Volunteer at the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre
Volunteers form an integral part of the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre team undertaking a wide range of activities, from our ‘frontline’ service in the Drop-in centre to ‘back office’ administrative support. Over half of our staff are volunteers; the commitment and dedication they show are greatly valued – we couldn’t do without them.
Drop-in Centre
Volunteers work alongside healthcare professionals providing support and information both to centre visitors and also telephone callers.
Suitable qualities: Kind, considerate, caring, dedicated, interested in people, empathic, compassionate, calm, reliable, discreet, practical, team player
Our commitment: To provide appropriate training, resources and support
Your commitment: To work at the centre on a regular basis, ideally one day each week; to attend team meetings and training sessions as required
Contact: Rosemary Lucey (01923 844014)
Complementary Therapies
Volunteer complementary therapists work on the cancer wards and in the outpatients departments offering Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Indian Head Massage. Complementary therapists must have at least one year’s experience since completing their training.
Suitable qualities: Kind, considerate, caring, dedicated, interested in people, empathic, compassionate, calm, reliable, discreet
Qualifications: Must be recognised by relevant governing body
Our commitment: To provide appropriate training for working with cancer patients, resources and support
Your commitment: To work at the centre on a regular basis, ideally one day each week; to attend team meetings and training sessions as required
Contact: Cherry Mackie (01923 844694)
Counselling
Volunteer counsellors work with outpatients for short term psychological therapy within the LJMC. People are usually seen for up to six sessions. Common issues include depression, anxiety, adjustment and coping with uncertainty.
Suitable qualities: Empathic, reliable and dedicated
Qualifications: Qualified and accredited; registered with the appropriate governing body
Our commitment: To provide appropriate supervision, support and resources as well as training on cancer and its treatments
Your commitment: To work at the centre on a regular and committed basis for at least one session per week (seeing 2-3 clients); to attend team meetings and/or training sessions as required
Contact: Parminder Sagoo (01923 844482)
Administration
Several departments at the LJMC need volunteers including the Information, Complementary Therapy, Research and Business teams. Tasks are varied and may include: Publicity & communications activities, database and computer work, proof-reading, checking information, correspondence, library work, leaflet distribution.
Suitable qualities: Organised, tidy, dedicated, attention to detail, team player, flexible, reliable
Our commitment: To provide appropriate training, resources and support
Your commitment: No minimum time commitment but reliability is important
Contact: Rosemary Lucey (01923 844014)
Fundraising
The LJMC is only partially funded by the NHS so fundraising is an ongoing activity. We always need more people to help, both to run events, and to help us run them. Fundraising starts with ‘FUN’ and, whether it’s rattling a tin outside a supermarket, seeking out special raffle prizes or parachuting out of an aeroplane, there’s always something interesting to be done. We don’t want to limit your imagination as to how you can help!
Suitable qualities: Keen, enthusiastic, honest, dedicated, sense of humour, enjoy interacting with people, reliable, positive, flexible
Our commitment: To provide appropriate training, instructions and support to do the tasks
Your commitment: No minimum time commitment but reliability is important
Contact: Sue Hordyj (01923 844589)
As well as working in the LJMC itself, other opportunities for volunteering also arise, particularly to support fundraising events and on administrative projects. If you feel unable to make a regular commitment but are still interested in helping out, we still want to hear from you! Please call the relevant person listed above.
Working with people affected by cancer can be very emotionally stressful. For this reason, within the LJMC itself, we are unable to use the services of people who, within the last two years, have received treatment for cancer, or who have had a close relationship with a cancer patient, or who have been bereaved within this period. However, there are other ways in which you may be able to help the LJMC so please speak with Rosemary Lucey about these opportunities.
Volunteers who work on a regular basis at the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre will be required to attend mandatory training courses (eg, Fire, Health & Safety). We are required to obtain Occupational Health Clearance and personal references for all volunteers, together with a Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau for any volunteers helping in patient areas.
The Complementary Therapy Network is a register of professionally registered and experienced therapists who use their skills to work with people affected by cancer. These therapists have undertaken further training with the LJMC in cancer care.
If you are interested in joining the Complementary Therapy Network, please contact our Complementary Therapy Co-ordinators, Cherry Mackie & Pam Thorpe (01923 844694) for more information or download an application form.
Last updated: 8 October, 2009
Opportunities for Volunteers at the LJMC: