Companion Support

Marie Curie is creating a Hospital Companion service in Plymouth to support people at end of life in both Mount Gould and Derriford Hospital. This is an exciting opportunity for volunteers to influence and shape the Hospital Companion Service and to improve the experience of patients within hospital in Plymouth.

Hospital Companions offer companionship, emotional support, and a reassuring presence to people at end of life and the people closest to them. Focusing on what matters the most to the person, Hospital Companions draw upon their volunteer training, community knowledge and networks to provide bespoke person-centered support.  

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

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

• providing companionship and emotional support to people at end of life and the people closest to them
• providing practical information, support, and signposting to other local services such as bereavement support and advanced care plan
• promoting the Hospital Companion service within the Hospital setting and the local community
• completing and returning a short report at the end of each hospital visit
• attending and participating in regular volunteer wellbeing sessions, team meetings, and refresher training

THE SKILLS / EXPERIENCE YOU WILL NEED

• 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

WHAT YOU CAN GAIN FROM THIS OPPORTUNITY

• 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

THE NEXT STEPS

• 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 face to face volunteer induction
• Complete core and role specific Marie Curie training

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.