Macmillan Cancer Support (North of Scotland)

At Macmillan, we know cancer can affect everything. But right now, we can’t reach everyone who needs us. Almost half of us will get cancer, and we need your help to make sure that people get the support they need. Whether it’s minutes or months, hours or days, the time you give by volunteering with Macmillan really does matter.


Current opportunities

People affected by cancer tell us they need support during their cancer journey, and sometimes people cannot access support face to face in their local community. Our new remote befrienders service aims to help to break down isolation by offering one-to-one befriending over the phone, by email, letter or text. By choosing to join us as an emotional support volunteer you will be doing something amazing for people at a difficult time. >What is involved? You will be helping someone affected by cancer who cannot access face to face support because they live in an area with no suitable local support. You will provide emotional support such as listening and talking, or exchanging emails, providing a supportive relationship to help reduce feelings of isolation offer reassurance and increase confidence. This role involves volunteering unsupervised, usually from your own home. Support is available from your Macmillan Volunteer Manager or Co-ordinator or from the Services Lead Volunteer. You will also be given an induction and appropriate training. >What you won’t be expected to do •Give advice to the person that you are matched with, although you may be able to signpost them to other Macmillan and community services which can offer guidance. •Provide indefinite support to the person that you are matched with. The service is usually time limited to a 12-week period, except for exceptional circumstances. >What will you get out of it? •Be part of an enthusiastic team of people who want to make a difference, just like you •Have a rewarding experience making a difference to people affected by cancer •Receive induction and ongoing training in individual and group volunteer support sessions •Use and develop your communication and people skills enhancing your CV •Receive agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed within our guidelines >How much time should I give? This is flexible based on the time that you have available and the needs of the people that we support. We would suggest a few hours a week ideally for a year or more. >Apply today by completing an online application form at https://www.macmillan.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/how-to-volunteer.html We’ll contact you to discuss your application and the role in more detail, and answer questions. >for more information regarding this role/volunteering with us in Aberdeen / North of Scotland please contact Tina Morrow on 07455765844 or tmorrow@macmillan.org.uk to find out more.

People living with cancer tell us they need emotional support to feel less isolated and lonely and sometimes need some help with practical tasks that they are temporarily having trouble with. By choosing to join us as a Buddy volunteer, you’ll be doing something amazing for people in these extraordinary times, so they can continue to feel connected to the world outside. Together, we can be right there for people with cancer. There are two types of buddy volunteer: -Community Buddy: provides face-to-face support in the community or in people’s homes to alleviate loneliness and help with simple practical tasks. and -Telephone Buddy: provides telephone support to alleviate loneliness and social isolation for people living with cancer -What we're looking for: *Good listener and clear communicator *Patient, flexible and reliable *Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding whilst maintaining boundaries *Good IT skills in order to access required systems and resources *Understand the need to maintain confidentiality -What you can gain from this opportunity: *Meet new people as part of a friendly team that makes a difference *Use and develop your communication and people skills *Have a rewarding experience making a difference to people living with cancer *Receive an induction, relevant training, the support you need to carry out your role, and agreed out-of-pocket expenses (reimbursed within our guidelines) All volunteer help is greatly appreciated and makes a real difference. For further details/to apply please visit: https://volunteering.macmillan.org.uk/opportunities/200-macmillan-telephone-buddy-scotland-2022-09-27 or contact Leigh Watt, Macmillan Cancer Support Volunteer Services Delivery Lead (North Scotland) at Email: LWatt@macmillan.org.uk / telephone: 07801307003.

At Macmillan we give people with cancer everything we’ve got. Are you a good listener and clear communicator? Then we would love you to join our team as a Macmillan Community Buddy and help Macmillan support people living with cancer. *Why we want you: Bring your listening and communication skills to support people living with cancer to feel less isolated and lonely and to help with practical tasks that they are temporarily having trouble with. By joining us you’ll be doing something amazing for people, so they can continue to feel connected to the world outside and helping them find their best way through. Together, we can be right there for people with cancer. *What you will be doing • Providing face-to-face support in the community or in people’s homes to alleviate loneliness and help with simple practical tasks • Adopting a non-judgemental and supportive approach to understand the needs and concerns of people living with cancer • Supporting 1-3 people living with cancer every week for up to 12 visits • Completing post call ‘records of activity’ reports and using all required systems • Joining group catch up calls every 4-6 weeks to get key updates and/or share good practice • Volunteering within agreed hours and following all best practice guidelines • Signposting to additional support if required and raising any further concerns with the Macmillan team *The skills you need • Good listener and clear communicator • Patient, flexible and reliable • Ability to respect others’ differences and choices • Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding while maintaining boundaries • Ability to recognise when to ask for support • Ability to work independently with guidance and support • Understand the need to maintain confidentiality • Ability and willingness to travel in your local area • Good IT skills in order to access required systems and resources • Ability to commit to 4 hours of online training *What's in it for you • Meet new people as part of a friendly team that makes a difference • Use and develop your communication and people skills • Have a rewarding experience making a difference to people living with cancer who are especially isolated • Receive an induction, relevant training, the support you need to carry out your role, and agreed out-of-pocket expenses (reimbursed within our guidelines) By sharing your skills and time, you’ll have the opportunity to utilise and develop your skills and will make a difference to people’s lives. Together, we can be right there for people with cancer. If you would like to join our team, please apply to volunteer today! For further details/to apply please visit: https://volunteering.macmillan.org.uk/opportunities/193-macmillan-community-buddy-scotland-2022-09-27 or contact us at email: vsscotnir@macmillan.org.uk or telephone: 020 7091 2165 / 07458135292.