Our Macmillan Buddy service provides a lifeline for people with cancer, offering them weekly support from someone who understands what they’re going through.

The service is delivered by volunteers, who undergo comprehensive training and are fully supported by our staff and lead volunteers.

The Macmillan Buddy service currently offers support in two formats:

• Telephone Buddying – This involves providing company, a listening ear and occasional advice such as signposting towards other Macmillan services

• Community Buddying – This is where the volunteer visits the service user face-to-face in the local community, usually the service user’s home. This can also include offering support with simple practical tasks around the home.

In each case, support is usually provided weekly and for a period of up to 12 weeks.

• Good listener and clear communicator
• Patient, flexible and reliable
• Ability to respect others’ differences and choices
• Ability to demonstrate empathy and understanding while maintaining boundaries
• Ability to recognise when to ask for support
• Ability to work independently with guidance and support
• Understand the need to maintain confidentiality
• Good IT skills in order to access required systems and resources
•  Ability to commit time for initial online training