Macmillan Information and Support Centre – Patient Support Volunteer

Do you:

• Enjoy listening and talking to people?
• Have a friendly, empathetic nature and are non-judgemental?
• Have a passion to help people?
• Have competent computer skills?
• Like the idea of supporting patients and their families to have a positive experience?
• Want to offer your experience whilst learning new skills?
• Wish to be part of a team?

We need volunteers to help us run our Macmillan Information and Support Centre’s at Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey and Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, Berks. We are looking for PATIENT SUPPORT volunteers at Frimley Park on a Monday and Tuesday, and at Wexham Park on a Thursday and Friday. Half or full day sessions at least once per week.

We provide appropriate information, advice and support to anyone affected by cancer - patients, carers, relatives and friends, general public, or health care professionals.

A typical session for a volunteer may involve:

• Meeting and greeting visitors, taking/making calls and managing email support enquiries
• Explaining our service and how we can help
• Listening to people’s concerns and assessing their information and support needs
• Providing basic support information and signposting users to the appropriate resources/services
• Visiting in-patients on the wards if appropriate, to listen and provide information
• Making appropriate referrals for users to the agreed services
• Promoting our in-person workshops to patients around the Trust sites
• Supporting with cancer awareness information weeks and coffee morning fundraising
• Recording visitor and caller information on our database
• Undertaking research as needed on local and national support services
• Supporting with feedback surveys, data collection and other general admin tasks
• Volunteer interests in the various support areas above will be considered and respected

This role will suit someone who:

• Is a good “people person”, enjoys listening to others and supporting those in need
• Has great empathy and is non-judgemental
• Is organised with attention to detail
• Has competent computer skills
• Wants to gain new knowledge and skills
• Is happy to work independently but also be part of a team
• Is reliable, and can give at least three hours a week, ideally for a minimum of 12 months

After an initial informal interview, you would be asked to attend one of our monthly Trust Volunteer Information sessions, and a DBS check will be requested. Upon joining you will receive an induction programme, access to appropriate training and be part of a team helping support anyone affected by cancer