VOLUNTEER CORNER

Macmillan provides support to people affected by cancer, as well as their carers, by providing funding for medical staff and other professionals, providing free information, support through helplines, mobile units and volunteers, and by campaigning for change.

They are looking for Support Volunteers to provide one-to-one support. The support volunteer offers practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer that feel isolated.

Practical support may involve light housework, a little gardening, collecting some shopping, taking the dog for a walk or taking someone out for a cup of tea and a chat.

They also offer a non-judgmental listening ear in a confidential setting allowing their client to explore ways to enjoy life and take back control.

Volunteers with need to be an effective listener, be polite, courteous and patient, have the ability to maintain confidentiality, reliable, honest and punctual, have an interest in cancer care and the services that Macmillan provides and have the ability to recognise own boundaries and the limitations of the role.

SEAP provide free and independent mental health advocacy, health complaints advocacy and will soon be providing advocacy under the care act and community advocacy for Wokingham residents.

They are looking for Publicity Champions who can talk to groups at events and promote the work that SEAP does, distributing leaflets and posters and generally making the people of Wokingham aware of the advocacy services available to them. Must be available one or two half-days per week.

Good people skills and good communication skills are a must.

ABC To Read recruit, train and support volunteers who work on a one-to-one basis with primary school children who are struggling with reading.

Volunteers will visit a local primary school on a weekly basis and works with children individually seeing the same children on each visit, talking and reading and playing games with them.

The volunteers are supported by a field worker who is available to provide ideas and act as a link between the charity and the school.

The next new training session is on November 16-17.

To find out more about these roles and volunteering, please visit our website www. volunteercentrewokingham.org.uk , call us on 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk