Affected by cancer? We can help
North Derbyshire Expert Patient Volunteer Buddies are people who have been diagnosed with cancer or cared for someone with cancer. They support others who are affected by cancer in North Derbyshire.
A Buddy can support you by
- sharing experience of their own cancer journey
- being there with a listening ear
- providing a confidential space to talk
- signposting to relevant information and/or support
If you are a cancer patient, survivor or carer who would like to contact a Buddy or if you would like to make a difference to local cancer patients and carers by volunteering some time Sam would love to hear from you!
Mobile: 07926 361183 Email: sam@dva.org.uk
North Derbyshire Expert Patient Buddies are friendly and compassionate volunteers - they have all been diagnosed with prostate, breast and other cancers, or have cared for someone with cancer. They are comprehensively trained to offer telephone (and when appropriate face-to-face) emotional support to people affected by cancer. Buddies offer a weekly phone call lasting no more than 60 minutes, at a time that is mutually convenient for the service receiver and the buddy. Whilst they have been trained specifically to support people affected by cancer, they have extended their support to non-cancer patients in need of a regular friendly phone call during these challenging times.
So far our Buddy Service has received 100% positive feedback. Interim service feedback has indicated that service receivers wish to continue with Buddy support. The service has been described as a ‘life line’ providing an opportunity for patients and carers to share experience and gain reassurance that they would have otherwise sought from clinicians and other health care professionals.
Buddy Volunteer training has been developed and delivered by qualified trainers in partnership with Macmillan which includes:
- Listening and responding
- Establishing and maintaining boundaries
- Handling difficult conversations
- Confidentiality
- Lone Working
- Signposting
- Safeguarding
- Data Protection
Buddy Volunteers also receive monthly supervision.
The Expert Patient Programme has been accredited against the Macmillan Volunteering Standards, so you can be assured that the support offered will be of a high standard and compliant with best practice.
How to refer:
As the Expert Patient Programme Manager, all referrals are coordinated through me. You can refer by telephone on 07926 361183 or via email: sam@dva.org.uk