Volunteer - Community Companion - Bournemouth

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Job Description

Marie Curie is expanding its Community Companion service to support people at end of life in/across Bournemouth.

Drawing upon their volunteer training, community knowledge and networks, Community Companions visit people identified as end of life in a place of their choosing e.g., their own home, care home, community venue or surgery etc. and empower them to decide what support if any, they would like.

Support may be a one-off activity or an ongoing engagement providing different aspects of support over a longer period of time.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

The support a Community Companion provides is unique to each person and their individual circumstances, but is likely to include:

• Visiting people identified as end of life in a place of their choosing and outlining the support that is available to them and to the people closest to them.
• Providing emotional support to people at end of life and the people closest to them.
• Providing practical information, support, and signposting to other local services to people at end of life and the people closest to them.
• Supporting and empowering people at end of life to create an advanced care plan (ACP) which considers, documents, and clearly communicates what is important to them.
• Providing carer support including pre and post bereavement support, ensuring the right local provision-based support is in place for people within caring roles.
• Providing support around fuel poverty and accessing available resources.
• Promoting the Community Companion service within the local community.
• Completing and returning a short report at the end of each session.
• Attending and participating in regular volunteer wellbeing sessions, team meetings, and refresher training.

THE SKILLS / EXPERIENCE YOU WILL NEED

• Friendly and approachable.
• Patient, empathetic and sensitive to the needs of others.
• An active listener and an ability to build a rapport with others.
• Self-aware and emotionally resilient.
• Adaptable and open to learning and developing.
• Able and willing to operate within Marie Curie's boundaries and to follow all processes, procedures and guidelines including using a lone worker device.
• Committed, reliable and trustworthy.
• An understanding of confidentiality.
• Inclusive and respectful.
• A mature perspective on life and death.
• Access to a PC, laptop, tablet or phone and basic IT skills e.g. the ability to type on word and email attachments.

WHAT YOU CAN GAIN FROM THIS OPPORTUNITY

• Becoming an important part of Marie Curie, the UK's leading end of life charity.
• Making a real difference to people at end of life and to the people closest to them.
• Connecting with new and interesting people with a common goal.
• Building and developing your skills in a supportive environment.
• Continued training, development, and support.
• Access to other opportunities within Marie Curie.
• Agreed reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

THE NEXT STEPS

• Complete a volunteering application form or submit an expression of interest.
• Attend an informal interview with a member of the Marie Curie team either face to face or online via Microsoft Teams.
• Supply the details of two people (not family members) who can provide you with a reference.
• Consent to a DBS (criminal record) check and submit the appropriate documentation online for the check to be completed.
• Attend a face-to-face volunteer induction.
• Complete core and role specific Marie Curie training.

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.

For more information or if you have any questions regarding this volunteer role, please contact recruitment@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.