Marie Curie offers a Community Companion service to provide emotional support and practical help to people with terminal illnesses and the people closest to them.
How it works
- Volunteers offer companionship, emotional support and practical support. This includes help with Advance Care Plans, support and signposting around fuel poverty and carer support pre and post bereavement
- Volunteers are available for up to three hours per week
- Volunteers can also provide support over the phone
Who can use the service
- People with terminal illnesses or who are in the last year of their life can self-refer to the service
- Someone caring for someone who is terminally ill
- Healthcare professionals can also refer patients
How to contact the service
- Contact Marie Curie by phone on 0800 090 2309
- Call the Companion service in your area (South East) on 01883 772232
- Email southcompanions@mariecurie.org.uk
Other Marie Curie services
Support Line: Provides practical information and emotional support by phone, email, or online chat
Online Community: A place to share thoughts and feelings with others affected by terminal illness
Bereavement Support Service: Offers ongoing support
Volunteering
You can also volunteer with Marie Curie in your local area or remotely.
Categories:
Adult carers advice and support
Managing a long-term health condition
Services for older people
Support for carers
Volunteering
Palliative Care
End of Life Support
Service access criteria:
- Anyone diagnosed with any terminal illness (not just cancer)
- Anyone identified in their last year of life
- Anyone caring for someone terminally ill or in their last year of life
- Anyone with a terminal illness (and their carers) experiencing difficulties paying energy bills
- Anyone in need of bereavement support (recent or historic)
Additional needs catered for:
Vision impairment friendly
Hearing impairment friendly
Wheelchair accessible
Learning difficulty friendly
Physical disability friendly
Dementia friendly
Takes place in the client’s home
Non English speaking friendly
palliative care, end of life, cancer, terminal, carers