Volunteer Roles

Our volunteer team donate the equivalent of ten full time staff per week, working as a team with our staff to make it possible for as many older people as possible to enjoy the service we offer. If you would like to volunteer with us, we offer a range of possible roles, get in touch to find out more.

Volunteer Role Descriptions

One-to-one support

To provide assistance in our group activities with one to-one support where required. This could be anything from serving drinks, talking and listening to members and supporting someone to be involved with the activity
Training required/provided: In-house, dementia awareness, wheelchair handling, first aid and food hygiene.
When and where: Various places where any of our activities run. Approximately two hours

Hospitality

This will involve serving drinks and food, making sandwiches and washing up.
Training required/provided: In-house, food & hygiene safety.
When and where: Drop-In, Luncheon Club, monthly groups such as Sandwich and a Song and Food and a Film. Approximately two-three hours.

Room set-up

Involves preparing the room prior to our activities beginning and/or putting away afterwards. This would require you to be fit and mobile so that you are able to set up tables and chairs and stack away safely. Being reliable, trustworthy and a good time keeper is a must, as our activities are well attended, so having the room ready is important.
Training required/provided: In-house training with existing volunteers to learn correct procedure. Health and Safety Awareness.
When and where: Wherever any of our activities run. Approximately half an hour.

Reception

Working in the office, this could involve answering the phone, covering reception, face-to-face contact with our members when an activity is on, signposting to relevant agencies or member of staff. Any other office duties required, for example, photocopying, updating database or monitoring.
Training required/provided: In-house database training as well as any other relevant training.
When and where: Main Office, normally a morning or afternoon approximately two to three hours.

Trustee

Helping to guide and shape the organisation. This could involve attending board meetings, supporting strategic planning, reviewing policies and finances, and ensuring the organisation meets legal and regulatory requirements. Trustees may also represent the organisation at community events and help raise its profile.
Training required/provided: Induction, governance, and relevant role-specific training provided.
When and where: Management Committee meetings (typically quarterly), with occasional committee meetings or events.

Befriender

We visit and support housebound, lonely and socially isolated older people in their home environment within the local community, which will enable them to maintain a social link. You can offer support when visiting, through a friendly listening ear, a cup of tea and a chat and companionship. You just need to be willing to meet on a regular basis that is convenient for both parties.
Training required/provided: In- house, boundary, safeguarding, signposting and any other relevant training.
When and where: Approximately one to two hours per week in the member’s home.

Shared Table host

Welcoming and supporting members during Shared Table meals, this could involve greeting guests, helping them feel comfortable, encouraging conversation, and ensuring the session is enjoyable and inclusive.
Training required/provided: TBC (Induction and guidance on hosting members will be provided).
When and where: TBC (Sessions usually run on weekends at the booked venue).

Travel with Confidence buddy

Our Travel with Confidence service provides support to people over 50 to increase their confidence using transport and to give more opportunities for people to make journeys to the places they want to go.
Training required/provided: In-house, boundary, safeguarding, and any other relevant training.
When and where: In and around our local area, Hours are dependent on days.

Driver (minibus)

Providing transport for older people, giving them the opportunity to get out, enabling them to participate in groups and activities within the Scheme and to develop/maintain social links, for example exercise sessions, drop-In coffee mornings and other groups. You could also drive the minibus for our minibus trips, which go on days out fortnightly on Thursdays to a variety of destinations.
Training required/provided: Drivers must have a valid driving licence and receive induction and minibus-specific training as outlined in the Driver Manual.
When and where: Either in our local area for transport into groups or in a 1-hour radius if driving for minibus trips. Hours are dependent on days.

Escort – trips or regular groups

Providing support and assistance to passengers on minibus journeys or group outings. Escorts ensure that members are safe getting to, on, and off the minibus and while out on trips. They assist members with any support needs during the journey and work alongside drivers to maintain passenger safety at all times. On trips where all passengers are able-bodied and do not require support, these responsibilities fall to the driver.
Training required/provided: TBC (Induction and guidance on supporting passengers during trips will be provided).
When and where: TBC (Trips and group sessions occur at scheduled times; locations vary).

Minibus trip volunteer

To provide support to older people on trips who may require extra assistance due to reduced mobility. This may require providing assistance to push wheelchairs or any one-to-one support.
Training required/provided: Wheelchair handling, safeguarding.
When and where: Various places. It could be anything from a few hours to a full day dependent on trip.

Walk leader

To plan and lead walks in the West Yorkshire area. You will oversee the safety of the walkers, and that the group respect the countryside.
Training required/provided: In-house training with existing volunteers to learn correct procedure. Health and Safety Awareness. First Aid Training.
When and where: Various places. A typical walk lasts about 2 – 3 hours.