Volunteer With Us

Role Purpose

To provide information and advice to older people, their relatives and their carers by telephone and personal contact at the Age UK Bexley office.

Main duties and Responsibilities

• Offer advice to clients in person or by telephone

• Inform people about services that may be available to them and how to access them, including Age UK Bexley services: and where appropriate to refer people to other agencies and sources of help

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• A willingness and ability to participate in mandatory training sessions and attend regular update meetings as and when required

• A genuine interest and concern for older people

• A willingness and ability to work as part of a team

• Knowledge or awareness of issues affecting older people and their carers

Person Specification:

• Good listening and communication skills (essential)

• Computer literate, especially with computer record management systems (essential – although training will be given)

• Empathy with older people (essential)

• Reliability and trustworthiness (essential)

• Patience and sensitivity (essential)

Hours of Work: AM (9.30-1) or PM (1-4)

Responsible to: Systems Lead

Introduction

Age UK Bexley has been asked by the Frognal Local Care Network to set up a project offering functional fitness assessments to people who are experiencing some mild impairment of muscle strength and not exercising regularly.  

The plan is that people will be assessed and a personal action plan developed to help them to become more active, improve their muscle strength and help to prevent frailty and falls in the future.

The individual concerned will then be reassessed in 4-6 months’ time in order to track changes/improvements.

We are really excited about this opportunity to help people to live longer, healthier and happier lives and prevent frailty and falls which can severely impact on health and wellbeing.

Following their initial assessment people will be given a personal action plan, which could include, for example, attending a fitness class or joining a walking group, but we know from experience that people often find it difficult to motivate themselves to start attending groups or classes when they don’t know anyone there.

Volunteer Role Description

We are looking for volunteers willing to follow people up after their assessment and encourage and support them to engage with the activities suggested to them. This will mean contacting them by telephone initially; it could also include arranging to meet them and go the class or group with them the first time, and possibly on subsequent occasions. Most of these will probably take place in the Frognal area, which includes Sidcup, Blackfen, Albany Park and Bexley.

Your role may also include helping to make the class or group an opportunity for people to make friends and connect with other people, eg by making refreshments and encouraging people to stay behind afterwards for a cup of tea.

If you wish, and you have an interest in improving health and wellbeing, you might also like to be part of a network/group of individuals looking at how we can develop additional services and support for people in the Frognal area. 

Commitment required

The fitness classes/groups are likely to be weekly for one to one and a half hours and will be held in the Frognal area.

Involvement in a network looking at developing new services will be on an ad-hoc and occasional basis.

Skills and Qualities required

Inter-personal skills and the ability to relate to people who might be feeling nervous about attending a class or activity on their own where they don’t know anyone. The ability to commit to a regular session at the same time and on the same day each week.

An interest in improving health and wellbeing generally.

Role Purpose

To assist staff at Age UK Bexley by helping older people throughout the borough in claiming additional money that they are entitled to and providing information and advice on our services.

Main duties and Responsibilities

Main duties

• Assist clients with the completion of various transport forms, such as Blue Badge and Taxi card applications at our Head office and our Wellbeing Centres.

• Provide advice to clients on what evidence is required for the form.

• Offer information and advice to various groups within Bexley Borough.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• A willingness and ability to participate in mandatory training sessions and attend regular update meetings as and when required

• A genuine interest and concern for older people

• A willingness and ability to work as part of a team

Person Specification:

• Good listening and communication skills

• Empathy with older people

• Reliability and trustworthiness

• Organised and able to keep accurate records

• Patience and sensitivity

Hours of Work: one day a week Am or PM shift one day a week

Responsible to: Care Services Manager    

Age UK Bexley volunteers work with frail older people and therefore will be subject to a check from the Disclosure & Barring Service  under the Protection of Vulnerable Adults policy.

Role Purpose

You will provide administrative support to the volunteers who are the first point of contact to Age UK Bexley. 

Main duties and Responsibilities

• Listen to Voice messages from our Information Gateway service and record and pass on messages via our computerised record management system Charity Log.

• Research services that may be available to clients and share them with Information Gateway Team and how to access them including other agencies and sources of help

• Input attendance from Age UK Bexley Activities on to Charity Log

• Marketing or promotional administration as required by Age UK Bexley Staff

• Attend quarterly team meetings.

• Administrative support to other Age UK Staff members

• A willingness and ability to participate in mandatory training sessions and attend regular update meetings as and when required

• A willingness and ability to work as part of a team, and confidence to work alone.

• well organised and self motivated.

What skills do I need?

• Good listening and communication skills

• Computer literate, you will be using Charity Log case management system. (training will be given)

• Reliability and trustworthiness

• Confidentiality, patience and sensitivity

• Ability to attend and complete identified training online and in person

Hours of Work: AM (10-1) or PM (1-4) you will be based at our Belvedere Office

Responsible to: Systems Lead

Role Purpose

Age UK Bexley’s Befriending Service provides support, to older housebound and socially  isolated people in the London Borough of Bexley.

The aim of the service is to support people to relieve loneliness and help people remain independent and living in their own homes as long as possible. This will be achieved by:-

A home visiting service (or accompanying out for short distances)

Group befriending

Short term befriending

This will be ascertained by the Befriending Co-ordinator and in liaison with the volunteer. There will not be out of hours working and we do not replace statutory provision or act as an emergency service. 

Main duties and Responsibilities

• To visit the client and work within the care plan as requested by the Co-ordinator

Responsibilities

• Work within Age UK Bexley policies and procedures

• Respect confidentiality

• Attend regular meetings and an annual review meeting as arranged by the co-ordinator

• Record and report details of monthly visits to co-ordinator

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Attend mandatory training sessions as and when required

• A genuine interest and concern for older people

• Ability to travel within the Bexley Borough

• Knowledge and/or awareness of issues affecting older people

 Person Specification:

• Confident and able to build rapport easily

• Reliability and trustworthiness

• Good listening and communication skills

• Organised and able to keep accurate records

Training required

Mandatory training for this role is:-Information Governance

Safeguarding Adults at Risk

Hours of Work: 1-2 hours  per week

Responsible to: Befriending Co-ordinator

Age UK Bexley volunteers work with frail older people and therefore will be subject to a check from the Disclosure & Barring Service  under the Protection of Vulnerable Adults policy.

Role Purpose

The charity operates a number of Befriending Café’s across the borough in partnership with other voluntary and statutory organisations. This role represents a critical part of the charity’s developing community presence and its work in reaching new audiences.

The role will be to assist and and/or lead sessions and activities for older people, on behalf of Age UK  and in partnership with other local organisations and independent practitioners employed to support the resource.

Responsibilities and Main duties

• Meet and greet older people

• Prepare and serve refreshments

• Take any queries about older people’s services and signpost to Age UK Bexley

• Assist and join in with activities

• Clear the area; put away chairs and wash up

• Keep basic monitoring figures (eg: numbers attending and number of enquires received)

• Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• A willingness and ability to participate in mandatory training sessions as and when required

• A genuine interest and concern for older people

• A willingness and ability to work as part of a team

• A willingness and ability to travel within the Bexley Borough

• An ability to advocate for and support the interests of older people using Age UK services.

Person Specification:

• An enthusiastic and positive outlook; willingness and ability to get involved

• Empathy with older people

• A warm, polite and friendly manner

• Good communication skills

• Reliable and dependable

 Hours of Work: minimum 2 hours per week

Responsible to: Community Development Project Officer 

Age UK Bexley volunteers work with frail older people and therefore may be subject to a check from the Disclosure & Barring Service  under the Protection of Vulnerable Adults policy.

Role Purpose

Age UK Bexley has a day centre for frail, housebound, older people in  Sidcup and an additional centre for people with more enhanced needs. Day Centre volunteers assist the staff to ensure that clients are comfortable during their visit and assist with activities and at meal times under the direction of the Day Service Manager and staff.

Main duties and Responsibilities

Main Duties:

• To help older people maintain their dignity and independence by assisting in a community based day centre

Responsibilities:

• To establish, maintain and develop relationships with clients within the Day Centre

• To greet clients when they arrive, take coats and help to settle in the Day Centre lounge, help with laying the tables for lunch, making and serving refreshments and help the staff throughout the day

• To adhere to the policies and practices of Age UK Bexley relating to health and safety

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• A willingness and ability to participate in mandatory training sessions as and when required

• A genuine interest and concern for older people

• A willingness and ability to work as part of a team

Person Specification:

• Empathy with older people

• A reasonable level of fitness

• Reliability and trustworthiness

• Patience and Sensitivity

• An interest in assisting with activities for older people

Hours of Work: Full day session - 9:30 – 3:30 for our Enhanced and 10:00– 4:00 for our wellbeing.

Responsible to: Day Services Manager

 for this position regular covid-19 testing must be adhered to

Role Purpose

To support and lead the Shed’s general day to day running and to help ensure there is consistent service delivery for its members.

Men in Sheds Bexley is a community wood workshop and garden space for older men. The project helps reduce loneliness, offers peer support, and promotes skill sharing.

Main duties and Responsibilities

• To provide on-site support and supervision for the day-to-day operations of the project.

• To ensure the Shed is opened and/or closed securely at the end of daily operations, when there is not a member of staff on site

• To ensure the Shed is kept clean, tidy and safe during and at the end of the day.

• To ensure health and safety procedure is being followed.

• To provide confident and supportive assistance to shed members, particularly where new members are attending for the first few weeks

• To encourage and support active participation of members in social and skill sharing opportunities

• On occasion and where possible, to assist with general building maintenance and ad hoc tasks to provide support for the community development project officer.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Good knowledge and interest in woodwork and DIY

• Good knowledge of safe working practices in the use of tools, materials, and personal protective equipment

• Able to communicate effectively with older and vulnerable people

• An understanding of the effects of social isolation and their importance for healthy living in older people

 Person Specification:

• A positive can-do attitude (essential)

• Good listening and communication skills (essential)

• Reliability and trustworthiness (essential)

• Patience and sensitivity (essential)

 Hours of Work: 1 weekly half day or full day shift between the hours of 9:30am-3:30pm. Times and days to be confirmed. (TUESDAY and THURSDAY PREFERRED)

Responsible to: Community Development Project Officer

Role Purpose

To support weekly walks across the borough promoting health and fitness for older people in Bexley. Providing a service that helps reduce loneliness and offers peer support.

Main duties and Responsibilities

• Co-lead weekly walks for groups of adults 55+

• Welcoming new members

• Ensuring everyone is safe during walks and sticking to any risk assessments or guidance given by Age UK Bexley

• Taking records of attendees and reporting these to the community development manager

• Supporting walkers during walks and helping them feel less isolated

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Some knowledge of the local area

• Able to communicate effectively with older and vulnerable people

• An understanding of the effects of social isolation and their importance for healthy living in older people

• A commitment to equal opportunities

Person Specification:

• Good listening and communication skills (essential)

• Reliability and trustworthiness (essential)

• Patience and sensitivity (essential)

 Walks are currently Danson Park and Lesnes Abbey

Hours of Work: One morning/Afternoon per week days and times to be confirmed

Responsible to: Community Development Project Officer

Volunteer drivers will be part of the Befriending service and will be befriending café, Community Befrienders and Befriending Volunteers who would like to transport clients to and from the cafes; and Befrienders who would like to take their clients out in their car or to one of our local activities.

Volunteers must provide the original of the following documents;

• Driving Licence

• Valid MOT Certificate

• Letter of notification to the insurance company

• Enhanced DBS certificate (from Age UK Bexley)

Owner-drivers must tell their insurance company that they will be driving in a volunteering capacity. If they do not the policy could be invalidated, which results in the driver being personally liable for any damage or injuries sustained in an accident. Owner-drivers must not receive payment above legitimate expenses. If they do they could be deemed to be making a profit, which could invalidate their insurance.

Some policy holders may be told by staff at their insurer that they need to pay a business premium to cover their volunteering. In this case it is advisable to ask to speak to a senior member of staff at the company to clarify this is the case, as many volunteers have been given incorrect information.

If the insurer maintains that a business premium needs to be paid, the volunteer might want to consider changing their insurance provider. The market is diverse, and many companies do not charge volunteer drivers a premium.

Role Purpose

To provide information and support at events attended by Age UK Bexley throughout Bexley borough. These events would include fundraising activities, outreach and information events.

Main duties and Responsibilities:

• To provide information on Age UK Bexley services
• To support with set up and close down of events
• To support fundraising activitiy
• To be an ambassordor for Age UK Bexley
• Attend and represent the charity in local outreach events

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Excellent communication skills
• A genuine interest and concern for older people
• Ability to travel between various locations with Bexley Borough
• Some knowledge of the charity sector in Bexley
• Knowledge or awareness of issues affecting older people and their carers

Person Specification:

• Good listening and communication skills
• Empathy with older people
• Patience and sensitivity
• Reliable, knowledgeable and professional demeanour
• Ability to use own initiative and to work unsupervised

Hours of Work: To be agreed with the Engagement Manager but can include day time, evenings and weekends.

Responsible to: Engagement Manager

Age UK Bexley volunteers work with frail older people and therefore may be subject to a check from the Disclosure & Barring Service  under the Protection of Vulnerable Adults policy.

Role Purpose

To assist the Fundraising Executive in administrative activities inclding making calls to potential funders and supporting the development of a fundraising database. To support building Community and Corporate links for the charity which will enable us to develop new funding streams.

Main duties and Responsibilies:

• To support the development of phone and email contacts
• Maintain and update records
• Provide Administration support for the Fundraising Executive and Age UK Bexley staff team.
• Research funding and partnership opportunities
• Help with planning events and activities
• Deliver excellent supporter case
• Supporting with social media

Person Specification:

• Good communication skills via telephone, letter and email
• Computer literate including use of Word, Excel and Outlook systems
• Previous experience or knowledge of Fundraising
• Understanding of the needs of older people

Hours Required: Flexible working hours to be determined by the Fundraising Executive.

Responsible to: Fundraising Executive

Age UK Bexley volunteers work with older people and therefore will be subject to a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service under the Age UK Bexley Safeguarding Adults at Risk policy.