Elderly volunteer roles

Background to the role:

Keep Active is a volunteer-delivered project at The Creighton Centre, which aims to provide support to older people (60+) who have had a fall, stroke or other illness.  We work in partnership with the NHS Community Rehabilitation Service across Hammersmith & Fulham. As a Keep Active Volunteer you would visit an older person (the average age is 84) once a week for up to nine weeks to help them with improving mobility indoors with exercises, or outdoors with walks in their community. This project aims to empower people to get back to independence, access community once more and reduce risks of future falls and hospital re-admittance.

Availability/commitment:

· To live in or near Hammersmith and Fulham, or travel regularly through

· To be able to spare 1-2 hours a week, preferably during working hours

Role of the Keep Active Volunteer:

· To attend an initial one-off training session [with Volunteer Coordinator and therapists from NHS rehabilitation teams].

· To visit an older person’s home once a week for up to 9 weeks to supervise and motivate them to continue practicing their exercise and walking goals, as prescribed by NHS rehabilitation teams.

· Support might include:

- A walk around their local community possibly going to the park or visiting shops.

- Encouraging them to complete a prescribed gentle exercise program.

- Keeping an older and sometimes isolated person company.

- Visiting someone in their homes to help them reach their exercise goals.

NB: Please note that this is a volunteer role and you will not be expected to provide any physical support. This is a motivational role only.

We will provide:

· Induction training and NHS Community Rehabilitation led training (weekday training).

· Regular contact and support from the project staff.

· Occasional social events for volunteers

· Occasional training opportunities for volunteers

· A reference after 3-6 months of volunteering with us

· An enhanced DBS check

· Reimbursement of travel expenses incurred during your volunteering

Skills needed:

· Good listening and communication skills and a good level of spoken English.

· Empathy and a kind and patience approach.

· Enthusiasm and commitment.

· A friendly personality.

· The desire to make a positive difference to someone’s health and wellbeing

· Ability to cope with clients who are unwell.

· A positive attitude towards empowering and improving the lives of older people

· An understanding of and commitment to our policies (including: Confidentiality, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities)

Accountable to:

Keep Active Coordinator

Are you ready to lead meaningful change and champion community voices in Haringey? The Joint Partnership Board (JPB) has already made great strides in bringing together residents, carers, and professionals to shape health and social care services. If you believe in inclusive leadership, co-production, and making sure every voice is heard, this is your chance to make a real impact. Join us in driving forward a vision of equality, accessibility, and collaboration across the borough.

The Joint Partnership Board ( JPB ) and its Reference Groups are the vehicle for partnership working in Haringey; empowering social services clients, carers and other residents as equal partners to develop and achieve strategic borough priorities across the Council and Health services. The JPB is made up of the chairs of the Reference Groups, and key officers from the Council and Health, with administrative support provided. The Reference Groups represent the interests of specific communities, to ensure their voices are heard and their needs and aspirations are taken into account. Currently we have Reference Groups representing Autism, Carers, Dementia, Older People, Physical Disabilities and Carers for people with severe complex autism and learning disabilities ( SCALD ). We are working to re-establish a Learning Disabilities Reference group and further groups may be set up in the future. The Reference Groups develop their own networks and agendas and provide information to the Joint Partnership Board which enables it to prioritise its work to the key needs of the community. 

Information and Advice Service: The Information and Advice service for older people provides a free, confidential, and independent service for anyone aged 65+ living in the borough of Bromley and 50 + plus in Greenwich. Our advisers provide general advice on a range of subjects: employment rights, welfare benefits, housing, consumer rights and adult social care.

Role Summary: Supporting and providing information to clients across a wide range of enquiry areas including welfare benefits, housing, Social Care, relationships, and consumer issues.

What will I be involved in?

• Identify and research information and services to signpost that are relevant to the client’s situation, drawing on information resources, agencies, and other sources of information.
• Committed to researching and providing up to date information to vulnerable older people using the internet and other resources.
• Familiarize and keep updated with resources available from Age UK factsheets and Information Guides available.
• Completion of the Adviser Induction programme which includes training courses on relevant topics. Followed by shadowing sessions within the I & A Team.
• Successfully complete online training courses for Age UK Bromley and Greenwich volunteers.
• Participate in volunteer support meetings with the Advice Case Supervisor and any training on safeguarding adults and appropriate boundaries.
• Present and discuss information and advice with the client’s consent, act on their behalf, and represent their interests with third parties by letter, telephone or in person.
• Recording and updating case records on Charitylog including capturing consent. Using Microsoft packages and emails.
• Liase closely with the Advice Case Supervisor, other advisers, and wider staff team. Seeking guidance and support where required.
• At all times work in accordance with the organisation’s policies regarding Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Confidentiality & Data Protection. Lone working.
• Represent the professional standards of Age UK Bromley and Greenwich and ensure that you wear your volunteer id badge whilst volunteering.

What skills and qualities will I need to have?

• Enjoys talking and helping our clients, 65+ living in Bromley and 50 + in Greenwich from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Good communication skills and confident at speaking to clients on the telephone
• Able to prioritise tasks with good time management skills.
• A commitment to ensuring that customers are provided with accurate relevant information and support. Interested in finding out more about social welfare law advice e.g. housing and welfare benefits.
• Be a good listener and have empathy with older people, being approachable and welcoming.
• Demonstrate a non-judgmental approach. The listener may personally disagree with the client’s opinions or actions but attempts to understand the client’s point of view and shows that they still value the client.
• Being able to maintain client confidentiality, understand the importance of keeping within the parameters of the role and have a good understanding of GDPR and Data Protection.

Benefits of getting involved:

• Being part of a team who are passionate about helping clients 65+ living in Bromley and 50+ in Greenwich
• Committed to supporting the Information and Advice service deliver a difference to all their clients.
• Ongoing support and role training with feedback given.
• Opportunities for networking with other volunteers and being part of a wider volunteer team.
• Awareness of Age UK Bromley and Greenwich social events, services, and projects

Other information: Prospective volunteers will complete a recruitment process and be required to provide details of two references and agree to submit details for and undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check. All our volunteer roles are 18+, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Age UK Bromley & Greenwich will reimburse all expenditure reasonably incurred. Receipts to be provided with expenditure claims.

We urgently need volunteers who can provide a friendly face, shop for and deliver groceries to our clients.

The Age Connects shopping service is an invaluable lifeline to so many older, vulnerable members of our local communities, particularly those with no family or friends to offer shopping support. We know that older people can become frail, and those who have mobility problems, who no longer drive or don’t have access to the internet, may find it difficult to do their weekly shop.

As a shopper you will be providing a shop and deliver service for the client either on a weekly or fortnightly basis. You will collect their shopping list, carry out the shopping and deliver it back to them. It could be that you’re the only person they see or speak to that day or even that week and it can be an opportunity to have a chat with the client, provide them with information about other services they may need or to offer practical help.

This is a fee paying service, the client will pay £5 per shop to the charity. If you are a friendly, reliable and trustworthy, you can help. You need to be aged 18+, and to be able to make a commitment for a minimum of 6 months: we will also require two character references, and will carry out a DBS check before you can start. It is best if you have access to your own transport, as some clients do not live centrally, or require large shops.

Honorary Secretary for Age Concern Twyford & District

Are you organised? Can you take notes for our charity Board meetings? 

Do you have an interest in supporting a charity which supports older people in our community?

About us

You could be the Honorary Secretary for Age Concern Twyford & District, a local charity whose aim is to promote and maintain independent living for older residents in and around our local area.

Initially set up in 1988, we are an independent incorporated charity. We are not affiliated with any similar organisations, but work closely with other Wokingham Borough-based charities, support organisations and local businesses.

We provide a Day Centre with options for lunches and take-home meals, many activities including arts, singing, dancing and exercise, plus a range of support services including assistance with form-filling, handypersons and a listening ear to support families.

In 2023/24 our income rose (again) to £206k, and our services and facilities remain well-used and very well-appreciated.

The role and what we are looking for in a new Honorary Secretary

Our Board includes people with experience and skills in supporting older people, and we’d expect our new Honorary Secretary to have empathy with our cause and our beneficiaries. 

You will need good organising skills and the ability to take notes to turn into Minutes of our meetings, but those aren’t complex or too formal. You’ll be asked to assist with our Charity Regulation and reporting to the Charity Commission, but again those are easy things to implement. In all these things, you’ll be assisted and advised by our Centre Manager and other trustees, including our new Chair of the Board.

You don’t necessarily need prior experience of charity trusteeship, although that would be welcome. Full induction to our organisation will be provided, plus specialist support as a new trustee, including access to external training if needed.

We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for fresh expertise and experience from a variety of backgrounds to our charity: we want to expand the diversity of our board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups. 

The focus of a trustee role is strategic, and trustees will not be expected to get involved in the organisation’s operations on a day-to-day basis; however, contact and liaison with other trustees and employees is expected.   

We ask for up to five hours of your time per month, which includes our monthly meetings, and other discussions.  You will need good access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business is run that way.

How to apply  

This appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, a charity-support organisation, who offer a no-obligation discussion by phone or video. A detailed Role Description and Person Specification can be made available to you upon request.

Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references, to completion of an online Safeguarding course and an Enhanced DBS check. 

Your CV or similar will be read by our existing trustees, and an interview offered as soon as mutually convenient.

I need to know more 

Contact Mike Allen via Quick Apply below for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams or Zoom).

Who They Are

Care Rights UK is a national charity dedicated to championing the rights of people in care. For over 30 years, the organisation has provided information, advice, and support to empower individuals using care services, as well as the relatives and friends who support them.

As a community of families and experts, Care Rights UK campaigns for better lives for people in care. The charity identifies poor practice, highlights examples of good care, and advocates for a stronger, fairer care system.

The Role

Care Rights UK is entering an exciting phase of growth and is seeking to diversify and expand its reach across the UK. To support this next chapter, the organisation is looking to appoint a new trustee to join its established and welcoming Board of Trustees.

The Board plays a vital role in the strategic oversight of the charity, working alongside a small but dedicated staff team led by an experienced CEO. Trustees help guide the organisation’s work, ensuring it continues to provide the national advice line for older people needing care and to campaign effectively for systemic change.

Despite its modest size, Care Rights UK is recognised as a leading voice in the sector, “punching above its weight” through its influence, advocacy, and impact.

Who They Are Looking For

Care Rights UK welcomes applications from people with a positive, can-do attitude and a passion for promoting the rights of older people. The charity is particularly interested in individuals with knowledge or experience of:

• Advice and support services

• Legal expertise

• First-hand experience of care services

These perspectives are highly valued, but applications are welcomed from anyone with an interest in adult social care. Previous trustee experience is not required. Training, induction, and tailored support will be provided to ensure new trustees feel confident in their role.

Commitment to Diversity

Care Rights UK is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Applications are encouraged from people of all backgrounds, including those underrepresented on the Board: individuals from minoritised ethnic communities, women, and LGBTQ+ communities. The charity particularly values lived experience of care and seeks to ensure its leadership reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.

What Trustees Can Expect

• Friendly, supportive colleagues on both the Board and staff team

• Clear, jargon-free Board papers provided in a timely manner

• One-to-one support from the Chair and regular reviews of Board operations

• Peer support, including a buddy scheme

• A comprehensive induction to the charity, its work and mission

• Training to equip trustees for their role

• Practical support from staff, including help with logistics such as travel

• Opportunities to share knowledge and skills with sector experts

• The chance to be part of a dynamic team driving real change in the care sector

Befriend a housebound older person at their home near you in Coventry - any day or time, from 30 min/fortnight. You'll be carefully matched by shared interests & supported.

Befriending an older person in your local area takes just 30-60 minutes, fortnightly or weekly. It fits into your life, and you gain a new friend. You can learn more about Coventry life & history, and feel great that you've made a housebound older person feel less lonely. Volunteers and older people come from all backgrounds. They could take short walks, bake together, watch sport together, discuss literature, learn to crochet...

You will be carefully matched by your shared hobbies and interests, and logistical factors such as shared language, how close to home or work you'd like to be, and when you'd each like to chat. Support is available at any time, should you need it.

Visits can take place during evenings & weekends, though our most popular request is for daytime visits. We also offer telephone befriending. Volunteers must be 18+, but children can come along when accompanied. Dogs are welcome too!

Visits can simply include chat and a cuppa, or can involve going for a short walk together, doing crafts, playing games, gardening together, or watching sport. It's up to you!

Age UK Plymouth exists to care for and work with older people and their carers in and around the city of Plymouth to improve their quality of life through the promotion of choice, opportunity and independence.

We’re looking to expand our dedicated team of Trustees to support the next stage of our work in Plymouth and we’re seeking individuals who are passionate about our vision, mission and values.

Trustees hold independent control and legal responsibility for the charity’s management and administration, working together as a board to make strategic, high-level decisions.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in fundraising, marketing and communications, HR, finance, public sector commissioning, or digital/IT. However, if your background lies elsewhere and you’re passionate about our mission, we’d still love to hear from you.

The role requires a time commitment of around one day per month, which includes meeting preparation and attendance, strategy days, and supporting your team in your area of expertise.

For more information and details of how to apply please visit the Age UK Plymouth website.

Volunteer - Homeline befriending project

Homeline is a befriending project for older people based in Hammersmith and Fulham. We are looking for enthusiastic and committed people to join our team, who live in or near H&F or work in the area and can spare an hour weekly.

Activities might involve:

* provide a listening ear

* read to a person with visual impairment

* accompany for walks to a local park or appointments.

Join our friendly team & enjoy the benefits of role training, DBS and continued support.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

Do you live in Wales and want to gain valuable skills, have new experiences, and support vulnerable people? We are offering 1 young person aged 18–25 the opportunity to volunteer for up to 11 months with the Portuguese Red Cross in Guimarães, Portugal.

The Portuguese Red Cross in Guimarães supports the local community through a wide range of voluntary activities focused on social inclusion, education, health, and youth engagement.

Volunteers will be involved in several impactful projects, including:

• Supporting elderly people through digital inclusion and companionship
• Promoting healthy lifestyles and safety awareness among children and teenagers
• Assisting in shelters for homeless individuals and long-term care patients
• Organising creative and educational activities in schools, hospitals, and foster homes
• Helping with social media, fundraising, and community events.

Volunteers will stay in a shared house near the city centre, just a short walk from the Red Cross headquarters. The house includes shared bedrooms, a kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and a terrace. Volunteering hours will not exceed 35 hours per week, and volunteers are entitled to two consecutive days of rest. While most weekends are free, occasional weekend activities may take place.

This is a fantastic opportunity to explore your interests, develop new skills, and make a difference in a vibrant and historic city. For more details on the role and the projects available, please refer to the full role description. The most important thing we want to see is your motivation for this placement!

Typical tasks may include:

• Assisting with educational games and workshops in schools and hospitals
• Supporting digital literacy sessions for elderly people
• Helping manage donations of clothes, food, and essentials
• Creating engaging content for social media and awareness campaigns
• Participating in climate change and health awareness projects
• Designing and leading your own community-based initiatives.

The volunteers will be working in a range of projects, which will give them the chance to explore the different kind of social action that the Portuguese Red Cross undertake in Guimarães.

This is a great opportunity to get involved in social action projects and find out what you are interested in. For more details on the role and the projects available, have a look at the role description. The main thing we want to see is your motivation for this placement!

Please note that only young people (aged 18-25) based in Wales can apply for this role. Depending on the situation at the time, we will either run an in-person selection day or run Teams interviews with shortlisted candidates.

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

A bit more information about this role and the team

The branch are looking for indoor fosterers so applicants would need to have a suitable spare room.

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Our shops are a hive of activity and the heart of the local community. They raise funds to support our vital work and provide a place to find out more about how we help older people in the local area. 

Our Stock Preparation Volunteers always enjoy being part of our shop teams; making new friends and helping the charity to maximise the income from the amazing items people donate to us.

In this role you will usually be working in our donation sorting area, which is off the shop floor. Here you will help the team process, prepare and price the items people donate.

We receive hundreds of bags of clothing, bric-a-brac, toys, games and all sorts of items every week. You will help us to turn these into vital funds to support our work. 

After full training you will be part of our processing team; sorting through the donated items, identifying those which we should sell, preparing them and pricing before they are put onto the shop floor.

You may have a particular area of experience, such as clothing, books or antiques. Your skills and knowledge will help us to gain the best value for each item and some of our volunteers even coordinate entire sections, such as a book rooms within our stores.

When people come in to donate their items you will be helping to thank them for their support. Many items are Gift Aided so when processing the items you will ensure that Gift Aid labels are attached so that we can gain this additional vital income.

You will help to make our products look amazing; steaming clothes (if this is your area) and helping to clean and make every item look great and ready for sale. 

It would be ideal if you could volunteer at least one shift a week, which is about three hours but we're also happy to have more flexible times. No special skills are needed as we will show you what to do and will provide all the training you need. 

It’s really easy to get your volunteering started, if you're over 16 years old, please apply now!

We are currently looking for volunteers to help in our stock room sorting donations all day Friday, Saturday and Sundays. Please get in touch if you would like to become part of our amazing Volunteer Team!

About the opportunity

We are seeking committed vegetarians or vegans to join our volunteer board of trustees. Vegetarian for Life (VfL) is the only UK charity specifically dedicated to supporting older vegetarians and vegans. We believe that all older people should be able to maintain their chosen diet and lifestyle and enjoy good quality plant-based food wherever they live.

Our trustees work with the CEO to ensure strong governance and help realise the strategic aims of this unique and growing charity. Since its formation in 2007, VfL has earned widespread respect for its advocacy, training, and resources that support dignity and choice in later life.

In line with our new Vision for 2030, we are looking to strengthen our board with a new trustee who brings experience of business development, marketing and income generation gained (most likely) from the Private Sector. We are particularly interested in individuals with proven experience in:

• Growing a business in an ethical and sustainable way
• Generating income from new streams and commercial partnerships
• Developing and marketing new products and services

You’ll work alongside a committed board and leadership team as we seek to build VfL’s long-term sustainability by enhancing our earned income to complement support from our strong reserves.

Experience of charity governance is welcomed but not essential. More important is a strategic mindset, commercial insight, and a strong commitment to VfL’s mission.

The role of trustee is a voluntary one, with expenses paid when incurred in connection with the role. The board meets quarterly, mainly via video conferencing, with at least one in-person meeting annually in Manchester. Meetings are held on Saturdays, with additional (short) discussions scheduled by arrangement when needed.

For further information and an informal chat please contact Amanda Woodvine, CEO.