A CHARVIL charity is calling for volunteers to join its growing team of therapists
My Cancer My Choices (MCMC) needs people willing to donate a few hours a week of their time to provide therapy sessions for people living with cancer.
Volunteer applicants should be qualified in acupuncture, oncology massage, scar tissue massage, reflexology, mindfulness, tai chi, yoga, or Pilates.
The charity would like to hear from compassionate and caring therapists, especially those trained in acupuncture, reflexology, and oncology massage.
Volunteer Anne Thomas said: “I had the privilege of joining MCMC in 2017 as an oncology massage therapist and reflexologist.
“The charity enabled me to fulfil a promise to my dad, who was treated for multiple myeloma.
“I’d been qualified for some time but wasn’t sure I would have the resilience to work with people with cancer.
“During my interview I was asked what the charity could do for me – I said they could give me hug whenever I needed it, and they’ve been doing that ever since.”
Therapies are offered to service users from Monday to Thursday, at the My Cancer My Choices headquarters in Reading, Bracknell Healthspace, The Deanwood Therapy Centre Newbury, and the Chinese Centre for Integrated Medicing in Reading.
Relevant qualifications, and excellent communication skills are essential.
Therapists applying to join the team should be empathetic, trustworthy, reliable and flexible, able to maintain boundaries and confidentiality, confident to flag concerns, and willing to learn.
Certificates, CV, insurance and references will be required, and therapists must be legally eligible to volunteer in the UK.
Mandatory training will be given and support will be provided to successful applicants.
Anne explained: “I’ve been supported by MCMC to learn new techniques in reflexology and oncology massage.
“Ongoing training from them and the oncology teams at Royal Berkshire Hospital has ensured I keep up to date with knowledge and understanding.”
A representative of MCMC said: “This is a fabulous community of like-minded, supportive therapists.
“New team members are likely to leave each therapy session they volunteer with a warm glow and real sense of pride, knowing they have positively impacted the lives of people living with cancer.”
For information, and to apply, visit: mycancermychoices.org
