Volunteering

Quote

“Volunteers are not paid; not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless!”

~ Chairman, Abbeyfield Yarmouth Society Ltd.

What is volunteering?

We believe older people deserve meaningful relationships, personal choice, and as much control over their lives as possible. Our volunteers believe that too! We have volunteers from all walks of life that give up their free time, unpaid, to get involved in many different projects that are aimed at keeping residents happy and making houses fun places to live.

Why People Volunteer

People volunteer for a variety of reasons:

To help others
To use existing skills or learn new ones
To gain experience
To do something different
To meet new people
To enhance their CV
To have fun
Volunteer Management

For volunteers to benefit from their involvement with Abbeyfield, it is helpful that this range of motivations is understood and we bear this in mind when making volunteer placements.

Volunteers expect to be treated as valued members of the Abbeyfield team. They are offered the same management and support as we offer our staff. Volunteers are also offered on-going training which is appropriate to their role.

How you can help

Some of our residents need nothing more than a chat with a friend, while others need a little more help - for instance, with their shopping or getting to the doctor. You may even want to get involved in bigger projects, like organising social events and fundraising.

One of the great things about helping older people is that every day is different! Whatever volunteer role you choose, you can expect to have a variety of experiences.

If you think we sound like the kind of organisation that you want to help then we would love to hear from you. Call Us 01983 760612!

Volunteers are a crucial part of the Abbeyfield family at Abbeyfield Yarmouth Society Ltd, no matter how much or how little time you can give.

Volunteer Opportunities

You might be surprised to find out how many different volunteering opportunities we have and that we encourage volunteers to use as much or as little creativity as they want.

Skills-based volunteering

Skills-based volunteers come to us from a range of backgrounds and are often looking to improve their existing skills or try their hand at something completely new. As a skilled volunteer, we would use your specialised talents whilst tailoring a specific volunteer role to meet your needs.

How you can help

We have a range of skills-based roles available including marketing, fundraising and volunteer management. However, if you have a skill that does not fit into one of our current vacancies then we would still be very interested in talking to you.

Many of our skilled volunteers can do their work from home, but if you did need to travel then we are happy to reimburse your out-of-pocket expenses.

The great thing about being a skills-based volunteer is that you will often get the opportunity to complete a project from start to finish with measurable results. Having the chance to apply your talents in a new environment, you will get to see the real difference that you make to a very worthy cause.

Hands-on volunteering

Many volunteers have a direct impact on our residents’ lives by volunteering in one of our houses. Some simply come in to have a chat with residents, whilst others organise social outings or even teach residents how to use iPads.

There are many hands-on volunteer roles available on our volunteer opportunities page, including befriending and gardening. If you are a people person, looking to develop new friendships with residents and other like-minded volunteers, then hands-on volunteering could be ideal for you.

The beauty of being a hands-on volunteer is that every day is different. Whether you come in everyday or just on a monthly basis, you will collect a wide range of experiences, which will continue to grow as you become more familiar with the residents.

You will become a part of the house and will help to complement the work that the staff already do. The great thing about being a hands-on volunteer is that you will really get to see the difference that you make to residents’ lives.

Short-term volunteering

As a short-term volunteer you will initially help us for up to 12 weeks, with the option of continuing to volunteer afterwards. This type of volunteer work is ideal for both younger volunteers who may, for example, be completing their Duke of Edinburgh Awards or an under-graduate looking for a project, and professionals who are taking a career break.

Short-term volunteering will provide you with the opportunity to complete a task from start to finish, even if you are a bit short of time. By developing projects that have a clear aim, it will be easy for you to articulate to friends, family or future employers how you have made a difference in such a limited space of time.

Trustee

Abbeyfield Yarmouth Society Ltd Trustees have a range of skills and experience which allow them to help the house develop and grow. Trustees enhance the lives of older people and provide for the long term viability of the house. This includes:

Determining the strategic direction of the Charity.
Providing leadership and oversight over the Charity’s activities and setting robust frameworks to ensure efficient operations control and delivery of services.
Ensuring that the local community are aware of the Charity and what they do.
Maintaining good records of the business.
Ensuring all legal and regulatory compliance

Social Media Co-ordinator

Identify online groups/forums/websites used by older people where there is the potential to promote Abbeyfield.
Create and write blogs that will raise the profile of Abbeyfield.
Use the social platforms of Facebook and Twitter to keep followers posted on exciting Abbeyfield news in the local area.

Fundraising Co-ordinator

Attend local fundraising events and help organise in-house promotional events.
Establish links with local community groups, businesses, local media and possible donors.
Co-ordinate the production of fundraising materials.

Buddy

Build a friendship with an Abbeyfield resident.
Encourage residents to pursue existing interests and try out new hobbies.
Escort residents on shopping trips, doctors’ appointments, hair dressers etc

PR and Event Co-ordinator

Co-ordinate publicity and bookings for events.
Attend promotional events that could benefit Abbeyfield.
Supervise the production and distribution of publicity brochures, handouts, leaflets and photographs to promote the event.
Respond to, and keep the office informed of, enquiries from the public, media and other organisations.

Community Ambassador

Engage with local community groups, schools and churches.
Actively seek out and attend community events that could raise the profile of Abbeyfield.
Help organise events that the local community could be invited to.

Social Club and Activity Planner

Enhance the wellbeing of residents by organising a social club based on residents’ input.
Social clubs could include: a book club, film club, gardening group.
Promote the social club amongst Abbeyfield residents.
Research activities that residents would enjoy and work with the Housekeeper and staff.

Gardeners

Help houses with the maintenance of their gardens.
Consult the staff and residents on what flowers they would like to see in the garden.
Ensure that the garden is kept clean and tidy.
Liaise with the Housekeeper on the funding for the maintenance of the garden.
Encourage residents to use the garden and to become involved in its maintenance.

Get in Contact

It is simple. Have a look at the volunteer vacancies and apply using the contact us form online. If you are not sure what you are interested in, still contact us and we will, together, identify areas of skills where you can help.

You will be invited to have a chat with the Chairman who will involve the Housekeeper and discuss volunteer roles and find out more about the house and its residents.

We will send off for a 2 references and a Disclosure and Barring System (DBS) check too. This is a simple process which we do on your behalf. Once we have these back you will be free to start volunteering.

Email us about getting started at enquiriesthecoachhouse@gmail.com or give us a call on 01983 760612 about getting started as a volunteer.