Frequently asked questions

NO! Just be able to make a brew and to chat.

Yes, all training will be covered during your induction period as well as ongoing training as and when is needed.

YES! We always have a need for volunteers as we have a wide range of volunteering opportunities available.

We offer various volunteering roles to suit the amount of time you can give us, for example 3 hrs a week would be perfect to help out at one of our Charity Shops.

Yes! We are always looking for people to pass their skills/knowledge on and help others.

There are no age restrictions on volunteering; we usually tend to take people 16yrs upwards, all we ask is that you’re fit, healthy and enthusiastic.

Volunteering is a great way to gain new skills, work experience and usually employers will look favourably at someone’s CV that has volunteering on it.

Here at Age UK Cheshire East we have had some volunteers that have gone on into employment with us when a vacancy has been available.

We do not ‘interview’ our volunteers; however we do invite you for an informal and relaxed chat so we can match you with a volunteer role best suited to you.

We offer a 6 week probation period with one on one support from our volunteer Co-Ordinator and Project Managers, as well as ‘support chats’ as and when is needed, not to mention the support of all our great volunteers.

Our volunteer Co-Ordinator will call you to arrange an informal chat and to discuss volunteering opportunities available.

We are always looking to encourage younger volunteers, and offer a wide range of volunteering roles; most students are looking for volunteering opportunities for work experience or university applications, we would suggest you contact our volunteer Co-Ordinator on 01625 612958 and have a chat.

Most of our volunteering roles you can start more or less straight away on a date that’s agreed with between yourself and the Project Manager, some of our volunteer roles for example Day-care Drivers do require a DBS Check and volunteering wouldn’t be able to commence until that has come through but these are fairly quick and you can always volunteer at Day-care for example.

All our ‘Services’ i.e.: Day-care, Healthy Lifestyle, Men In Sheds for example run weekdays Monday to Friday usually (between 9:00am – 5:00pm) however our Charity Shops are open Monday to Saturday 9:30am – 4:30pm.

Yes all out of pocket expense are paid.

We currently work very closely with the Jobcentre in Macclesfield where they offer 8 week ‘work placements’ for people who are signing on and looking for work experience or to update their CV, we would advise that you check with your Jobseekers Allowance advisor and they will be best informed based on your Jobseekers Allowance.

We would advise that you check with your Jobseekers Allowance advisor /Benefits advisor and they will be best informed based on your circumstances.