Support group volunteers
We recognise the need to provide those affected by cervical abnormalities and cervical cancer with greater access to support. From a survey of women who come to Jo’s, 86% said that they would find it helpful to have access to a local support group. With this in mind, we launched the first of our pilot support groups across the UK and a new telephone helpline in January 2011. We would like to launch further groups and are looking for volunteers.
Local Support Group leader
Do you have good organisational skills, like meeting people and want to help others affected by cervical cancer? We’re looking for volunteers to run our pilot local support groups, especially in the following areas:
- Glasgow
- Edinburgh
- Cardiff
- Belfast
- Manchester
- Birmingham
- Cambridge
- Plymouth
- Brighton.
We have initially chosen the areas above due to them being in major cities with an even spread throughout the UK, close to large hospitals. Based on the success of the pilot groups, we will then look to launch further groups.
No Support Group in your area?
If you do not live in close to one of the areas where we are looking to pilot local support groups (see above), we would be happy to discuss options of running a support group in the nearest large town or city to you. We would also be really pleased if you would consider volunteering for our helpline.
What is a Local Support Group?
Support groups offer the opportunity for women affected by cervical cancer to meet others in their community. It’s an ideal environment for information and mutual support, allowing group members to discover possible coping strategies, solutions and a place to be heard. Groups will also sometimes get involved in distributing information, raising awareness and raising vital funds for Jo’s Trust.
What is the role of a Group Leader?
Being a group leader can be very rewarding. You will be in an ideal position to help others and become more involved with Jo’s Trust’s activities. Commitment is more important to us than time, although a few hours a month will be needed to run a successful group. You will be required to run a group on a regular basis (to be agreed), organising venue, information and perhaps a speaker.
Ideally, we will be looking to have two volunteers to jointly run each group to share the organising and running and help support each other.
Becoming a Group Leader
To be a group leader you must be willing to go through a careful selection process, including a CRB check and take part in our training programme. The training this year will be held from 5pm 25th November - 12pm 27th November and attendance is mandatory. To become a group leader, we would anticipate that you will have or have had personal experience of cervical cancer (e.g. patient/close family member/friend) or be a health professional within this field. Once trained you will be part of a volunteer network that will be in regular contact to support one another and share good practice.
To ensure our volunteers are equipped to carry out their role Jo’s cervical cancer Trust will provide ongoing support and training including:
- Attendance at a training weekend (paid for by Jo’s Trust)
- A Support Network manual covering all aspects of running a group including information about Jo’s Trust and copies of all our publications
- Dedicated back-up from Jo’s Trust’s Service Development Manager.
- Help with local publicity, arranging meetings and organising events and fundraising activities.
Timings
If you would like to be considered as a Support Group volunteer, please fill out one of our application forms and send to the Service Development Manager.
What do I do next?
If you think that you have the qualities to be in this important role of helping others in a face to face environment, please download our application form. For a printable version of the form click here.
Once you have completed your application form either
Post to: Rebecca Shoosmith, Services Development Manager, Jo’s cervical cancer Trust, 16 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3ED
Or save an electronic copy of your application and email it to rebecca@jostrust.org.uk.
Alternatively, if you would like to speak to someone before completing your application form, contact Rebecca Shoosmith on 020 7936 7498.
Last updated: 05/12/2011
