Marie Curie, the UK's leading charity for people with a terminal illness, is recruiting volunteers across Great Yarmouth and Waveney to their new helper service.

The service matches trained volunteers to people living with a terminal illness, so they can provide companionship and emotional support to individuals and their families.

Volunteers give around three hours a week of their time to offer a listening ear, help with small tasks or getting to an appointment, or just to have a chat over a cup of tea. The service can also offer a short break for carers.

A helper volunteer from Norwich said: 'I wanted to become involved with the helper service after caring for a family member with a terminal illness. Many families have described my visits as the highlight of their week, whether that be a walk in the park or a chat over coffee.

'The service provides an excellent opportunity to support people at a difficult time in their lives and I feel extremely privileged to be a Helper volunteer. I leave my visit each week feeling immense pride, knowing that I have made a difference.'

Norfolk and Suffolk helper service manager at Marie Curie, Victoria Morris, said: 'We are regularly told that a service like helper is so important, especially for people living with a terminal illness who may feel particularly isolated.

'The feedback from families we already support has been extremely positive. Following the success of the service in other areas in the region, we are hoping to recruit some fantastic new volunteers to enable more people in the area to be matched with a helper.'

Marie Curie is hoping to recruit volunteers who could support people in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, and anyone interested will receive full training.

Marie Curie employs more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, and with its nine hospices around the UK, is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS.

To apply to become a volunteer with the helper service, contact Victoria Morris or Hannah Rogers at norfolkandsuffolkhelper@mariecurie.org.uk or call 0800 304 7410.

For more information visit www.mariecurie.org.uk