO100785

Why we need your help

The Community of Dumfries and Galloway - Marie Curie, health professionals, patients and families - together have identified a need to offer a service to support patients and their families at the end of life.

Volunteers spending time with patients alone or with their families and friends, providing emotional support, a listening ear, short breaks for friends and family, help with signposting for information and support, and to simply be there for people at this very difficult time makes a huge impact and will help us to ensure a better end of life for all.

What we need you to do

As a volunteer these are some of the tasks that you may be asked to carry out in your role, this list is not exhaustive, but all tasks will be withing the boundaries of the role of Community Companion

Providing one-to-one companionship and support. E.g., offering a listening ear, engaging in everyday conversation, doing activities or hobbies together.
Spending time with patients who have been identified as nearing the end of their life and providing support for them and their loved ones.
Allow family, friends or carers to have a short break while you spend time with their loved one.
Signpost families, friends and carers to other services, as appropriate
Support us with the evaluation of the service, including writing a brief report on each visit
Keep staff informed of any changes or significant happenings in connection with the patient, either in person or by telephone
Attend individual support sessions, group support and development sessions as required
Carry out planned visits as agreed with you as a volunteer. These could be in a variety of settings, for example, on a ward, in a family’s home, in a care home or taking a patient out for a short break in the community
Driving a patient to pre-arranged medical appointments or taking short trips out.
Helping with small, daily tasks, e.g. making tea or accessing the internet and signposting to relevant local support services or finding out information as requested.
Represent the Companions service positively to those using the service
N.B This is only an outline as support will vary according to individual needs. Companions do not provide nursing or personal care, or offer counselling or advice

What skills or experience do you need?

A friendly and sensitive nature – a good listener
Patience, empathy, self-awareness and emotional stability
Excellent listening skills and an ability to build a rapport with others
Commitment and reliability - able to keep appointments
An understanding of the importance of confidentiality
Willing to be flexible to the needs of the individual
Mature perspective on life and death
Willingness to learn, participate in training and operate within the boundaries of the role
Respect for individuals, regardless of their race, gender, culture, religion, disability, sexual orientation and marital status

What we can offer you

An excellent opportunity to build on your existing skills or gain new skills in a charity environment through induction, training and ongoing support.
Meet and engage with new people – staff, volunteer’s, patients and families
Paid out-of-pocket expenses in line with the Marie Curie Policy - including mileage etc
An opportunity to be part of a dynamic team at Marie Curie who make a real difference to people at the end of life.
What we ask of you

To provide two references from non-family members and other relevant documents related to the role – this role will require a disclosure check
To provide the details of one or more lone worker Buddies in line with our lone working procedure and to keep to all Marie Curie policies and guidelines
To complete an induction, training and participate in support opportunities related to your role
To ensure you make us aware of any issues or concerns you may have in your volunteering role as soon as you can.
To make us aware of any changes in your personal circumstances that may impact you and your ability to carry out your volunteer role.
Marie Curie is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of patients and their families and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Marie Curie will treat all volunteers fairly and with respect. We will not discriminate on the basis of disability, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, sex (i.e. gender), sexual orientation, religion or faith, or gender reassignment. We will not discriminate on the basis of age, unless the responsibilities of a role require us to do so in order to safeguard our volunteers and/or service users.

ABOUT US
Every day of your life matters – from the first to the last. When you volunteer for Marie Curie, you understand that better than ever. W