Volunteer - Companion - Consort House, Mannamead

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Job Description

ABOUT THE ROLE

Marie Curie are the leading specialists in End of Life, we want to ensure that those who are nearing the end of their life or those who are at the end of their life, have their needs met from a timely, supportive and respectful perspective.

In Plymouth, Devon, we have an exciting new pilot projects that we are seeking enthusiastic and flexible volunteers to be part of. We are hoping to create a small team of volunteers to help us understand individuals needs and offer personalised end-of-life.

The role will be based within a large Nursing Home, Consort House in Mannamead. The service is designed to better understand the challenges around death, dying and bereavement within the home and support the staff and residents to become more confident in talking about it, and planning ahead.

This volunteer role will involve regularly attending the care home, pro-actively engaging with residents, hosting Life-Café's, having 'what's important to you conversations' and being with those who are actively dying, where required. This pilot is a test and learn model, which will initially run for 3 months as we understand together what support is most beneficial.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING.

Your role will include some of, but is not restricted to, the following tasks:

• Support patients in line with agreed boundaries and procedures
• Spend time listening and talking with patients, family, friends and carers.
• Signpost families and friends to other services, as appropriate
• Write and submit, to the Service Manager, a brief report on each visit
• Keep the Service Manager informed of any changes or significant happenings in

connection with the client, either in person or by telephone

• Be an active part of the team of Marie Curie Companions and the wider

team of CHM volunteers

• Attend regular group support and development sessions for Marie Curie

Companions

• Attend individual sessions with the Service Manager, as required.

THE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE YOU WILL NEED.

• Friendly and sensitive - a good listener
• Self-awareness and emotionally strong
• Respect for confidentiality
• Willingness to learn and operate within set boundaries
• Reliability - keep commitments and appointments
• Respect for individuals regardless of their race, gender, culture, religion, disability, sexual orientation and marital status
• Mature perspective on life and death
• Good humoured

WHAT YOU CAN GAIN FROM THIS OPPORTUNITY.

• An excellent opportunity to build on your skills in a charity environment
• An induction, training, support and supervision in your role
• Agreed reasonable out-of-pocket expenses

WHAT WE ASK OF YOU.

• To provide two references from non-family members and other relevant documents related to the role
• To keep to all the charity's policies and guidelines
• To complete an induction and any training related to the role
• Complete mandatory training and role related renewals, as requested

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 the Volunteer Operations Centre on 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.