Age UK Norfolk Reaches Volunteering Milestone
Published on 07 June 2018 08:57 AM
Volunteers are the life blood of many of our charities – and nowhere are they more valued than with the organisations that deal with our population entering later life. At Age UK Norfolk, we have reached a volunteer milestone recently by enrolling our 300th!
Our Volunteer Coordinator, said that the figure was achieved during March; up to then Age UK Norfolk had been “hovering” around the 280 mark, and he was delighted that the 300 mark had been topped.
Most of the latest volunteers are part of our telephone befriending service – one of several services run by us in which volunteers play a vital role. The increase is partly due to a partnership with Norfolk County Council, who are allowing their staff time out to make calls from their desks as part of their ‘In Good Company’ campaign against loneliness.
But there has also been a welcome injection of volunteers in other areas. One is the day centre at Grays Fair Court, Costessey, where the new helpers are assisting in such areas as arranging puzzles, games and generally interacting with the visitors there.
There has also been an encouraging take-up in volunteers to work in the Money Matters service run by us. We recruit and train volunteers to support older people, either in their own homes or in a care home, to deal with financial matters – managing their household finances and filling in forms, etc – in which they may not be comfortable.
All Money Matters volunteers are vetted and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked. Any retired people with the right skill sets – probably from a banking or accountancy background – are particularly welcome, and can assist with the day-to-day management of finances and help people to keep control of their money.