Most people with cancer will tell you
they experienced their greatest fear and concern during that
initial time from first awareness of a potential problem
through entry into treatment. A “gap” in support,
information and resources for those facing these weeks of
uncertainty adds to an already fearful experience.
Fill the Gap, Inc., a
telephone helpline staffed by caring and compassionate
trained survivor volunteers, was created to assist our
friends and neighbors in the ME and NH seacoast area who are
experiencing these fears. In collaboration with Maine and
New Hampshire seacoast hospitals, our helpline provides
compassionate listening by those sharing common experiences
while providing timely information.
We are looking for breast cancer
survivors from our seacoast area interested in giving back
to their community.
As a Fill the Gap telephone help line
volunteer peer counselor, you will have an opportunity to
contribute something of value to anyone facing a potential
or actual cancer diagnosis. You will listen to callers’
concerns and help them identify their emotional and
informational needs. In addition to offering peer support,
you will refer callers to a number of appropriate resources
that will address their needs. This can be done from the
comfort of your own home, using your own phone that connects
to our toll free number and at a time that you choose.
Fill the Gap telephone help line training will help you
understand your role as a peer counselor, introduce you to
the skills and techniques you will be using in your
conversations with help line callers, and provide basic
information on resources. - to top -
All FTG peer counselors will be cancer survivors having
completed their own active treatment.
- Application
- Volunteers will submit an application to the
Executive Director (ED) with a recommendation from a
healthcare practitioner and 2 additional references.
- Training
- All volunteers will receive training.
Completion of initial training and certification
will be required prior to any caller contact.
- Continuing education will be offered
periodically to update information and teach new
skills.
- Re-certification is to be done annually.
- Supervision and Support
- The Executive Director (ED) and Volunteer
Coordinator (VC) provide supervision and support.
The ED and VC are the direct supervisors of all the
volunteers. If you encounter any problems, you
should contact the ED/VC immediately. The ED/VC are
not only available to supervise, but also to support
our volunteers.
If you are interested in this opportunity to become a Fill
the Gap telephone helpline volunteer, please complete the
online Volunteer Peer Counselor application.
Together we can “Fill the Gap” with compassion, experience
and information.
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