Telephone Support Volunteer Volunteer Roles

We are currently looking to recruit a Keeping in Touch telephone support volunteer to provide a light touch support service for carers following their registration with Carer Support Dorset with the aim to keep up to date with the cares current needs, and intervene where appropriate to avoid crisis situations through referral to the carer case workers at Carer Support Dorset. Induction training will be provided to meet the needs of the role, as well as ongoing support, supervision, and additional training as necessary.

We are currently looking to recruit a Keeping in Touch telephone support volunteer to provide a light touch support service for carers following their registration with Carer Support Dorset with the aim to keep up to date with the cares current needs, and intervene where appropriate to avoid crisis situations through referral to the carer case workers at Carer Support Dorset. Induction training will be provided to meet the needs of the role, as well as ongoing support and supervision, and additional training as necessary. Out of pocket expenses will be paid.

Together Talks Telephone Befriending Service is looking for people who would like to join us in helping to provide support to as many people as possible during challenging times. Telephone Befriending has the potential to be an important aspect of the overall approach to helping the most isolated and lonely individuals in our society. Telephone Befriending can also benefit the volunteer befrienders who are similarly able to reengage with their community and may derive health benefits from regular volunteering. Our aim is to alleviate feelings of anxiety, loneliness and isolation that may be experienced by many people across our communities, by contact from a volunteer befriender. If you’re a friendly person who likes talking to people, then this is the role for you. This service aims to capture volunteers who have their own telephone. Ideally, you will have unlimited minutes on your personal mobile so the calls should not cost you anything. 

What does a Volunteer Telephone Befriender do?

To telephone Befriendee’s at their home for around 10 -30 minutes. You will arrange the exact times of your future calls direct with the Befriendee’s. This could range from once a day to once a week, but individual needs will be matched with your availability 

To provide a telephone conversation, a listening ear and chat about interests and hobbies, helping to alleviate loneliness and feelings of isolation.

To provide companionship and human interaction at a time when this may be limited.

To provide an update after each call to the Together Talks support Team. This is so we can keep a track of the amount of befriending calls each volunteer is undertaking, the type of support being offered during these calls and if there is anything further required.

It is important to note telephone befriending is not counselling or therapy and other services must be sought if this is required.

Benefits

• Free DBS.
• Discounted food.
• Store discount.
• Work from home.
• Above all you will be making a positive difference in your befriendee’s life.
• As a volunteer telephone befriender, you will learn how to support others, make friends, become more confident, and practice communication skills.
• You will gain new and transferable skills. We offer support for you to increase your own job-readiness and personal development.
• Training opportunities,
• Volunteering experience
• Detailed references will be provided.

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Volunteer Telephone Welcome Agent, can you help?

The Hospice Lottery Partnership runs a weekly lottery in support of local charities such as: Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity in Aylesbury, Michael Sobell Hospice Charity in Northwood, Rennie Grove Hospice Care in Buckinghamshire and West Hertfordshire, South Bucks Hospice in High Wycombe, and The Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted.

We are looking for someone that could spare a few hours a week at our office based in Tring to help welcome new players to the weekly lottery.

The role involves thanking players for their support of our partner charities, checking their details are correct, and providing them with the opportunity to ask any questions.

If you have a warm personality, would enjoy the company of a small and friendly team with copious supply of tea and biscuits, then we would love to hear from you!

What we're looking for:

· An ability to represent The Hospice Lottery and our partner charities appropriately and enthusiastically.

· A warm personality with the ability to engage with supporters on the phone.

· Excellent communicator and people skills.

· Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel is required.

What you can gain from this opportunity:

· Being part of an enthusiastic and supportive team.

· Have a rewarding experience helping us to raise money for local charities.

Opportunity details:

· Where: Tring, Hertfordshire.

· Hours: 3+ per week.

· When: Monday AM 

“I volunteer with The Hospice Lottery; I always have a few hours spare each week and it’s lovely to feel that I am helping such a worthy cause. Plus, there’s always a supply of biscuits on offer!” Diana Hewitt, Office Volunteer.

We are currently looking to recruit new Here to Talk telephone befrienders, who are able to commit to a minimum of half an hour every 2 weeks. The aim of our Here to Talk service is to provide low level emotional support to unpaid carers across Wiltshire. You will be a friendly voice at the end of the phone, a listening ear to hear carers’ concerns, and someone who will provide reassurance during challenging times.

Successful applicants will have excellent listening skills and be empathetic and non judgemental. Training is provided.

Volunteer - Homeline’s tele-befriending service!

Do you have an hour to spare each week? Want a simple remote volunteer role you can fit around your busy life?

Look no further! Homeline is a befriending project for older people in Hammersmith and Fulham.

We are looking for volunteers to remotely call a few isolated older adults per week. These calls make such a difference and are often the only phone call a person will receive all week!

A flexible role ideal for volunteers who work during the week and have less time to commit. Join our friendly team and enjoy the benefits of full role training, DBS and continued support.

Get in touch, join our friendly team and enjoy the benefits of full role training, DBS and continued support.

Do you enjoy meeting new people and chatting?

Do you have an hour to spare weekly, chatting to an Older Person on the Telephone?

Are you happy to provide two referees and complete a DBS check, ( free of charge)?

If so, we would love to hear from you?

Methodist Homes (MHA) is seeking Volunteer Telephone Befrienders to support our members and residents in various locations nationwide.

Through specialist care homes, thriving retirement living and vibrant community groups and befriending, we inspire the best care and wellbeing at every stage of later life.

With 80 years experience, we put people at the heart of everything we do in all our homes, schemes and community services across Britain.

The ideal individual will have an understanding of the needs of Older People, be kind and compassionate and enjoy the company of Older People.

What training and support will be provided:

• 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
• Dementia Friends online course-(if you wish)
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (as needed)

Times and Commitment

· We ask that you make a minimum of 4-6 months commitment to this role

· We ask you to be able to commit on a regular basis, to be agreed with your named contact

We will guide you through an application which takes 2-3 weeks. You will have a dedicated Recruiter, who will meet you on a video call.

Deafblind UK members have combined sight and hearing loss and many can feel lonely or socially isolated. We offer a free telephone befriending service where we match volunteers with one of our members to have a weekly 30 minute chat together.

We are looking for confident, empathetic and friendly people who can hold a good conversation. You could be chatting about similar interests or learning about each other’s lives. Whatever the conversation you’ll be having a positive impact.

One 30 minute call seems really simple but having someone to talk to and someone to listen, could really make a difference to our members. It could be that you’re the only person they speak to that day, or even that week.

Our members love to chat with people who have had some life experience and stories to tell. You will need good communication skills and be able to strike up a conversation. You will also need to be reliable, patient with a naturally warm and friendly nature.

We will ensure you are supported throughout your journey with us, offering training and support at all times.

Do you enjoy meeting new people and chatting?

Do you have an hour to spare weekly, chatting to an Older Person on the Telephone?

Are you happy to provide two referees and complete a DBS check, ( free of charge)?

If so, we would love to hear from you?

Methodist Homes (MHA) is seeking Volunteer Telephone Befrienders to support our members and residents in various locations nationwide.

Through specialist care homes, thriving retirement living and vibrant community groups and befriending, we inspire the best care and wellbeing at every stage of later life.

With 80 years experience, we put people at the heart of everything we do in all our homes, schemes and community services across Britain.

The ideal individual will have an understanding of the needs of Older People, be kind and compassionate and enjoy the company of Older People.

What training and support will be provided:

• 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
• Dementia Friends online course-(if you wish)
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (as needed)

Times and Commitment

· We ask that you make a minimum of 4-6 months commitment to this role

· We ask you to be able to commit on a regular basis, to be agreed with your named contact

We will guide you through an application which takes 2-3 weeks. You will have a dedicated Recruiter, who will meet you on a video call.

Still interested? Great, apply to me via indeed and we can arrange a meeting within a few days, to do your informal interview.

MHA is the largest charity care provider for older people in the UK. Our mission is to inspire the best care and wellbeing at every stage of later life.

 As a Volunteer Telephone Befriender, you’ll help improve the quality of life for older people who are socially isolated and may feel lonely. You’ll call once a week to have a chat for about half an hour to help the person feel less isolated. You’ll also encourage them to access services and facilities within their community.

 Main tasks and responsibilities: 

• You’ll spend time talking on the phone.
• You’ll establish and build a friendly and open relationship whilst maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• You’ll ensure that the member’s needs are put first within all communication, whilst respecting the members’ privacy and independence.
• You’ll maintain confidentiality, except in reporting back to the person that supports you, or in circumstances that will be discussed in your training.
• You’ll undertake all training, or support meetings, as agreed with the person who supports you.
• You’ll complete basic reporting and administrative tasks associated with the role. (e.g. Record of Calls).
• To be familiar with and to adhere MHA’s Health and Safety Policies and policies relating to your volunteering role.

Benefits for you:

• Help improve the quality of life for older people
• Help reduce loneliness and isolation
• Support your community
• Keep socially active

Skills and qualities needed:

• Good communication and people skills
• Enthusiasm
• Patience, empathy and understanding of the needs of older people
• Reliable and punctual
• Clear sense of personal boundaries and ability to maintain confidentiality
• A willingness to engage with training and development

Training, support, and requirements:

• You need to be aged 18 or over
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two character references are required
• We will provide you with a full induction for the role.Training on safeguarding, health and safety and other training relevant to the role
• Ongoing support from a named contact

Times and Commitment:

• 30 minute call per week. Days and times can be flexible.
• We ask you to be able to commit on a regular basis for a minimum of six months

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

Keeping in regular contact with our members to check on their wellbeing is one of our key services.

Our Wellbeing Volunteers contact a range of different members every week to make a friendly 'check in' call and have a chat. During these calls, you'll provide the opportunity for our members to talk, offer friendly support and make them aware of the Deafblind UK services available to them.

Whatever the conversation you’ll be making a positive difference!

This is a home based role so you don't need to be 'local' and you don’t need experience to become one of our Wellbeing Volunteers. The majority of our members communicate with clear speech so no specialised skills or knowledge is required. You just need to be comfortable chatting over the phone and be able to commit to a regular weekly time slot to make calls to our members. Some knowledge or experience of sight and or hearing loss would be an advantage in this particular role and confidence in speaking with people of all ages and backgrounds. 

We provide full training and ongoing support in this role and ask for a minimum commitment of three months.

We require you to have Wifi and access to a PC, tablet or mobile device. This is to allow you to complete training, have access to the Deafblind UK phone system and to submit online contact logs.

Volunteering with our charity is special because you get to hear  first-hand the difference you make to people’s lives. Click on 'apply' and make a difference today!

Volunteer with Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke on Trent

What will you do?

• complete an introduction to Citizens Advice and training for your role.
• talk to clients over the phone to explore what problems they’ve come for help with. If you are able to speak or hear over the phone you can train to give advice by email or webchat.
• find information about the clients’ problems and help them to understand their options.
• support clients to take action to resolve their problems. This might include drafting or writing letters, making phone calls, or referring the client to another organisation.
• write a summary of the clients’ problems and what action you’ve taken.
• look out for problems’ that are common, or are unfair, and write a short report about the problem or a letter to an elected official like an MP, AM or local councillor.

Some examples of what you could do: 

• explore what benefits a client is entitled to and help them to complete a benefit application form.
• help a client who has problems with their landlord to understand their housing rights.

What’s in it for you?

• make a real difference to people’s lives.
• learn about a range of issues such as benefits, debt, employment, and housing.
• build on valuable skills such as communication, listening and problem solving, and increase your employability.
• work with a range of different people, independently and in a team.
• have a positive impact in your community.

And we’ll reimburse expenses too.

No prior experience is necessary in these areas as you’ll receive full training.

For individuals who are doing advice giving roles, and who are also training to be a solicitor, if you started training to be a solicitor before 1st September 2021, you may be able to get up to six months reduction in your training contract. 

If you started training to be a solicitor after 1st September 2021, you may be able to include time spent volunteering (or working) in advice giving roles as part of (or all of) your qualifying work experience. See Solicitors Regulation Authority for more information.

What do you need to have?

You don’t need specific qualifications or skills, but you’ll need to:

• be friendly and approachable.
• be non-judgmental and respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own.
• have good listening skills.
• have good verbal and written communication skills.
• have good maths and IT skills.
• be able to understand information and explain it to others.
• be willing to learn about and follow the Citizens Advice aims, principles and policies, including confidentiality and data protection.
• be willing to undertake training in your role.

How much time do you need to give?

We ask for a minimum of 3 hours per week, for at least 12 months.

Many of our volunteers give one full day or two half days per week.

Valuing inclusion

Our volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, and we particularly welcome applications from racially minoritised people/people of colour, disabled people, people with physical or mental health conditions, LGBTQ+ and non-binary people.

If you are interested in becoming an adviser and would like to discuss flexibility around location, time, ‘what you will do’ and how we can support you please contact us.

Contact details

Contact Margaret Collin for more information or to request an application pack.

Location

You can volunteer at any of our offices in North Staffordshire: Hanley, Newcastle under Lyme, Biddulph, or Leek.

You can complete e-learning at the office of your choice, but you will need to be available to attend two training days at the Hanley office.

Head Office
Advice House
13-15 Cheapside
Hanley
Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 1HL

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.

Age UK Notts are seeking individuals who would like to be considered as a volunteer for the NEW Companion Service which launches on 1st April 2024.

Volunteers will be supporting people remotely, in their own homes and in the community within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and ideally, we ask all applicants to provide a minimum of 1 hour volunteering a week.

The companion service volunteer can choose to be:

• A companion telephone/video caller                                                               

• A companion within the person’s home

• A companion outside the person’s home

• Or a combination of all three.

Examples of the type of support the service offers include:

• Telephone / video calls for an older person/s on a regular basis at a mutually agreed time for a friendly chat. 

• Supporting an older person/s hobbies and interests or simply chatting with them in their own home on a regular basis.

• Supporting with digital access & building confidence skills & motivation to access the opportunities of the internet.

• Supporting the person outside of their home e.g., by accompanying them on a walk, to the shops, to a café, garden centre, theatre or cinema or other social activities / community groups. 

• Where appropriate, supporting the older person to access other services through information and signposting or referring to the Companion Service Coordinator for support.

We are looking for the following skills/interests:

• Individuals with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of older people who are committed to volunteering on a regular basis.

• Commitment to complete our Volunteer Report Form accurately and regularly. 

• Ability to travel for visits in the local community either by car or public transport for those volunteers who choose to participate in this type of activity.

• Digital literacy for those volunteers who choose to participate in this type of activity.

Please do note, however, that at the moment we are not looking for Volunteer Telephone Companions.

We are looking for volunteers with good daytime availability in specific areas of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

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

Please contact the volunteering team for further information

Wellbeing Volunteer

Herriot Hospice@The Lambert & Local Community, North Yorkshire

Wellbeing volunteers are vital within the Wellbeing Network, in supporting people living with terminal illness, their families, and carers.

As we will soon be opening the doors of our new Herriot Hospice@the Lambert in Thirsk, we are looking to expand the number of Wellbeing volunteers to reach more people. The roles are varied and bespoke, to support the needs of individuals providing reliable social and emotional support to people wherever they need it. 

Volunteer roles are designed to support both the patient or client, and their carer to live as well as they can with a terminal diagnosis.

To apply, please click on 'How to apply' .

Role Description   

Through volunteering your time at Saint Michael’s and Herriot Hospice Homecare you are supporting those in our community at a time when they need it most.  Volunteers are integral to our work; and we would love to welcome you to our team.

Wellbeing volunteer roles are delivered as below, however if you have a particular skill that you feel would support us, please get in touch.

• The Community Hub at The Lambert – our newest addition to our volunteer roles, providing support to patients, their families and anyone else that comes in, signposting to our services and offering a listening ear. This role will also work closely with the Food and Nutrition team in the hub.
• Sitting - simply staying with the patient, providing respite and empowering their carer to get out for a walk, appointments, or meeting friends.
• Befriending - simply being there, listening, supporting with isolation, accompanying the individual with their support networks in the community, going for a walk.
• Driving – to offer a short drive to medical appointments and to social groups , to pick up prescriptions for the inpatient unit .
• Groups – The Wellbeing Network has a range of social groups to offer the opportunity for people to come together to provide each other with social and emotional support.  Volunteers are to welcome individuals, offer refreshments and a listening ear and support the wider team with collecting feedback about the support received.
• IPU – Volunteers to visit patients on the inpatient unit and offer some companionship, reading to patients, sitting with them to provide reassurance, or helping with activities.
• Armed Forces - The service also provides befriending support to veterans who have served in the Armed Forces.

Volunteering should be a mutually beneficial role, and we believe that consistency is important, so we hope volunteers will be able to support for 2-4 hours per week in whichever role you want to support in – we welcome applicants who want to combine different roles!

1. Key Tasks

• Offering companionship and social support either in person or on the telephone.
• Accompanying the person on a walk or other social activity, for example visit a café.
• Support the person with an activity like shopping, carry out some gardening or a light household task.
• Driving someone to an appointment, for example a medical appointment.
• Sitting with a person with a terminal diagnosis to allow their family member or carer to leave the house for a short period or time, for example to allow them to go shopping, attend a medical appointment, have a break or another essential appointment.
• We will ask for feedback about the service and this will be in the form of questionnaires for the client, carer and volunteer this will enable us to plan any further developments to the service.

NB:  volunteers may use their own vehicles where appropriate – after notifying their insurance provider and providing a copy of their driving licence

Tasks are not to include (more detail will be given during the training programme):

• Assisting the person whilst they are using the toilet, dressing, showering (this is considered personal care)
• Giving the person their medication or assisting with their oxygen
• Nursing tasks

It is essential that volunteers adhere to the role description, undertake appropriate tasks only and are clear about the boundaries of this role. If volunteers are unsure about any task they have been asked to carry out, they should contact their line manager for advice. This is to ensure the safety and well-being of both clients and volunteers.

Overarching responsibilities

• To embed the values of the organisation into your working practices, evidencing this regularly and ensuring this remains a priority.
• To live out our values, which drive all that we do, in the context of your everyday work following our behaviour framework.
• To work in accordance and fully comply with our organisational policies and procedures.
• To carry out all duties in accordance with the law, regulations, organisational frameworks, recognised professional guidelines and the have a commitment to FREDIE, integration and collective decision making.

Throughout your time with us we will conduct ongoing employment checks and performance reviews relevant to your role, for example professional registration checks, DBS, appraisals and regular contact meetings.

1. Person Specification

Is this the right role for you?

You will be:

• Sensitive and empathetic
• Friendly and approachable
• Confident in your ability to undertake a role that may be emotionally challenging at times.
• Happy working as part of a team, but also happy to work independently
• Confident in following the boundaries of the role
• Strict adherence to confidentiality.
• Confident in escalating any concerns.

We will:

• Provide a key contact who will be contactable at any time during the working hours of (Mon-Fri 9:00-16.00). The key contact will offer responsive supervision if an issue arises during a visit or telephone call.
• Facilitate a monthly group supervision session with a member of the team; this provides an opportunity to for more structured supervision and to reflect with other volunteer visitors, and share your experiences.
• Provide regular one to one review/supervision– giving you the opportunity to reflect on the volunteering experience and receive feedback.
• Ensure you have all the training you need to feel confident in your role. 
• Ensure any patient or client you interact with has an up to date risk assessment
• Communicate regularly and effectively with you to ensure you are empowered in your role.
• Provide an up to date suite of policies to support you in delivering your role.

Getting started and training:

• Interested candidates will be invited to a short interview, which is an opportunity for you and us to get to know each other and understand more about the role, and what an impact volunteering can have.
• We offer a thorough and comprehensive training programme, with elements of face-to face and online training, providing you with the skills and knowledge needed to undertake these roles, with yearly updates.
• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken before commencing volunteering.
• Attendance at group supervision on a monthly basis.