Volunteer - Companion Lead - Orkney

Marie Curie; Scotland; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare charity in Scotland is seeking a Lead Volunteer for its Companion service. The role involves offering companionship and support to individuals facing terminal illness, assessing their needs, and assisting volunteers. Strong communication and a compassionate approach are essential. This position is based in the community and may require some travel to support clients.

Qualifications

• Experience in providing emotional support and companionship.
• Ability to assess needs of terminally ill individuals and their families.
• Strong communication skills to liaise with clients and team members.

Responsibilities

• Assist and support volunteers in training and in their roles.
• Provide companionship and emotional support to clients.
• Conduct assessments to identify needs of terminally ill people.

Job description

Overview

Job Description

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.

Typical tasks

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 Claire Scott at [e-mail]