MARIE Curie is looking for new volunteers to be part of the charity’s Helper Service, which has been running in Somerset for five years.

The service provides companionship and support to people living with a terminal illness in the county by matching them based on their background and interests with a trained volunteer.

Helper volunteers visit people in their homes, offering companionship and support for up to three hours each week.

The role involves helping with activities such as reading, making short trips to the shops, providing information on local services or just being there to listen and provide a friendly ear.

Training is being held from August to October, when new volunteers will attend two full day training sessions. The dates of the training sessions are August 16 and 17, September 14 and 15, and October 10 and 11.

To find out more about becoming a Marie Curie Helper email somersethelper@

mariecurie.org.uk or call 0800 3047 400 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

For more information about the Marie Curie Helper Service visit www.marie

curie.org.uk/helper