Qualified counsellors to work with people affected by cancer (patients & carers) - Cancer Information and Support Centres (Epsom & St Helier)

Receiving a diagnosis of cancer, can be a very stressful experience. Counsellors can support people affected by cancer (patients & carers) during this difficult time and enable them to see things more clearly and discover some coping mechanisms.

About the Organisation

Our Cancer Information and Support Centres at both Epsom Hospital and St Helier Hospital provide information and support to anyone affected by cancer, and those who are worried about the risks of cancer. 

What you will be doing

Patients affected by cancer benefit greatly from brief-focused counselling (up to 9 sessions) to help them find coping strategies to manage their situations. Counselling often enables patients to achieve a better quality of life and can help to reduce the stress and anxiety caused by the diagnosis, treatment and side-effects of a cancer diagnosis.
 
Qualified counsellors are required to work with people affected by cancer (patients and carers) at our Cancer Information & Support Centres at both Epsom and St Helier Hospitals. Counsellors see 3 clients each week for brief-focussed counselling. Clinical supervision will be provided.

What's in it for you?

Volunteering in this role can be very rewarding as you see the benefit of your interaction with the patients. Volunteers are part of a team of approximately 28 volunteers, including complementary therapists and front of house volunteers, working at both Epsom and St Helier Cancer Information and Support Centres. 

You will be joining a friendly, supportive team of diverse professionals all working together in the interests of people affected by cancer.

Our mandatory induction and training covers:

  • Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust mandatory training (online)
  • Face-to-face training on listening and responding skills training, cancer awareness training and a general induction training for the centres

All training has to be completed before starting as a volunteer. There is a three month probation period, after which there will be a discussion with Centre Manager to see how things have gone.

What skills will you need?

Volunteer Counsellors should:

  • Be accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or working towards accreditation
  • Be qualified to Diploma level or equivalent
  • Provide evidence of appropriate professional liability insurance

You must have completed and passed the taught component of the course but may still be accruing the clinical hours required for accreditation. You must have completed at least 100 supervised clinical placement hours. 

All counsellors are required to have a DBS check (organised and funded by us) as they work with a very vulnerable client group.
 

What's the time commitment and where? 

Time Commitment

Half a day per week please. Time for clinical supervision, once a month. Need to be able to commit to the role for 18 months - 2 years

Role Address

Cancer Information & Support centre Ferguson House St Helier Hospital Carshalton SM5 1AA

Macmillan Butterfly Centre First Floor Bradbury Wing Epsom General Hospital Dorking Road, Epsom KT18 7EG

How can I apply?

Please complete the form below and we will put you in contact with the organisation.   It’s helpful if you can tell us a little about yourself and why you’re interested in this role in the message box below. 

By completing this form you agree for us to pass on your contact details to the organisation.

 

 

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