“Being a Marie Curie Helper volunteer has enriched my life”

 A volunteer, who has provided companionship to a woman living with a terminal illness for almost a year, is encouraging others to sign up to the service this Volunteers’ Week. 

Zehra Dani signed up to become a Marie Curie Helper volunteer after seeing the roles during an online search. 

A year later, she says the role has enriched her life – and encourages others to sign up to give their time for the service, which sees volunteers provide company and companionship to those living with terminal illness, providing support to their families at a crucial time.

The support provided can range from simply providing companionship and someone to have a chat with, taking the individual out shopping or to a garden centre for tea and cake.

Helper volunteers can provide practical help, such as taking someone to an appointment, but are not expected to help with nursing, personal care or domestic needs.

The service is currently available in Cardiff and the Vale and the Llantrisant  Talbot Green and Pontypridd areas and will continue to grow in the upcoming year.

Zehra, aged 33, from Cardiff, said: “For me personally, it was very important that I did have some sort of volunteer role. I do feel a person should give back to the community they live in and if all of us did give back it would benefit society.  

“Because I’m in a different role now having not long had a child, I thought that while being a parent I could give back to my community in a positive way.”

The mum-of-one sees the individual she supports once a week, usually for around an hour, though volunteers can give two to three hours of their time each week – it all depends on individual circumstance. 

“It’s not a lot of time really, it doesn’t feel like anything.  It’s not taxing on my time and it’s so rewarding,” she said. 

“That sounds really cliché, that it’s so rewarding, but it really is. 

“Over time, the relationship builds up so well; you get to know the individual you support, that’s the key.  

“We have a cup of tea and a chat, there isn’t any pressure to talk about anything and I’m happy to be quiet when she’s quiet.”

 Zehra provides support during the evening and says the matching service provided by Jo Parry, Helper Service Manager, means she can fit volunteering around her lifestyle. 

“If it was in the day, it wouldn’t work for me. I’ve got too many commitments, but because it’s in the evening it works well for me. It has also clicked with the individual too, we get on really well. It’s really nice.” 

Volunteers and individuals are paired up through a variety of criteria, including location, time and personality. 

Full training is given to volunteers, including on data protection and how to report any safeguarding issues.

 Talking about how the role has made a difference to her life, Zehra added:  “It’s enriched my life.

“I know a person and a family now through volunteering, which I probably never would have known before. I chat about general things while she talks to me about things that are meaningful.

“Given the differences due to our backgrounds, in normal circumstances I would never have met her.  There’s no way of having that connection and I think a lot of the volunteers feel the same. 

“The family appreciate it.  I didn’t know it would make such a difference to the family until they actually said it.” 

Would you like to volunteer for Marie Curie? The charity has a variety of roles available.  Visit mariecurie.org.uk/volunteering to find out more. 

If you would like to find out more about the Helper service, contact Jo Parry on 0800 304 7407 southwaleshelper@mariecurie.org.uk