Companion Lead Volunteer - Glasgow

Marie Curie
VO100813

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 need 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 1:1 support and facilitating peer support groups
Organise social events and engagement activities for volunteers
Provide cover for Companion volunteers, offering companionship and emotional support, practical support and short breaks for carers
With support from their Volunteer Coordinator a Lead 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 part of the Companion service.
Provide cover as a lone worker Buddy to support Companion 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 via telephone
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 Volunteer Coordinator and other team members
Reporting concerns and celebrating compliments and successes
Assisting with evaluations and development of the Companion service
Help with other related tasks when necessary
For more information or if you have any questions regarding this volunteer role, please contact the Volunteering Operations Team at volunteering@mariecurie.org.uk
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. We’re a passionate, committed and diverse team of more than 4,400 staff and 6,500 volunteers, here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support, to help them get the most from the time they have left.

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work. We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

Marie Curie is committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early.

Experience required

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