‘We always have plenty to talk about’
MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR SOMEONE LIVING WITH TERMINAL ILLNESS BY BECOMING A MARIE CURIE HELPER
LIVING with a terminal illness is tough, especially if you’re facing it alone. Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity, and its Helper programme pairs volunteers with dying people and their loved ones, providing company and assistance with small everyday tasks for up to three hours a week.
Having someone to help with shopping or trips to hospital appointments, or even just a friend to talk to, can make a huge difference to a person near the end of their life. And for volunteers like Melanie Hill, 23, it’s an incredibly rewarding way to give back.
Melanie has been a Marie Curie helper since 2018. “After I finished my training, I was matched with 80- year- o l d Barbara, who is living with liver cancer,” she says. “Barbara lives on her own, so is quite isolated.”
Melanie was matched with Barbara because they share similar interests. “We both like a bit of a natter,” says Melanie. “Sometimes we go to the shops if she needs anything, but mostly we just sit and chat for a couple of hours – we’re never short of things to talk about.”
Becoming a helper has given Melanie a new friendship she would never have found otherwise. “It feels like chatting to my grandma,” she says. “Barbara was actually a bit at first and wasn’t sure how well we’d get on, but it’s worked really well.”
Melanie has been trained to prepare for the fact that Barbara will grow more unwell and eventually die, but she has the comfort of knowing she’s made a difference. “I know it’s always going to be upsetting, but there will be a part of me that is happy I helped Barbara have a better end-of-life experience.”