Wessex Cancer Support Telephone Support Volunteer

Volunteer telephone support roles in cancer provide a vital lifeline to isolated clients.

These roles focus on active listening, providing emotional support, and signposting to other resources. Volunteers typically offer a safe, confidential space without replacing counselling services.

Volunteers will be matched with a client for regular, one-to-one supportive listening conversations aimed improving overall wellbeing.

What skills do I need?

Key Responsibilities:

- Provide weekly or fortnightly structured phone calls to a client, family member, or carer over a period of 6-8 weeks.

- Establish a trusting rapport to help the person feel supported and less isolated

- Provide a safe, confidential environment to discuss fears, frustrations, or everyday practicalities.

- Listen actively and empathetically without attempting to give medical advice.

- Escalate any concerns about a client’s wellbeing to the relevant Centre Manager.

- Signpost individuals to local support services or the charity’s wider resource networks.

- Keep a written record summarising the content of each weekly conversation with the client to be added onto our electronic client records

Time Commitment: 1 to 2 hours per week.

Standard Requirements & Training

Regardless of the specific structure, these roles share a common framework:

Training: Full training on responsive communication &listening skills, boundaries, and safeguarding with requirement to do regular update training

Meetings: Attendance at Volunteer meetings within the relevant centre

Supervision: Regular check-ins with relevant Centre Manager.

Checks: Subject to an enhanced DBS/background check.

Location

This opportunity has no specific location e.g. can be carried out anywhere.