Sharing Time Volunteer

Volunteer role: Sharing Time Volunteer

Key contact: Area Organiser

Location: Usually at ‘matched’ service user’s home address

Time Commitment: Minimum of one hour per week

DBS check level: Enhanced level check

Age: over 18 due insurance requirements

Role Purpose

To offer support to those who find themselves isolated and lonely in later life, by offering time, friendship, and support.

Skills/Abilities and experience beneficial to the role

A real desire to make a difference to older people’s lives but you may also have:

• An ability to work with older individuals together with an enthusiastic and friendly approach

• An understanding of the need for company to reduce social isolation for older individuals

• An ability to recognise issues concerning the client’s health, wellbeing and quality of life and feedback to Age UK

• Be reliable and committed to older individuals and the charity, with the ability to empathise and engage with the individuals from all walks of life, regardless of cultural or social background.

Tasks/responsibilities

The below list is an example of the tasks required in the role of Sharing Time volunteer; not all tasks will be required, and it is up to the service user and the volunteer to decide how they would like to spend time together:

• Sharing conversation, encouraging reminiscing, looking at photos

• Listening to music/the radio and sharing conversations about it

• Watching a TV or film together

• Playing board games or doing a crossword puzzle together

• Making or accepting a cup of tea/beverages

• Helping to fill out a form if confident to do so, posting a letter

Training Required

Age UK CAP induction training is mandatory, and you cannot start your role until you have completed this training. There may be additional service specific training required. All volunteers are encouraged to attend volunteer meetings to share experiences and receive training and support from Age UK Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.