Home Companion volunteer
Hosted by: Marie Curie
Opportunity Description: Companion volunteers provide companionship and emotional support, practical support, short breaks for carers and help with signposting for information and support.
Your role will include some of, but is not restricted to, the following tasks:
Carry out weekly visits with the person(s) you’re supporting, as agreed with the Volunteer Co-ordinator. This could be in a variety of settings, eg family home, a care home or in the community.
Provide one-to-one companionship and support. For example: offering a listening ear and spending time engaging in every-day conversation, activities or hobbies with the person you are supporting. Driving clients to pre-arranged health or social care (e.g. to medical appointments) or taking short trips out. Helping with small, daily tasks, e.g. making tea or accessing the internet. Allowing carers to have a short break.
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
(This is only an outline as support will vary according to individual needs. Companion volunteers do not provide nursing or personal care, or offer counselling or advice)
Keep your manager informed of any changes to the situation, or any significant happenings in connection to the person you’re supporting and/or their family, either in person or by phone
Submit regular visit reports to your manager and update relevant computer systems as required
Be reliable and committed to regularly spending time with someone and offering support
Attend individual sessions with your Volunteer Coordinator, training and group events as required
Represent the Marie Curie companion service positively to those using the service
Your role will include some of, but is not restricted to, the following tasks:
Carry out weekly visits with the person(s) you’re supporting, as agreed with the Volunteer Co-ordinator. This could be in a variety of settings, eg family home, a care home or in the community.
Provide one-to-one companionship and support. For example: offering a listening ear and spending time engaging in every-day conversation, activities or hobbies with the person you are supporting. Driving clients to pre-arranged health or social care (e.g. to medical appointments) or taking short trips out. Helping with small, daily tasks, e.g. making tea or accessing the internet. Allowing carers to have a short break.
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
(This is only an outline as support will vary according to individual needs. Companion volunteers do not provide nursing or personal care, or offer counselling or advice)
Keep your manager informed of any changes to the situation, or any significant happenings in connection to the person you’re supporting and/or their family, either in person or by phone
Submit regular visit reports to your manager and update relevant computer systems as required
Be reliable and committed to regularly spending time with someone and offering support
Attend individual sessions with your Volunteer Coordinator, training and group events as required
Represent the Marie Curie companion service positively to those using the service
Type of Activity: Befriending & Buddying, Community Work
Areas of Interest: Crisis Support, Disability, Elderly, Families, Health and Hospital and Hospices, Mental Health
Skills: Interpersonal
Who we are looking for: Volunteers must be over the age of 18
A minimum of 3 hours per week is required
All volunteers must provide references
A minimum of 3 hours per week is required
All volunteers must provide references
Requirements: Will require a Criminal Record Check (DBS)
Suitable for: Employee Volunteers, Indoors, Family, Long Term Commitment, People Seeking Work, Older People
Practical considerations:
Recruitment method: Application Form, Informal Discussion, Interviews, Police Checks, References
Disabled Access details: Volunteers will be working in some clients home which may not have disabled access.
Expenses details: Volunteers travel expenses are reimbursed
Any Age/Gender restrictions: n/a
Support for volunteers with additional needs: Yes
Induction Arrangments: Yes
Support Available: Volunteer coordinators provide one to one support, information and advice and annual reviews.
Peer support groups are available.
All volunteers are provided with a MySos device to ensure safety when lone working.
Peer support groups are available.
All volunteers are provided with a MySos device to ensure safety when lone working.
Training: Full training is provided