Why Volunteer with Macmillan Crossroads Volunteer Service?

Why volunteer with Macmillan Crossroads Volunteer Service?

With 2.5 million people in the UK now living with cancer, our challenge to make sure no one faces cancer alone has never been bigger. That is why we need people like you to volunteer your time in whatever way you can.

There are many ways to get involved, from supporting people in their homes as a companion, offering practical help, driving people to healthcare appointments, a little light housework or gardening for someone to volunteering in our office. Whether its minutes or months, hours or days, the time you give really does matter and make a difference

As a Macmillan Crossroads volunteer, you will:

Make a meaningful difference to people affected by cancer and some with other long-term health conditions or their carers.
Receive all necessary training for your role and have access toongoing personal development.
Have the opportunity to influence our work through occasional workshops and sharing in the training of new volunteers.
Meet like-minded volunteers and become part of the Macmillan Crossroads team.

What you can gain from this opportunity

Satisfaction from helping individuals at a time they need help the most.
Talking and listening with others in your community.
The chance to offer support, encouragement and companionship.
The opportunity to use your volunteering experience to add value to your CV and gain a professional reference.
The chance to use your volunteering experience as part of further education and University applications.

Role Title

Macmillan Crossroads Care Kent Volunteer

Reporting To

Directly responsible to the Macmillan Crossroads Kent Volunteer Coordinators

Role of a Macmillan Crossroads Volunteer

Volunteers of the Macmillan Crossroads Kent Volunteer service will develop a committed relationship with someone who is affected by cancer or other long-term health condition. This service aims to show people affected by ill health that they don’t have to go through it alone.

There is an expectation that volunteers will commit to a minimum of two hours per week to the service. The nature of this volunteering opportunity means the volunteer could be supporting someone at home, on outings and to appointments.

The types of support requested of a volunteer will vary depending on the needs of the person they are assigned to. Examples of types of support are listed below, but could be anything within our boundaries that makes a positive difference to their lives:-

Providing a ‘listening ear’
Support and encouragement and companionship
Light domestic tasks / meal preparation / shopping
Dog walking
Prescription collection
Light gardening
Escorting to appointments
Help with creating a memory box
Form filling
Virtual volunteering e.g. online shopping, helping with social media campaigns
Service support within the Macmillan Crossroads Volunteer office using administrative/office skills

Personal qualities

Volunteers for this service will have diverse backgrounds and life experiences which will be valuable to people affected by cancer or long-term health condition. In addition, volunteers will have the following:-

Ability to form positive, supportive relationships
Respect for people’s choices
Great communication and listening skills
Commitment and dedication to the service
Understanding of boundaries
Ability to remain confidential

Ability to accept people for who they are
Be reliable, flexible, honest and positive
Work on own initiative with common sense
Know when to seek support
Accept the limitations of the service

Essential requirements

Before volunteers are matched with a service user, all volunteers will be required to complete the application and reference process and attend and complete an initial training programme. In addition, volunteers will be expected to attend on-going training as deemed necessary to the service. Further training of interest to the volunteer can be negotiated to further their knowledge.

Because of the nature of this service and as support will be provided to potentially vulnerable people, an enhanced DBS check will be obtained.

Volunteers will be expected to have regular supervision with the Volunteer Coordinator. It is essential that volunteers recognise the importance of raising any concerns or issues as soon as they occur rather than waiting for supervision.

Procedure for becoming a Macmillan Crossroads Kent Volunteer

This document outlines the steps that you will need to take to become a volunteer for this service:

Please complete application form and return it to:

Macmillan Crossroads Kent Volunteer Service, 16 Reculver Road, Herne Bay CT66LE or email to

References

Please give names, addresses, and telephone numbers of two people who can provide professional references for you. If you have been in employment in the last 5 years one must include your last employer. Other professionals could include social workers, health visitors, day centre staff, tutors, religious leaders, or anyone else who has known you in a professional capacity for at least two years. If you cannot provide the names of two referees, please call 03450 958001.

Informal Discussion

You will be invited to meet with one of our volunteer coordinators for an informal discussion to discover what you might offer as a volunteer. This will also be an opportunity for you to learn more about the service and to ask any questions you may have.

If you would like to check on the status of your application at any time you can call

Tel: 03450 958001

Enhanced Disclosure Application (DBS)

You will be required to complete a DBS form, which will disclose any criminal convictions you may have. Because of the nature of the service for which you are applying, you must provide information about any criminal record. This includes convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings. Our power to require this lies in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 which removes the normal operation of the Act in relation to specific occupations, including the provision of Home Care Services.

Induction and initial training

Following a successful introduction, you will be invited to attend an induction and initial training sessions. This is where we will go over some of the issues you might encounter as a volunteer for this service.

On-going training and support

When you are assigned to a service user, you will receive regular supervision from the volunteer coordinator to support you. Further training requirements identified will be met throughout your time as a volunteer for this service.

You will also have the opportunity to meet with your fellow volunteers at ‘get-togethers’ to offer and receive peer support.

Expenses

Volunteers will be entitled to claim out of pocket expenses.

If you’re on benefits

You can volunteer and claim benefits if:

The only money you get from volunteering is to cover expenses, like travel costs.
You continue to meet the conditions of the benefit you get.

For further information on claiming benefits whilst volunteering visit:

For any further information on this volunteering opportunity, please contact:

Macmillan Crossroads Kent Volunteer Service,

16 Reculver Road, Herne Bay CT66LE.

Tel: 03450 958 001 Email:

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Feedback from people who use the service…

‘Someone who could understand the way I was feeling, I did not have to hold back my feelings as I was with my family. She was – is – very helpful to me, never questioning my thoughts and giving me so much support’

‘My Husbands treatment could not have been completed without my Volunteer, who has since become a dear and valued friend’

‘I was physically unable to cope with my garden. The gardening volunteer was a great help. It boosted my very low morale’

‘My Volunteer was always helpful, cheerful and most of all reliable. In seven weeks he was never late!’

16 Reculver Road, Beltinge, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 6LE

Tel: 03450 956 701 T: 01227 743 703 E:

Charity Registration Number 1073896:

A company limited by guarantee registered in England number 3694575