Volunteering

Volunteering and CancerSupportGroup06

The work of CSG06 relies on the time and commitment of volunteers.  The time that people can give varies considerably from one person to another, and the skills that people can offer are also equally diverse.  So whether you have just a few hours to help with a specific event or task, or can make a regular commitment, we would love to hear from you.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer we have listed below the main roles that we offer.  Of course, if you don’t fit into one of these but think you have something valuable to offer, do get in touch with us here.

Volunteering gives you the opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills and of course to help people who have, or are recovering, from cancer.

Not all roles are directly with clients so please have a read through the list below to see if anything interests you.

Any volunteer directly assisting clients in any capacity attends a free 1 or 2-day Active Listening training course (depending on your previous experience and the nature of the volunteereing role).

Volunteers are unpaid but are able to claim reasonable expenses for travel etc.

  • ACTIVE LISTENER:

Our active listeners provide support to our clients who are affected by cancer, and also their families, on the telephone, and during home or hospital visits.  Active listeners are required to attend a 2-day training course to develop the necessary skills, to continue the practice of their skills through a mentored programme with other active listeners, and to attend discussion meetings and regular follow up training days. No previous experience is required to become an active listener. For more information on the next Active Listener training please go to our blog on Active Listening here.

  • PRACTICAL HELP – COMMUNITY SUPPORT VOLUNTEER

We aim to offer practical help to our clients, for example collection of prescriptions or essential shopping items, driving clients to medical appointments or on other essential local trips, together with help around the house.  All our Community Support Volunteers are required to attend our Active Listening free training course.

  • PUBLICITY:

Volunteers are encouraged to participate in raising the profile of the association by the distribution of posters and leaflets in key strategic places (surgeries, hospitals, health centres, etc.) and to maintain them. Publicity work will also involve posting information about our fundraising and social events locally. Our Administrator provides guidance and help.

  • THERAPEUTIC SERVICES

We provide a range of therapeutic services to our clients.  These currently include one-to-one meetings with a psychologist, counsellor and sophrologist, access to an oncology nurse, together with group sessions such as art therapy and mindful meditation.  We wish to exapnd this to include, for example, yoga, pilates, exercise classes, massage, reikki and nutritional advice.  All our therapists are required to attend our Active Listening free training course and to have recognised training or experience in their field relating to working with people with cancer.  We are sometimes able to offer a modest contribution towards the fees of professional therapists who wish to work with our clients, depending on our levels of funding.

  • FUNDRAISING:

As a self financed association we rely on fundraising to meet our financial requirements. We plan to organise events throughout the region on a regular basis and interested members are invited to participate in event organisation.  Another very successful way to raise funds and awareness is by holding a coffee morning in your home: an easy guide to holding a coffee morning is available. Please let us know if you wish to hold a coffee morning or similar “at-home” event or indeed if you have any fundraising ideas.  We are able to provide guidance and help.

  • ADMINISTRATIVE HELP:

From time to time we require administrative help with special projects and the development of our library of information. Please let us know if you have IT and/or social media skills too.

  • TRANSLATION:

If you are a fluent French speaker, you may be able to help with interpreting for clients at medical appointments, with hospital staff or with social security queries. You may also be able to offer your skills to translate leaflets or information.

Contact us here if you would like further information or have a question.

 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU SOON.