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OnFife Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Volunteer

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Why we want you?

Macmillan Cancer Support and OnFife provide support services for people with cancer, their families, friends and carers. We are currently looking for volunteers.
People affected by cancer often feel isolated, alone and unable to access the right information and support at the right time, that’s why we are here to ensure people affected by cancer can access high quality information and support in libraries and venues across Fife.

Can you give 2 hours per week? Could you provide an empathetic ear and signpost people to relevant services in our welcoming, relaxing library spaces? You do not need to have a knowledge of cancer or a health/care background.

Volunteer-led drop-in sessions are at the heart of our support that we provide in libraries, currently in Leven library, Jennie Lee library, Lochgelly and soon to be opening Duloch library with additional pop-up sessions in, Cupar Library, Ladybank Library, Newport Library, Rothes Halls, St Andrews Library and St Monans Library. We also offer monthly support in Queen Margaret and Victoria Hospitals.

What you will be doing

We are looking for volunteers with a range of different skills, abilities and experience to support us in delivering this service:

  • Meeting and greeting people, providing a warm and friendly welcome to the Macmillan area in the library
  • The ability to answer questions and provide information to people affected by cancer. These can be people living with or beyond cancer, carers and family.
  • Give people using the service the opportunity to talk about their feelings, offering them support through empathy and a listening ear. However, this is not a counselling service, volunteers are not expected to have professional counselling skills.
  • Promote the service in the local area and continue to build strong community links to raise awareness of the drop-in sessions
  • Making teas and coffees
  • Provide Macmillan literature relevant to the users’ needs
  • Signposting users to other services both local and national, agencies and sources of good information and support, specific to their identified needs
  • Organise booklets and keep information areas well stocked and up to date.
  • Be aware of role boundaries and request the support of Volunteer Coordinator or manager when required.
  • Always follow the policies, systems and procedures of Macmillan.
  • Collecting and recording anonymised information about people who use the service
  • Referring complex issues to your Macmillan Volunteer Coordinator
  • Attend regular volunteer meetings to keep informed and interact with other volunteers in the team
  • Be able to travel as we are in more than one library location

The skills you need

  • An active listener who is empathic to the needs of the people we are supporting and respond sensitively (training will be provided)
  • Calm when supporting people who may become emotional
  • Initiative and ability to refer complex issues to the right person when needed
  • A good understanding of confidentiality
  • Basic IT skills or the aptitude to learn basic IT skills
  • Interest in cancer care and the services that Macmillan provides
  • Reliable commitment to volunteering
  • Non-judgemental
  • Able to work as part of team
  • Understanding of strict confidentiality (training provided)
  • Willingness to undertake on-going training
  • Please note that you need to be 18 years or older to volunteer in this role

What’s in it for you

  • Opportunity to support patients, families and carers and “to give back”
  • Meet new people as part of a friendly team that makes a difference
  • Use and develop your communication and customer service skills
  • Receive full induction, relevant training, and the support you need to carry out your role. This will be blended learning with on-line and inperson
  • Enjoy a rewarding experience making a difference to people with cancer in the local community
  • The opportunity to develop your own skills and experience
  • The chance to be part of a supportive team, from your Volunteer Coordinator, Manager and the wider Macmillan team
  • Travel expenses reimbursed
  • Excellent experience to enhance your C.V. – references can be provided after six months of active volunteering

The Macmillan training programme is an excellent opportunity to expand your skills, it covers the following:

  • Macmillan Induction Programme – including being a Macmillan volunteer and what it means, an overview of cancer and the cancer journey, listening and communication skills, coping mechanisms, code of conduct, confidentiality
  • Other training relevant to the volunteer role based on learning and development needs
  • Training and support from experienced volunteers
  • There is also an optional learning programme scheduled throughout the year with free courses available to you, online
  • Management support provide by your Volunteer Coordinator or Project Officer

Next steps

For more information, to request paper copy of application form or just an informal chat please contact: Heather Korabiowska, Macmillan Volunteer Coordinator for Fife on 07754 800072 or email macmillan@onfife.com

Please send completed application forms to Macmillan@onfife.com or to Iona House, John Smith Business Park, Grantsmuir Road, Kirkcaldy KY2 6NA for the attention of Heather Korabiowska, Macmillan Volunteer Coordinator for Fife.

Additional Information

Volunteer expenses are available within the Fife area. The mileage rate is £0.45/mile for cars, £0.25/mile for motorbike and public transport rates. Expenses are reimbursed monthly by BACS payment.

All volunteers are required to complete a free Disclosure Scotland Check to safeguard all volunteers and service users. The Macmillan Volunteer Coordinator will help you fill out the paperwork. Two forms of ID are required, one photographic. Please note: Having a criminal record will not automatically prevent you from volunteering. Each case will be assessed on an individual basis.

OnFife takes your privacy very seriously and complies with data protection legislation at all times when processing your personal information. We are the data controller of any personal data that you provide to us, for more information about how we store and process your data our full Privacy Policy can be viewed here: Privacy Policy - OnFife. We reserve the right to gather information from 3rd parties e.g., information from references you have provided. We will not contact other parties without your permission. Any information we gather for equal opportunities monitoring purposes is always kept separate from personal details and remains confidential.