Community Companions

Marie Curie is expanding its Community Companion service to support people at end of life across the Brighton & Hove area. 

This is your opportunity to become a Community Companion!

WHAT YOU WOULD BE DOING: 

The support a Community Companion provides is unique to each person and their individual circumstances, but is likely to include:   

• Visiting people identified as end of life in a place of their choosing and outlining the support that is available to them and to the people closest to them
• Providing emotional support to people at end of life and the people closest to them  
• Providing practical information, support, and signposting to other local services to people at end of life and the people closest to them   
• Providing carer support including pre and post bereavement support, ensuring the right local provision-based support is in place for people within caring roles
• Opportunities to help promote the Community Companion service within your local community.

Benefits

• Becoming an important part of Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity   
• Making a real difference to people at end of life and to the people closest to them   
• Connecting with new and interesting people with a common goal   
• Building and developing your skills in a supportive environment    
• Continued training, development, and support  
• Access to other opportunities within Marie Curie  
• Agreed reasonable out-of-pocket expenses   

Practical Considerations

• You will be offered companion opportunities based on where you live and in the case when you're based in the least proximity to a client out of our local volunteers. 
• Your availability will be taken into account when offering you volunteering opportunities.

Next Steps to Apply:

• Complete a volunteering application form or submit an expression of interest  
• Attend an informal interview with a member of the Marie Curie team either face to face or online via Microsoft Teams   
• Supply the details of two people (not family members) who can provide you with a reference    
• Consent to a DBS (criminal record) check and submit the appropriate documentation online for the check to be completed  
• Attend a volunteer induction  over teams or in person (based on your preferance). 
• Complete core and role-specific Marie Curie training. 

Support Disabled

We offer opportunities such as supporting pop-up stall events that take place at venues such as libraries or community centres. We can ensure that a Marie Curie employee is present during these activities. A Marie Curie employee will always accompany the volunteer to their first meeting with a client and can do so for the next few visits until the volunteer and client are comfortable.

Skills

• Friendly and approachable 
• Patient, empathetic and sensitive to the needs of others  
• An active listener and an ability to build a rapport with others   
• Self-aware and emotionally resilient  
• Adaptable and open to learning and developing  
• Able and willing to operate within Marie Curie’s boundaries and to follow all processes, procedures and guidelines including using a lone worker device  
• Committed, reliable and trustworthy  
• An understanding of confidentiality  
• Inclusive and respectful  
• A mature perspective on life and death  
• Access to a PC, laptop, Tablet or Phone and basic IT skills e.g. the ability to type on word and email attachments.   

When do I need to be available?

Details	We operate on a Monday-Friday, 9-5 basis and will offer you opportunities based on the availability schedule you share with us.

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Where does this role take place?

Register your Interest