CLAN Cancer Support seeks new volunteers in Shetland
We are appealing for individuals who have a passion for working with people in a supportive, practical and empathetic way to increase its pool of support, shop, fundraising and events volunteers on the islands.
We deliver a range of free services locally, including emotional support and counselling, complementary therapies, craft classes, eat well workshops as well as a monthly lunch hour on the last Thursday of every month at its support and wellbeing centre in Lerwick.
Volunteers have an integral part to play in the success of these services, alongside the shop and numerous events that occur on the islands.
CLAN has been providing free services to anyone affected by cancer for over 30 years and currently enlists the help of over 400 volunteers across the north and north-east of Scotland, giving in excess of 40,000 hours of support to the charity per year.
Despite this, more are still required with all current and potential volunteers able to benefit from having access to support, training and ongoing development opportunities. Regular volunteer support meetings as well as counselling supervision are also available.
Dana Millarkie, CLAN’s Shetland co-ordinator, said: “CLAN is much loved in Shetland and the continued support it receives from the people on the islands is vital to our success.
“As demand for services continues to increase, we’re looking to add to our pool of volunteers and we are keen for individuals to get involved with helping out at our shop, events or giving up their time to become a support volunteer with the charity.
“If anyone could give up anytime at all to the charity, it would be greatly appreciated by so many associated with CLAN.”
Lucy Whiteman, CLAN’s services manager, said: “CLAN’s support volunteers are such a massive part of the charity and ideally, we’re looking for people who could potentially provide a minimum commitment of six months which could be broken down to a few hours every week or second week.
“For the role of support volunteer, we are especially interested in hearing from people with relevant life experience and can demonstrate skills in supporting people affected by illness, either personally or professionally or you may be undergoing a career change, studying, have experience in coaching, health, counselling, arts or group work.
“Also, we are keen to hear from people with energy, a passion for raising awareness and working together to run events and fundraising activities to help sustain CLAN’s valued community services. People who possess any of these attributes are perfect for volunteering and we’d be delighted to speak to you a bit more on how you could get involved.”
CLAN offers support and information five days a week at its support and wellbeing centre at 39 Commercial Road, Lerwick. Those interested in discussing a potential support volunteer role in more detail, please contact CLAN’s Shetland’s area co-ordinator Dana Millarkie on 01595 720320 or email shetland@clanhouse.org
