Activities Volunteer For Older People Volunteer Roles

We are looking for fun, reliable, and enthusiastic volunteer Independent Visitors from all different cultures, backgrounds and experiences who have a genuine interest in making a difference to the lives of children and young people.

Our Staffordshire and Stoke Independent Visitor Service is looking for volunteers in or near to Newcastle-Under-Lyme.

• Are you passionate about wanting to help young people?
• Do you have 2 to 4 hours to spare, once a month?
• Are you ready to make a long-term, regular, commitment?

If the answer is yes and you would like to support a child or young person currently in the care of their local authority, then we would love to hear from you.

You will decide with your young person what to do, but activities could include going to the cinema, bowling, playing football, going to a restaurant, riding a bike, or walking in a park.  We will match you with a child you share common interests with.

You do not need experience of working with children and young people, just an interest in their development and welfare. Full training and support are provided.

Here’s a few of the young people we have waiting for a volunteer:

• Amy (12) lives with an older carer, she would like an active Independent Visitor who can do sports with her.
• Brad (13) lives in residential care with other young people, he doesn’t have anyone in his family visit. He would like an Independent Visitor to take him out and have fun, like the other young people.
• Cassie (16) lives with carers in a new town, she doesn’t have any friends in the area yet. She would like an Independent Visitor to help with her confidence and going out in the local area, she loves hot chocolate and cake.
• Danny (11) lives with foster carers and attends a special school. He would like an Independent Visitor to help him be more independent, he likes parks, aeroplanes, and animals.
• Emma (9) lives with her carer in a very busy household, she would like an Independent Visitor to spend some time with her on her own trying different activities together.  

 *names have been changed
 

The Application

• Volunteering mainly happens at weekends and after school hours as the young people are usually in school during the daytime
• The role requires commitment of at least 24 months with one visit per month; this ensures stability for the Child or Young Person
• Complete the Personal Statement section on the application form as fully as possible; tell us all about you; it forms part of the shortlisting process

Our values are to be Compassionate, Open and Bold.  If this sounds like you, please click the apply button.  Alternatively, if you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please call or email and we will be happy to help.​

What is the purpose of this role?

Panellists will inform and influence the support we offer to older people and help us deliver services that older people need and value.

What impact does this role have?

Our Panellists will help us to shape our services and our strategy. They will support us to make sure that people know about our charity, that our services have a positive impact on the lives of older people, and that we are a valued, local resource for older people to rely on.

What are the responsibilities of the role? 

• To support our charity and its aims and to act as an ambassador for our services and projects and the wider Age UK network.

• To ensure our charity is aware of emerging needs and issues related to older people in the City and County that could influence future planning.

• To represent the wider community of older people and their interests – including topics such as social, health, wealth, and longer-term needs.

• To develop an understanding of customer service within the charity and how it can be improved for older people.

• To maintain a positive commitment to, and active promotion of, Age UK Notts’ Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion policy.

What are we looking for?

• Integrity

• A commitment to the charity

• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort

• Good, independent judgement

• A willingness to speak their mind

• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team

What is the time commitment?

• The charity holds four meetings per year (Including the AGM), with each meeting lasting around 2 hours.There will be a mix of in-person and online meetings.

• In addition, Panellists need to set aside a minimum of 1 hours reading time before each meeting.

• Depending upon agreed actions, Panellists may be asked to dedicate some time to activities within the community, or for the charity outside of the meetings.

• Should exceptional circumstances arise, there may be a need for additional meetings, but this will be a rare occurrence.

• A chair and vice-chair will be elected by the members every 3 years and holders may serve a maximum of 6 years in total in either role.

What training will you be given?

You will be given a basic induction to the Charity and some basic compliance training to allow you to undertake your role.

What can you gain from this opportunity?

This is an opportunity to influence the largest, local charity providing support for older people. It’s a chance to bring your views, experience and knowledge to the table as well as building new relationships and meeting new challenges.

Please note the following key information

• You must be at least 18 years old

• You must agree to be properly appointed by our robust volunteer recruitment process (including references and DBS check).

• The role of a OPAP Panellist is voluntary and is not accompanied by any financial remuneration, although expenses for travel may be claimed

***Please note that we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

Cecil Gardens is a large service containing ninety-nine apartments, close to the city centre of Hull and easily accessible by public transport. The service supports adults with a wide variety of needs including Over 18s, Mental Health needs, Older People, Learning Disabilities and Autism. Our service users live in self-contained apartments and have access to several communal spaces, including a restaurant, a hairdressers and a spa.

We are currently looking for volunteer befrienders at our Cecil Garden service in Hull, if you have a couple of hours to spare and can commit to volunteering on a regular basis, we’d love to hear from you.

Are you a warm and chatty person, who’s also a good listener? We are looking for befrienders who can help someone gain confidence and engage with the local community. Maybe going for walks, trips to a local café, or, supporting somebody to attend their appointments.

Our volunteer befrienders will also encourage people to connect to our internal community here at our service, which includes a wide variety of activity sessions held in several communal spaces on site. As part of our Wellbeing service we are hoping to build a community amongst our Service Users and you will visit service users in their flats and encourage people to join in our activities and take part in events held here.

As a volunteer with Creative Support we offer training for your role, access to a volunteer supervisor, an induction, a monthly volunteer newsletter, and an online volunteer support network group on Zoom.

We are a passionate, inclusive and anti-racist organisation. We embrace diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. As a Disability Confident Employer we welcome applications from people with a disability, and as a proud Stonewall Diversity Champion we actively encourage applications from the LGBT+ community.

At Staying Well we run a Telephone Befriending Scheme.

If you have up to an hour free once a week for 6 months then this could be the volunteer role for you!

This is what the Befriending Network say about befriending:

“Everyone needs other people, but not everyone has someone. 

Befriending offers supportive, reliable relationships through volunteer befrienders to people who would otherwise be socially isolated. Around the UK, there are befriending projects which organise effective support for children and young people, families, people with mental ill-health, people with learning disabilities and older people, amongst many others.

The results of befriending can be very significant. Befriending often provides people with a new direction in life, opens up a range of activities and leads to increased self-esteem and self confidence. Befriending can also reduce the burden on other services which people may use inappropriately as they seek social contact.”

ROLE SUMMARY:

To support artists and the Zest Deal Coordinator in the delivery of creative sessions for people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers.

To work directly with participants with complex needs, enabling them to engage with each session.

ABOUT US:

Bright Shadow’s mission is to enable people living with dementia, and those affected by it, to live well and to thrive. We are experts in creative activities designed specifically for people with dementia to enable self-expression, social interaction and active participation. We do this in a number of ways, including our trademark Zest sessions for people living with dementia in the community.

We offer a range of volunteer opportunities and are particularly looking for someone to work with our Zest group in Deal. This role is a wonderful opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of our participants by enabling those with more complex needs to continue engaging with this close-knit group. 

You will become part of a friendly team offering support and guidance, so your positive attitude is more important to us than specific experience. We offer all volunteers dementia awareness and safeguarding training, as well as requiring an enhanced DBS certificate.

Established in 2009, Bright Shadow is passionate about a brighter quality of care, which is invigorating, mood boosting and enhances relationships. We are adamant that life and fun shouldn’t stop once you reach a certain age or receive a diagnosis of dementia. In all of our work we celebrate the here and now, ensuring that people with dementia enjoy a bright today and a bright tomorrow.

POST REPORTS TO: Project Manager and Zest Deal Coordinator

LOCATION: The Astor Theatre, Stanhope Road, Deal, CT14 6AB 

POSITION TYPE: Volunteer

HOURS REQUIRED: Thursdays 9:45am-12:15pm

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Understanding of or willingness to learn about living with dementia, including completing provided dementia awareness training

2. Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy

3. Enthusiasm to join in with performance and arts activities such as singing, movement and story making wherever possible and assisting participants to engage fully

4. Work closely with Zest Deal Coordinator to deliver a safe and high quality experience

5. Help Zest Deal Coordinator to prepare the room before sessions and clear up at the end where necessary

6. Help Zest Deal Coordinator to prepare refreshments for participants

7. Help the Zest Deal Coordinator with the collection of evaluation information

8. Assist in documenting the sessions using photography, recording and/or film on equipment provided where necessary 

9. Work within all Bright Shadow policies, including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Covid-19, Equality and GDPR compliance. This role is subject to the volunteer having an up to date enhanced DBS check carried out.

Competencies

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy

• Sensitive to people’s needs and the safeguarding of vulnerable adults

• Good initiative and ability to work independently

• To undertake an enhanced DBS check

Desirable

• Previous experience working with older adults

• Experience of working for an arts organisation

• Competent IT skills, including social media

• Knowledge/understanding of dementia

ROLE SUMMARY:

To support artists and the Zest Hythe Coordinator in the delivery of creative sessions for people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers.

To work directly with participants with complex needs, enabling them to engage with each session.

ABOUT US:

Bright Shadow’s mission is to enable people living with dementia, and those affected by it, to live well and to thrive. We are experts in creative activities designed specifically for people with dementia to enable self-expression, social interaction and active participation. We do this in a number of ways, including our trademark Zest sessions for people living with dementia in the community.

We offer a range of volunteer opportunities, and are particularly looking for someone to work with our Zest group in Hythe. This role is a wonderful opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of our participants by enabling those with more complex needs to continue engaging with this close-knit group. 

You will become part of a friendly team offering support and guidance, so your positive attitude is more important to us than specific experience. We offer all volunteers dementia awareness and safeguarding training, as well as requiring an enhanced DBS certificate.

Established in 2009, Bright Shadow is passionate about a brighter quality of care, which is invigorating, mood boosting and enhances relationships. We are adamant that life and fun shouldn’t stop once you reach a certain age or receive a diagnosis of dementia. In all of our work we celebrate the here and now, ensuring that people with dementia enjoy a bright today and a bright tomorrow.

POST REPORTS TO: Project Manager and Zest Hythe Coordinator 

LOCATION: Hythe Sports Pavilion, 2 South Road, Hythe, CT21 6AR

POSITION TYPE: Volunteer

HOURS REQUIRED: Thursdays 1:45-4:15pm

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Understanding of or willingness to learn about living with dementia, including completing provided dementia awareness training

2. Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy

3. Enthusiasm to join in with performance and arts activities such as singing, movement and story making wherever possible and assisting participants to engage fully

4. Work closely with Zest Hythe Coordinator to deliver a safe and high quality experience

5. Help Zest Hythe Coordinator to prepare the room before sessions and clear up at the end where necessary

6. Help Zest Hythe Coordinator to prepare refreshments for participants

7. Help the Zest Hythe Coordinator with the collection of evaluation information

8. Assist in documenting the sessions using photography, recording and/or film on equipment provided where necessary 

9. Work within all Bright Shadow policies, including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Covid-19, Equality and GDPR compliance. This role is subject to the volunteer having an up to date enhanced DBS check carried out.

Competencies

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy

• Sensitive to people’s needs and the safeguarding of vulnerable adults

• Good initiative and ability to work independently

• To undertake an enhanced DBS check

Desirable

• Previous experience working with older adults

• Experience of working for an arts organisation

• Competent IT skills, including social media

• Knowledge/understanding of dementia

ROLE SUMMARY:

• To support artists and the Zest Whitstable Coordinator in the delivery of creative sessions for people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers.
• To work directly with participants with complex needs, enabling them to engage with each session.

ABOUT US:

Bright Shadow’s mission is to enable people living with dementia, and those affected by it, to live well and to thrive. We are experts in creative activities designed specifically for people with dementia to enable self-expression, social interaction and active participation. We do this in a number of ways, including our trademark Zest sessions for people living with dementia in the community.

We offer a range of volunteer opportunities, and are particularly looking for someone to work with our Zest group in Whitstable. This role is a wonderful opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of our participants by enabling those with more complex needs to continue engaging with this close-knit group. 

You will become part of a friendly team offering support and guidance, so your positive attitude is more important to us than specific experience. We offer all volunteers dementia awareness and safeguarding training, as well as requiring an enhanced DBS certificate.

Established in 2009, Bright Shadow is passionate about a brighter quality of care, which is invigorating, mood boosting and enhances relationships. We are adamant that life and fun shouldn’t stop once you reach a certain age or receive a diagnosis of dementia. In all of our work we celebrate the here and now, ensuring that people with dementia enjoy a bright today and a bright tomorrow.

POST REPORTS TO: Project & Admin Coordinator and Zest Whitstable Coordinator 

LOCATION: Whitstable Umbrella Centre, Oxford Street, Whitstable, CT5 1DD

POSITION TYPE: Volunteer

HOURS REQUIRED: Tuesdays 1:45-4:15pm

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Understanding of or willingness to learn about living with dementia, including completing provided dementia awareness training

2. Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy

3. Enthusiasm to join in with performance and arts activities such as singing, movement and story making wherever possible and assisting participants to engage fully

4. Work closely with Zest Whitstable Coordinator to deliver a safe and high quality experience

5. Help Zest Whitstable Coordinator to prepare the room before sessions and clear up at the end where necessary

6. Help Zest Whitstable Coordinator to prepare refreshments for participants

7. Help the Zest Whitstable Coordinator with the collection of evaluation information 

8. Assist in documenting the sessions using photography, recording and/or film on equipment provided where necessary 

9. Work within all Bright Shadow policies, including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Covid-19, Equality and GDPR compliance. This role is subject to the volunteer having an up to date enhanced DBS check carried out.

Person Specification

Zest Communities Session Volunteer

The person specification states the knowledge; skills and experience helpful in volunteering with us and is used for both short-listing volunteers for informal interview and to identify the areas to explore in this interview. 

Competencies

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy

• Sensitive to people’s needs and the safeguarding of vulnerable adults

• Good initiative and ability to work independently

• To undertake an enhanced DBS check

Desirable

• Previous experience working with older adults

• Experience of working for an arts organisation

• Competent IT skills, including social media

• Knowledge/understanding of dementia

This role helps the shop to run efficiently and effectively, and to sell products for Age UK Notts, which in turn, generates funds to allow Age UK Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to continue to run effective services.

What activities might you be involved in?

Front of shop

• Engaging with our customers, in a friendly and welcoming way.

• Ensuring customers experience excellent customer service

• Maintaining the look of the shop displays so that customers have a positive shopping experience.

• Restocking shelves and rails as and when needed

• Maintaining a tidy clean and safe shopping / working environment

• Taking and processing payments from customers (including card payments following appropriate training)

• Accepting donations from supporters that visit the shop and encouraging those who are tax payers to sign up to Gift Aid in order to generate a further 25p in every £1 for the Charity.

Back Shop

• Accepting donations and ensuring that donations that have been Gift Aided are separated and clearly labelled with the correct Gift Aid number

• Sorting through donations to identify:

➢ items that can be sold in the shop,

➢ items that can be ragged or sold as scrap and

➢ items of higher value that need to be sold on elsewhere

• Labelling all saleable items with price tags and if appropriate Gift Aid numbers

• Steaming items of clothing and placing on appropriate hanger in preparation for sale

• Maintaining a clean, tidy and safe working environment.

• Use of the internet to share shop stock on Social Media.

• Volunteering in line with the Charity’s policies and procedures and adhering to the Volunteer Code of Conduct.

This is for anybody who is interested in working in a charity retail environment.

Our shop is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10am until 4pm and we are looking for volunteers who can commit to at least one morning or afternoon per week

As part of the recruitment process, there will also be an interview, references and a basic DBS check.

***Please note that we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

About CARAS: 

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic well-being of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for young people currently include ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), study groups, youth clubs, sports trips and football.

Volunteering With CARAS – Our Community of Welcome

CARAS has a proud history of volunteers helping us deliver our charitable aims. Volunteers are an essential part of the CARAS community, bringing skills, insights, experience, different languages, and enthusiasm to the roles.

Community members tell us that welcome by volunteers is so important in an often hostile world. It helps them feel safe and wanted. Community is at the heart of all we do, and we could not deliver the projects we do without the enormous contribution volunteers bring. Thank you for taking the time to consider volunteering with us.

About Sports Programme:

We work in partnership with Fulham Kicks to run a football session every Monday evening. We provide 1:1 sports advice to help build confidence and remove barriers by supporting young people to plan their journeys and accompanying them to join their first sessions. We find new activities and memberships for young people at youth clubs, gyms and other sports providers. We arrange frequent trips to offer sports to our young people including boxing, yoga, trampolining and hopefully go-karting.

To advance and continue this work we have an exciting new element to the project. The research project will detail: (1) the accessibility barriers faced by young people, (2) methods of best practice for including young refugees and asylum seekers, (3) funding and support options available from local authorities, and (4) what participatory 1:1 support looks like for young people.

About the role: 

As a Sports research volunteer, you will work with four young people hired as peer researchers to co-design and deliver a research project to sports providers, local authorities, support networks and other young people. The aim here is to help to remove barriers that young refugees and asylum seekers face in accessing the sports they enjoy. You can do this remotely, researching sports providers and finding sessions for our young people to attend. You will also take part in in-person workshops looking at young refugees and asylum seekers’ experiences in accessing sports in London. You will work with the young people to design questionnaires and deliver the results to local authorities and sports providers. You may need to help young people to travel safely around London and to feel welcome in the city. We would love you to join in with activities where possible and if you would like to.

We ask for a commitment of at least 2-3 hours per month in your own time, and to attend workshops over the Summer for the research project.

Tasks and responsibilities: 

· To attend research workshops and assist staff in facilitating them.

· To support young people in their co-design of the project

· To act as a positive role model and set standards of behaviour when volunteering with young people.

· To participate in research in an independent, open-minded and fair way.

· To encourage and inspire young people to reach their full potential.

· To assist young people to both recognise and celebrate their achievements.

· To challenge young people’s negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manner.

· To adhere to CARAS Child Protection procedures, Confidentiality Policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant.

Requirements: 

To be 18 years or older;

· To have access to your own IT device and to be comfortable using Google Search and Microsoft Office.

· To be able to work both from home and at CARAS

· To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds;

· To be reliable and punctual;

· Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English;

· Current resident of the UK;

· Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check;

· Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to the start of the role:

Volunteer induction training currently takes place online once a month on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6 pm – 8 pm. we offer the same training on Tuesday and Wednesday daytimes online between 12 noon – 2 pm once every 3 months.

Your availability to attend 1 general and 1 safeguarding online training session at these times within 3 months of your application would be a prerequisite for being accepted as a volunteer at CARAS.

Desirable: 

· Knowledge of community languages, such as (including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish).

· Some experience in designing/ using questionnaires and surveys to inform services or activities

· To be confident in advocating for young people and explaining their life experiences to local authorities and sports providers.

Through volunteering with us you will:

· Meet new members of your local community;

· Learn about different cultures;

· Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum;

· Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team;

· Develop your skills and competencies;

· Be able to access relevant training;

About CARAS:  

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a charity that supports refugees and people seeking asylum who live in south London. We offer a range of individual and group support to improve the holistic wellbeing of people who have a background of forced migration, providing them with tools to build lives filled with value, meaning and purpose in the UK. Our activities for young people currently include: ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages), study group, youth club, swimming lessons and football.  

About Youth Club:  

Youth Club is a place for young people aged 14-19 to come and play games, learn new skills, make and strengthen friendships and build a sense of belonging. Regular activities include classic youth club games such as table tennis, pool, foosball, board and card games.

Youth club takes place at Tooting Hub- Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7BU. 

About Sports Programme: 

We work in partnership with Fulham Kicks to run a football session every Monday. We provide 1:1 sports advice to help build confidence and remove barriers by supporting young people to plan their journeys and accompanying them to join their first sessions. We find new sessions for young people at youth clubs, gyms and other sports providers. We arrange frequent trips to offer new sports to our young people including: boxing, yoga, trampolining and hopefully to go-karting.

We will also deliver a research project to sports providers, local authorities, support networks and other young people.  The project will detail: (1) the accessibility barriers to sports faced by young people, (2) methods of best practice on including young refugees and asylum seekers, (3) funding and support options available from local authorities, and (4) what participatory 1:1 support looks like for young people. 

About the role:  

As a sports program volunteer, you would be helping young people to travel safely around London, to feel welcome in the city, to join in with sports activities where possible and to inspire young people to take part in sports. You will need to go on group trips to external sports providers and to attend our youth club occasionally. We welcome volunteers with any level of sporting ability, the only thing necessary is to be willing to give some sports a go when it is possible. Please note, some sessions you attend will be only for under 18’s, and so you will not always be allowed to take part, and then your role will only be to accompany. We are very happy to be flexible regarding which sessions you attend according to your interests.

We ask for a commitment of at least 1-2 sports sessions or youth club evenings every month. Our youth club runs every Wednesday from 6.00-8.00pm, the external sports trips will usually be weekday evenings. We are able to be flexible according to your schedule.

Tasks and responsibilities:  

• To attend and contribute to volunteer de-briefs which occur after each session/trip. 
• Providing feedback of your experience to contribute to the research project.
• To act as a positive role model and set standards of behaviour when volunteering with young people. 
• To encourage and inspire young people to reach their full potential. 
• To assist young people to both recognise and celebrate their achievements. 
• To challenge young peoples’ negative attitudes and behaviour in an appropriate manner. 
• To adhere to CARAS Child Protection procedures, Confidentiality policy, Health & Safety policy, Equal Opportunities policy and all other policies as relevant. 
• To occasionally research local sports providers to find sessions for our young people.

Requirements: 

Essential: 

To be 18 years or older;  

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse cultural backgrounds; 
• To be reliable and punctual; 
• Excellent communication skills, especially with people with varying levels of English; 
• To be passionate about sports and helping young people to access sports.
• Current resident of the UK; 
• Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; 
• Able to attend compulsory volunteer induction training (online) general and safeguarding prior to the start of role 

Volunteer induction training currently takes place online once a month on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6pm – 8pm. we offer the same trainings on Tuesday and Wednesday daytimes online between 12noon – 2pm once every 3 months.  

Your availability to attend 1 general and 1 safeguarding online training session at these times within 3 months of your application would be a prerequisite of being accepted as a volunteer at CARAS.  

Desirable:  

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali and Spanish. 

Through volunteering with us you will:  

• Meet new members of your local community; 
• Learn about different cultures; 
• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum and their ability to access sports in London; 
• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 
• Develop your skills and competencies; 
• Be able to access relevant training; 

ROLE SUMMARY:

To support artists and the Zest Medway Coordinator in the delivery of creative sessions for people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers.

To work directly with participants with complex needs, enabling them to engage with each session.

ABOUT US:

Bright Shadow’s mission is to enable people living with dementia, and those affected by it, to live well and to thrive. We are experts in creative activities designed specifically for people with dementia to enable self-expression, social interaction and active participation. We do this in a number of ways, including our trademark Zest sessions for people living with dementia in the community.

We offer a range of volunteer opportunities, and are particularly looking for someone to work with our Zest group in Medway, which is launching in April 2024. This role is a wonderful opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of our participants by enabling those with more complex needs to engage with this group. Our Medway Zest group is one of four Zest groups that meet; Deal, Hythe and Whitstable are already established groups who have been running for many years.

You will become part of a friendly team offering support and guidance, so your positive attitude is more important to us than specific experience. We offer all volunteers dementia awareness and safeguarding training, as well as requiring an enhanced DBS certificate.

Established in 2009, Bright Shadow is passionate about a brighter quality of care, which is invigorating, mood boosting and enhances relationships. We are adamant that life and fun shouldn’t stop once you reach a certain age or receive a diagnosis of dementia. In all of our work we celebrate the here and now, ensuring that people with dementia enjoy a bright today and a bright tomorrow.

POST REPORTS TO: Volunteer Coordinator and Zest Medway Coordinator 

LOCATION: Sunlight Centre, Richmond Road, Gillingham, ME7 1LX 

POSITION TYPE: Volunteer

HOURS REQUIRED: Tuesdays 9:45am - 12:15pm. We are equally looking for those who can commit on a regular basis, as well as those who would want to offer their time on a fixed basis (such as one month, 6 weeks etc).

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Understanding of or willingness to learn about living with dementia, including completing provided dementia awareness training

2. Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy

3. Enthusiasm to join in with performance and arts activities such as singing, movement and story making wherever possible and assisting participants to engage fully

4. Work closely with Zest Medway Coordinator to deliver a safe and high quality experience

5. Help Zest Medway Coordinator to prepare the room before sessions and clear up at the end where necessary

6. Help Zest Medway Coordinator to prepare refreshments for participants

7. Help the Zest Medway Coordinator with the collection of evaluation information 

8. Assist in documenting the sessions using photography, recording and/or film on equipment provided where necessary 

9. Work within all Bright Shadow policies, including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Covid-19, Equality and GDPR compliance. This role is subject to the volunteer having an up to date enhanced DBS check carried out.

Competencies

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills and empathy

• Sensitive to people’s needs and the safeguarding of vulnerable adults

• Good initiative and ability to work independently

• To undertake an enhanced DBS check

Desirable

• Previous experience working with older adults

• Experience of working for an arts organisation

• Competent IT skills, including social media

• Knowledge/understanding of dementia

At MHA Communities Kent we support older people to live independently in their own homes and communities. We offer a variety of social activities and services for people aged 55 and over. Our social groups are based at MHA Grace Court. The aim of our social groups is to help improve the quality of life for older people who may be socially isolated.

Main tasks:

• To support our members with activities ensuring they can get as much enjoyment out of an activity as possible
• Serve refreshments
• Help prepare activities
• General tidying
• Opportunities to run activities are available

What skills and qualities are needed:

• Aged 16 and over
• Good people skills
• Enthusiasm
• Patience, empathy, and understanding of the needs of older people
• Reliable and punctual

Benefits for you:

• Help improve the quality of life for older people
• Support your community
• Keep socially active
• Gain new skills
• Gain experience in health and social care

Times and Commitment:

• Tuesdays and Fridays from 12.30pm-3.45pm
• We’re looking to expand our groups to run from Monday to Friday
• We ask you to be able to commit on a regular basis
• We ask that you make a minimum of six months commitment to this role

Training and support:

• We will provide you with a full induction for the role
• Training on safeguarding, health and safety and other training and updating of skills and knowledge relevant to the role as appropriate
• Ongoing support from a named contact
• Out of pocket expenses in accordance with MHA’s Expenses Policy

*Please note- we can only accept applications from volunteers who currently live in the UK

Main Purpose of role: Assist with the weekly Hearing voices group  

Key Tasks:  

To support the facilitation of groups for individuals who experience auditory and other hallucinations. This will involve delivering creative, engaging and inclusive group and activity support work that encourages and enables people to improve/maintain their mental wellbeing. 

·      To support service-users in accessing the group support offer. 

·      To encourage peer support within the group. 

·      To adhere to our inclusive way of working and support a diverse group of individuals. This will include supporting younger and older adults.  

·      To enable service-users to have access to information and signposting to other areas of support. 

·      To engage fully with the values and community of Mind in Somerset. 

·      To attend regular one-to-one supervision with your line manager. 

• To work in an inclusive and culturally sensitive way for all service-users; being responsive to individual needs and challenging stigma and discrimination. 

• To take prompt and appropriate action in a safeguarding situation. To clearly record all information and actions taken and to escalate to the Group Facilitator and Safeguarding Lead as per procedure. 

• To follow Health & Safety and Security procedures. 

• To cover leave and absences where required. 

Person Specification    

  Essential:  

• Positive team-working skills  

• Flexible approach   

• Willingness to learn (including independently) to extend their knowledge  

• Understanding of the need for good record keeping and GDPR  

• Good non judgmental listening skills  

• Experience working with people in mental health

Role: Mendip Hearing Voices Volunteer

Location: Shepton Mallet

Hours required: 2hours weekly + 1hr supervision monthly

Main Purpose of role: Assist with the weekly Hearing voices group

 Key Tasks:

To support the facilitation of groups for individuals who experience auditory and other hallucinations. This will involve delivering creative, engaging and inclusive group and activity support work that encourages and enables people to improve/maintain their mental wellbeing.

·To support service-users in accessing the group support offer.

·To encourage peer support within the group.

·To adhere to our inclusive way of working and support a diverse group of individuals. This will include supporting younger and older adults. 

·To enable service-users to have access to information and signposting to other areas of support.

·To engage fully with the values and community of Mind in Somerset.

·To attend regular one-to-one supervision with your line manager.

• To work in an inclusive and culturally sensitive way for all service-users; being responsive to individual needs and challenging stigma and discrimination.
• To take prompt and appropriate action in a safeguarding situation. To clearly record all information and actions taken and to escalate to the Group Facilitator and Safeguarding Lead as per procedure.
• To follow Health & Safety and Security procedures.
• To cover leave and absences where required.

Person Specification   

Essential: 

• Positive team-working skills 
• Flexible approach
• Willingness to learn (including independently) to extend their knowledge 
• Understanding of the need for good record keeping and GDPR 
• Good non judgmental listening skills 
• Experience working with people in mental health