Lend a hand. Make a change. Join Age UK in The Big Help Out 2024
Published on 30 May 2024 11:00 AM
The Big Help Out is back! This June some of the country’s best-known charities are coming together to encourage people to sign up to volunteer to help their local communities. Six million people[i] took part in last year’s Big Help Out to experience how rewarding volunteering can be and the power it has to make a change.
Age UK is one of those joining the initiative, which takes place between 7th June - 9th June, and it’s inviting the public to try their hand at volunteering across a variety of roles. The Charity is reliant on volunteers who help to provide vital support to older people, often at a time in their lives when they need help the most.
As well as providing much-needed support, volunteering also enables people to gain valuable new skills, confidence, experiences and friends.
Don Warrington, actor and Age UK supporter, said: “I was fortunate to be invited to Age UK Barnet last year to join a group of volunteers supporting older people with dementia. Not only did I have a fantastic day, but I came away in awe of Age UK’s volunteers.
“It’s clear how much satisfaction they get from volunteering. It’s a two-way street - you give up your time and efforts for other people, and you get so much back from those people, so everybody involved benefits. You have to make a decision to get involved and the rewards are immense.”
Age UK offers many services, nationally and locally, which means there are countless opportunities available, some of which include:
Volunteering Opportunities at Age UK
- Join an Age UK shop team
Age UK’s 250 charity shops help the Charity raise vital funds for its work and services and depend on the support and dedication of volunteers.
Offering people the chance to try their hand at being a shop volunteer in their local area, Age UK shops will be open on Wednesday 5th June and offering taster sessions to those interested in helping out.
Open to everyone over the age of 18 the taster sessions will give prospective volunteers a flavour of what they can expect, giving them the chance to meet the team and try out different tasks including window dressing, creating displays, managing stock donations and serving customers.
- Support a local Age UK
There is a network of over 120 independent local Age UK, and Age Scotland, Age Northern Ireland and Age Cymru organisations that run a variety of services which volunteers play a key role in delivering. These include social groups and activities such as fitness classes, digital inclusion programmes, home from hospital transport, friendship services and much more.
- Volunteering as a Telephone Befriender
Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Services matches older people with a trained volunteer for a regular friendly chat over the telephone once a week.
On Friday the 7th of June 2024, the Age UK Telephone Friendship Service will hold an online 'meet and greet' event. In this session people can learn more about the service, gain insight into what the role entails, and find out how they can provide vital friendship to older people over the telephone.
- Volunteer for The Silver Line Helpline[ii]
This free and confidential 24-hour helpline is there for older people who feel lonely and isolated and need a friendly chat, at any time of the day or night.
On Wednesday 5th June 2024, the Silver Line Helpline will hold an online 'meet and greet' event. In this session people can learn more about the services, gain insight into what volunteering entails, and find out how they can provide support to older people over the telephone.
- Campaign to make the UK a great place to grow older
Age UK believes it is vital the Government listens to the needs of older people. Our campaigners give their time to help push for change through small acts such as signing petitions or writing to their MPs.
To find out more about volunteering roles at Age UK and supporting The Big Help Out visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/volunteer
To find out more about signing up for a volunteering taster session at Age UK, visit www.thebighelpout.org.uk and download The Big Help Out app.
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[i] Walnut Omnibus polling 5th – 8th May
Age UK
We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI and our local Age UK partners in England (together the Age UK Family). We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.
Age UK believes that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances. We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well-being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle.
Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).
For more information
Contact the Age UK Media team on 020 3033 1430 during office hours (Mon-Fri 08:30-17:30) or for out-of-hours media support please email media@ageuk.org.uk