A LEADING CANCER SUPPORT CHARITY is appealing to those who wish to pursue a fresh challenge in 2017 as it looks to increase its pool of volunteers within Moray.
CLAN Cancer Support offers support and information five days a week from its drop-in centre in Elgin – there are also once a week drop-in services available in both Lossiemouth and Buckie.
A big part of the charity’s success in Moray has been its volunteers and the charity is now looking to bolster its number of support, fundraising events and driver volunteers within the region.
Support volunteers currently help a wide range of people affected by cancer, including clients, carers and other family members, by offering a listening ear or by working alongside them to address support or wellbeing concerns. They also have an important role in helping signpost them to other services provided by the charity.
Volunteer help is also required for a number of the charity’s fundraising events that are held throughout the region, with positions also open for volunteer drivers which offer transport for clients to both the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
All CLAN volunteers have access to support, full training and on-going development opportunities, with volunteer support meetings as well as counselling supervision regularly available.
Tracy Sellar, CLAN’s Area Co-Ordinator for Moray said: “CLAN’s volunteers have always been integral to the success of the charity as a whole and with the start of the New Year now passed, we’re looking to add to our pool across the various areas that the charity operates within.
“In Elgin specifically, there are various openings for support, fundraising and driver volunteers and we’re looking to speak to those interested in giving up some of their spare time to get involved with CLAN in Moray.
“Perhaps you are currently between jobs or have experience in arts, group work or even counselling; we’re keen to hear from anyone who thinks they may have skills that are transferable to the charity.”
One such volunteer who has already put her name forward to help CLAN is Moray woman Angela Phillips. Angela trained to become a support volunteer with the charity in 2014 and has been a part of its growth in Elgin, volunteering from its base on the town’s High Street. Providing a range of listening support and advice to clients, she’s found the role to be a rewarding one.
Angela said: “I first heard about volunteering opportunities at CLAN through a friend and I immediately thought it would be something that I would like to do. I contacted the charity, started my training and really haven’t looked back since.
To be able to give someone comfort and support is incredibly important and I enjoy seeing the difference that just talking and listening can have on an individual.”
If you are interested in volunteering for CLAN please contact Tracy Sellar 01343 544132 or visit www.clanhouse.org.