Macmillan Information and Support Centre - Patient Support Volunteer

Do you:

• Enjoy listening and talking to people?
• Have a friendly, compassionate, 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 patient support volunteers to help us run our Macmillan Information and Support Centre at Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey, on a Monday and Tuesday - 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.

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