By Your Side – A One-to-One Cancer Support Service
Would you like to speak with someone who has walked in your shoes?
By Your Side is a support service that complements the services currently available to those affected by cancer in Dundee, offering a short-term opportunity for people living with cancer to speak to someone who has experienced cancer themselves. This service has been designed by a group of people affected by cancer in Dundee, the ICJ Cancer Voices, and is a Macmillan Cancer Support and Volunteer Dundee partnership project.
How can we help?
Our volunteers are ready to listen and share, with a deep personal understanding of the emotional challenges that cancer can bring. After we match you with one of our volunteers, they will be in touch to arrange a meet-up at a time and location convenient for both of you. These meet-ups are led by you and your needs. What would you like to talk about? How is cancer affecting your life? What questions have you been unable to ask? How are you really feeling?
What happens next?
After around three meet-ups, we will discuss how to move ahead. Dundee has many useful support services including drop-in information, holistic needs support, long-term befriending and gentle exercise classes. If you would like, your volunteer can support you to access any of these.
For more information, please get in touch with the team:
01382 797 352 or 07889 571 062 or byyourside@dvva.scot
To refer someone you know to the service, please fill in this form By Your Side Referral Form
VOLUNTEERING WITH US:
Have you been through cancer yourself?
Would you be willing to use your experience to support others living with cancer? You could play a vital role supporting someone with cancer by enabling them to talk openly about their experiences with someone who truly understands what they are going through.
Personal experience, skills and qualities needed:
- As a By Your Side volunteer, you will have lived through cancer yourself, finished treatment, and feel ready to use your experience to help others.
- An ability to comfortably and sensitively share your experience in a way that supports, empowers and brings hope to others. (The training sessions will help you to explore this.)
- Demonstrate excellent listening and communication skills, and be able to initiate and sustain trusting relationships.
- Be reliable, compassionate, flexible and non-judgemental; respecting others’ views and choices.
Support and guidance:
We provide full training for the role and hold regular group supervision sessions to enable you to reflect on your practice and discuss any issues. Staff are on-hand during and after your meet-ups to provide support if required. We also provide reimbursement for of out-of-pocket travel and refreshment expenses.
For more information, or to discuss the role with a member of the team, please call or email:
01382 797 352 or 07889 571 062 or byyourside@dvva.scot
By Your Side Peer Support Volunteer Role
To apply, please fill in this application form By Your Side Application Form