Marie Curie helper scheme needs you

Marie Curie Helper is a free service that provides trained volunteers who are matched with a person living with any terminal illness to give them and their loved ones companionship and emotional support.

Volunteers give around three hours a week of their time to offer a friendly ear, engage in supportive conversation, provide information about local services and enables carers and family members to have a break for a few hours. The service offers essential company, helping to reduce isolation and loneliness. Where possible, Helper volunteers can assist people to make short trips into the local community too.

While the Marie Curie Helper service has previously been available in other parts of the UK, and is being brought to Calderdale after its successful development in Bradford.

Andrew Oldham, Marie Curie Helper service manager, said: “We are regularly told that a befriending service like this is so important, especially for people living with a terminal illness who may feel particularly isolated. Volunteers visit weekly for up to three hours, enabling carers to have a short break. The support we’ve had already in Calderdale is great.”