Description ABOUT THE ROLE Marie Curie and Northern Health and Social Care Trust have joined together to offer a service to support people at the end of life. Spending time with patients and/or their relatives, we’re looking for volunteers to provide emotional support, a listening ear, and to simply be there for patients with a palliative diagnosis and their loved ones. WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING. Your role will include some of, but is not restricted to, the following tasks: Support patients in line with agreed boundaries and procedures Spend time listening and talking with patients, family, friends, and carers. Signpost families and friends to other services, as appropriate Write and submit, to the Volunteer Manager, a brief report on each visit. Keep the Service Manager informed of any changes of significant happenings in connection with the client, either in person or by telephone Be an active part of the team of Marie Curie Companions and the wider team of Antrim Area Hospital’s volunteers. Attend regular group support and development sessions for Marie Curie Companions Help with other related tasks when necessary. THE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE YOU WILL NEED. Caring and Compassionate. Excellent listening skills. Mature attitude to death and dying. Patience, empathy, self-awareness, and emotional stability. Respect for confidentiality. Willingness to learn and operate within set boundaries. Reliability – keep commitments and appointments. Respect for individuals regardless of their race, gender, culture religion, disability, sexual orientation, and marital status. WHAT YOU CAN GAIN FROM THIS OPPORTUNITY. An excellent opportunity to build on your skills in a charity environment An induction, training, support and supervision in your role Agreed reasonable out-of-pocket expenses WHAT WE ASK OF YOU. To provide two references from non-family members and other relevant documents related to the role To keep to all the charity’s policies and guidelines To complete an induction and any training related to the role Complete mandatory training and role related renewals, as requested Marie Curie is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of patients and their families and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Marie Curie will treat all volunteers fairly and with respect. We will not discriminate on the basis of disability, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, sex (i.e. gender), sexual orientation, religion or faith, or gender reassignment. We will not discriminate on the basis of age, unless the responsibilities of a role require us to do so in order to safeguard our volunteers and/or service users. For more information or if you have any questions regarding this volunteer role, please contact the Volunteer Operations Centre on volunteeringmariecurie.org.uk