Marie Curie volunteers care for terminally ill patients

Terminally ill patients have been receiving support for one year thanks to a scheme run by a cancer charity.

The Marie Curie Helper service was launched last year to provide one-to-one care and support to people suffering from terminal illnesses, as well as their families.

Volunteers were given training and visit the homes of patients in east London for three hours each week, providing respite for carers and emotional and practical support.

Patricia Alexander has been receiving care from dedicated volunteer Christine since she was matched with her in March last year.

“I feel if I need any help I’ve only got to ask”, she said. “She is someone to talk to and my best friend. I can speak to her about subjects that my family find very difficult to talk about without it being emotional.”

The volunteers have devoted more than 400 hours to caring for patients across east London in the past year alone.