Moving Forward volunteer

We understand that a person’s need for support doesn’t end when treatment finishes. Our Moving Forward services and information are for anyone living with and beyond breast cancer, helping them approach life after treatment with increased confidence.

Our Moving Forward courses usually take place over two consecutive weeks and are delivered by a Moving Forward Facilitator, in partnership with NHS hospitals and are supported by on demand online resources.

We aim to have 2 volunteers on each Moving Forward course, who are there to welcome participants and support the facilitator. You'll move around small groups to support discussions, contribute your own insights when appropriate, and offer emotional support if participants become upset.

You will be supporting a Moving Forward Facilitator at the course. Typical tasks may include:

• Liaise with Moving Forward Facilitator, to establish shared responsibilities
• Help to set up and clear away at the beginning and end of the course. This includes signage, but will not require any heavy lifting
• Welcome participants on arrival
• Circulating around small groups during the course to support participants’ discussions
• Actively listening during group discussions and proactively contributing with your own insights, when appropriate
• Offering emotional support to participants if they become upset or need to take a break

• To have had a personal diagnosis of primary breast cancer. We suggest that you are at least 6 months past the finish of active (hospital-based) treatment when applying, as we want to make sure this is the right time for you to be providing support for others
• Understanding and empathy for the issues faced by people with a breast cancer diagnosis.
• To be a confident and skilled communicator, a good active listener with a non-judgemental and non-directive attitude and approach
• A commitment to working within Breast Cancer Now’s policies and guidelines including respect for client confidentiality and equal opportunities

• Volunteers new to Breast Cancer Now will attend a 2-hour online Welcome Workshop, plus receive support and guidance documents, and all volunteers will attend 2 half-day role specific training in advance of becoming a volunteer.
• A named contact within Breast Cancer Now.
• Refund of reasonable travel expenses in accordance with our expenses policy

We're currently looking for volunteers in the following locations: Aberdeen, Aberystwyth, Barnstaple, Barrow-in-Furness, Boston, Colchester/Ipswich, Dorchester, Edinburgh, Exeter, Fife, Hull, Kings Lynn, Lancaster, Lincoln, Macclesfield, Norwich, Peterborough, Romford, Salisbury, South East London (Kings College), Shrewsbury and Telford, Swindon, Taunton, Truro, Oxford and Wolverhampton.

If we're not currently recruiting volunteers near you please register your interest by filling in a registration form, mentioning Moving Forward. We'll then be in touch if we're looking for new volunteers in your area. 

You would need to be available for 1 to 2 days per month.