Could you help someone affected by cancer feel heard, supported and more confident accessing care?
We are looking for Volunteer Community Cancer Navigators to provide practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer in Rochdale.
Our project focuses on ethnically diverse, migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking communities who may face cultural, language or other barriers to healthcare.
By listening, building trust and helping people find the right support, you can make a difference at a difficult time.
Key information
- Start Date: 28th October 2026
- End Date: 13th November 2026
- Volunteer: Weekly
- Availability: Monday AM, Monday PM, Tuesday AM, Tuesday PM, Wednesday PM, Wednesday Evening, Thursday AM, Thursday PM, Friday AM, Friday PM
- Tasks: Depending on the person’s needs and activities agreed with the project team, you will:
1. Offer sensitive one-to-one support, respecting each person’s culture, faith, circumstances and choices.
2. Help people prepare questions for appointments and share their concerns and preferences with health professionals.
3. Accompany people to appointments where appropriate, with their consent and agreement from Caring and Sharing.
4. Help people understand where to find support, using approved information and signposting to NHS, Macmillan, hospice and community services.
5. Identify language and accessibility needs and help people request appropriate support, including professional interpreters.
6. Support peer groups and community awareness activities where agreed.
7. Keep brief, accurate records, maintain confidentiality and report safeguarding concerns through our procedures.
Who are we looking for?
We would like to hear from people who:
1. Are empathetic, patient, reliable and able to listen without judgement.
2. Understand local communities and the barriers people can face when accessing healthcare.
3. Can communicate in English and a relevant community language.
4. Respect confidentiality, personal choice and the boundaries of the volunteer role.
5. Are willing to attend training and regular supervision.
6. Lived experience of cancer, caring for someone or navigating barriers to healthcare is welcomed. You do not need a clinical qualification. - Training: Caring and Sharing will provide an induction, relevant training, regular supervision and wellbeing check-ins.
You will be supported by the Project Coordinator or a designated supervisor.
This is a non-clinical role. Volunteers do not diagnose, recommend treatment, provide counselling or make care decisions. Bilingual support does not replace professional clinical interpreting.
- Interests: Community, Health and safety, Health and wellbeing, Hospices, Hospitals, Immigrants, Older people, Social care, Social Welfare
- Activities: Befriending, Escorting, Lending a helping hand, Research, Support Work, Translation
- Skills: Listening
- DBS Check: No
- Are Volunteer Expenses Reimbursed? Yes
1. Offer sensitive one-to-one support, respecting each person’s culture, faith, circumstances and choices.
2. Help people prepare questions for appointments and share their concerns and preferences with health professionals.
3. Accompany people to appointments where appropriate, with their consent and agreement from Caring and Sharing.
4. Help people understand where to find support, using approved information and signposting to NHS, Macmillan, hospice and community services.
5. Identify language and accessibility needs and help people request appropriate support, including professional interpreters.
6. Support peer groups and community awareness activities where agreed.
7. Keep brief, accurate records, maintain confidentiality and report safeguarding concerns through our procedures.
Who are we looking for?
We would like to hear from people who:
1. Are empathetic, patient, reliable and able to listen without judgement.
2. Understand local communities and the barriers people can face when accessing healthcare.
3. Can communicate in English and a relevant community language.
4. Respect confidentiality, personal choice and the boundaries of the volunteer role.
5. Are willing to attend training and regular supervision.
6. Lived experience of cancer, caring for someone or navigating barriers to healthcare is welcomed. You do not need a clinical qualification.
You will be supported by the Project Coordinator or a designated supervisor.
This is a non-clinical role. Volunteers do not diagnose, recommend treatment, provide counselling or make care decisions. Bilingual support does not replace professional clinical interpreting.