Changing Faces
We offer one to one support, run the national Skin Camouflage Service, and campaign for change.
Contact:
Tel: 0300 012 0275 or 020 7391 9270
Email: support@changingfaces.org.uk
Web: www.changingfaces.org.uk
Facebook: @changingfacesuk
Twitter: @faceequality
Care Network Cambridgeshire
We do this by equipping, encouraging and enabling volunteers to support local people, throughout Cambridgeshire.
• Welcome Home from Hospital offers short term practical and emotional help to people in their own homes.
• Community Navigators support people to find services and activities.
• Community Development helps people get involved with their local community.
For more information or to get involved, please contact 01954 211919, admin@care-network.org.uk, www.care-network.org.uk, @CareNetworkCamb.
We are open Mondays from 10 am to 1 pm and Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 10 am to 4 pm.
Address:
120 Cambridge Road, Great Shelford,
Cambridge, CB22 5JT.
Tel: 01223 840105
Email: contact@cambridgecancerhelp.org
Profile: Jon
During my wife’s illness, I spent a lot of time getting to know different parts of Addenbrookes, from the Treatment Centre to Clinic 8, via many points in between. When the following year, I was thinking about volunteering generally, I realised that Addenbrookes would be a good place to look. I was particularly pleased that there were more roles than ward visiting, which I had assumed would be all there was, as I was already spending too much time visiting to my bed-bound Dad.
Guiding seemed a good role for me, as I already had a good understanding of the hospital – though there is always something surprising as they squeeze yet another bit in, it would provide a chance to interact with people and would get me on my feet, walking about, whilst giving me a chance to give back to a place that has done so much.
Guiding did what I expected.
You get to deal with a whole range of people – from new staff looking for bits of the hospital they have never been to before, through patients who have been to Addenbrookes before and just want to be pointed in the rough direction of a new clinic, to those who are panicking because this is their first time and they had no idea how big (or confusing) Addenbrookes can be.
You can tell that you are making a difference when you see the relief and thanks on people faces when all you did was find someone a wheelchair to take their partner to the clinic or offer to take someone to Discharge Lounge. Guides do not make the difference that the clinical and other support staff do, but we can make many peoples early interactions with the hospital just that little bit easier, and that is a key reason why I enjoy being one.
Cambridge Cancer Help Centre
The atmosphere is warm, friendly and informal and everyone is welcome to drop in whether for a cup of tea and a chat or for something more…..
– We offer a range of complementary therapies from qualified therapists. Individual counselling is also available.
– We have thriving art, craft and nutrition groups and we organise regular social activities.
– Information is available from our well-stocked library and there are support groups for those with specific cancers.
– The Macmillan HOPE course and Expert Patients Programme are self-management programmes to help you manage your condition. Each is run several times throughout the year.
To learn more about how we can help, please visit our website at www.cambridgecancerhelp.org alternatively, why not drop in and meet us. You can be sure of a warm welcome!
RVS
The charity has three cafés across the hospital, which are run by staff and supported by caring volunteers. Together, the team serve hot and cold drinks, healthy meals and treats, a warm welcome and a friendly face from behind counters in the outpatients and oncology departments, and in the Rosie Maternity Hospital.
Providing more than just refreshments, the team understand that being in hospital, or visiting a loved one in hospital, can be a challenging experience, and so they’re happy to offer a listening ear to anyone who might want to take a moment to chat.
The service provided by the volunteers is also greatly appreciated by hard-working NHS staff who often stop by for a well-deserved bite, drink and break. Profits generated by the Royal Voluntary Service café help the charity to fund its work supporting the NHS and those most vulnerable in the community.
Volunteering at the RVS café is a very social and rewarding role, and the friendly team are looking for more volunteers to join them in brightening the days of their customers at the hospital.
Volunteers can choose from a range of roles and responsibilities at the café, from cooking teacakes, to working on the tills, or simply just chatting with and serving customers. No previous experience or special skills are required, as all training is provided, making it a great opportunity to learn something new.
Anyone looking to give back to the hospital, gain new skills, meet new people, or try something new and rewarding can visit www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk or say hello on 01223244749 and addenbrookeshosp@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
The young person’s volunteering programme (16-18)
The Young Person’s Programme is available exclusively for those aged 16-18 with cohorts held twice a year in spring term and autumn term.
If you are unable to join one of these programmes, you can apply to any of our daytime roles, including guide, wheelchair, clinic and ward volunteers. You will generally need to be available once per week between 10.30 – 12.30 or 14.00 – 16.00. You can find more information here: Volunteering opportunities – Our Volunteers (cuh.org.uk)
If you are particularly interested in being a volunteer with Radio Addenbrooke’s, you should apply through a different link, further information and link can be found here. This is is not part of the YPP programme.
These volunteering activities may count towards your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Volunteering section, please check with your DofE Leader before applying. We are able to accommodate candidates for the duration of all three levels. Please contact us for further information: 01223 586616 or Cuh.volunteer@nhs.net
YPP volunteers are allocated to the wards, where they help out with the meal service, providing assistance and encouragement for our frailer patients. YPP volunteers can engage with patients who are lonely, isolated or anxious with the opportunity to communicate. This can take the form of:
- A conversation
- An activity (such as a quiz or game)
These interactions are simple but can make a great difference to patients, to whom the day in hospital can seem long and dreary. A listening ear, a friendly smile and a kind word are sometimes the things that matter most.
If you have an interest in investigating a career in the NHS, you can gain valuable insight into life on the wards. The programme can help you to develop your communication skills and confidence as you move through the duration of the programme. Volunteering in a hospital is also frequently seen as beneficial by Higher Education establishments.
The programme
- The volunteering duty is once per week for two hours, 16.30-18.30, Monday-Friday. Successful applicants will be allocated a specific day during the week.
- YPP volunteers are required to attend for the duration of the programme unless illness or other agreed absence prevents attendance.
- Online healthcare awareness sessions are conducted over Teams. Attendance is compulsory, monitored and tied to your ability to progress through the programme.
- Mid-term Healthcare Careers Event including an opportunity to ask questions of senior leaders within CUH (spring and autumn programmes only). It is compulsory to attend.
- All volunteers are supported throughout the programme by Voluntary Services Department staff.
- At the end of the programme volunteers will receive certificates and a reference, provided sufficient hours have been completed.. There are opportunities to be a supervisor in the next programme and/or mentor the new YPP volunteers.
Comments from Young Volunteers:
“There will be some aspects that will surprise you but you learn a lot and I feel it is a very valuable experience”
“It is very rewarding, you meet a great bunch of people volunteering.”
Feedback from Healthcare Awareness sessions:
“Just wanted to firstly say thank you for the running of the YPP programme. I really enjoyed myself and learnt many new things which will definitely help me for the future”
“Thank you for providing this course, it’s been an experience that was filled with learning about the Trust and how the NHS works.”
If successful and offered a place on the Young Person’s Programme, you will need to complete mandatory training and attend the YPP induction.
NB: people under the age of 18 cannot spend more than a total of 40 hours per week in school/college, paid work and volunteering.
As a volunteer, the right to work within the UK is still needed and as part of our recruitment process and the relevant documents will be checked. You need to give this consideration before applying.
Activity Pack Coordinator or Distributor
Our activity packs are designed to provide entertainment and stimulation, all important in helping pass the hours and keeping the mind agile, essential to recovery. Our activity pack distributors visit the wards delivering packs to our adult patients.
Time: AM (10:00 – 12:00) and pm (14:00 – 17:00)
Uniform: Red volunteer polo shirt or apron
Comfort Kit Coordinator or Distributor
Our kits provide patients with a Sleep Well pack (eye mask and ear plugs), visiting hours information and a small selection of other information aimed at making their stay more comfortable. There are two roles related to this: a coordinator who makes up and records the number of packs and a distributor who delivers the packs around the hospital.
Time: AM (10:00 – 12:00) and pm (14:00 – 17:00)
Uniform: Red volunteer polo shirt or apron
Volunteer librarians/magazine distributers
They take a range of quality second hand magazines, too. Most importantly, our volunteer librarians spend time talking with patients and their friendly conversation makes a welcome break in the day for many.
Time: AM (10:00 – 12:00) and pm (14:00 – 17:00)
Uniform: Red volunteer polo shirt
Volunteer Marshals
Cars are sent by volunteers to phlebotomy bays allowing the phlebotomists to keep focused on patients. Dressed for the weather, these volunteers are out in sun, wind and rain and clock-up thousands of steps each shifts. Don’t worry, we provide weather for wet and cold weather.
This role would people who enjoy the outdoors and exercise.
Times: Flexible, usually a 3-4 hour slot, between 09.00 – 16.00.
Uniform: Red volunteer polo shirt with gilet or red fleece.
