IndependentAge volunteers – bringing friendship and support to older people
We need volunteers to give the special friendship that is at the heart of our work.
Could you spare a few hours to visit an older person?
Many older people are isolated and forced to cope alone with financial and personal worries. They may have no-one to turn to for company and support.
Our volunteer visitors provide a constant source of friendship which is valued just as highly as the financial help we give. This special contact makes the people we help feel part of the IndependentAge family. It may be the only family they have.
Visit someone who would love to talk to you
Mrs Karen Collins, a volunteer in Basingstoke, has made firm friends with the people that she visits. "There's plenty of laughter and the most important thing is to be there as a friend"
"When you are on your own, little difficulties can become too much to cope with. Talking things through is such a help."
How you can help
• by keeping in contact with local IndependentAge beneficiaries and visiting a few times a year
• by providing a friendly voice on the telephone
• by raising awareness locally of the help IndependentAge offers
• by joining in with vital fundraising activities
Just a few hours a month is all you need to make a difference
You will be supported by a local IndependentAge Representative and meet up with other volunteers in your area from time to time.
If you would like more information, please email our Care Director,
Nicholas Tuck or telephone 020 7605 4200.
We would love to hear from you!
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Volunteer with The Prince’s Trust
The Prince’s Trust helps young people to overcome barriers and get their lives working. It gives young people a chance in life. Through practical support including training, mentoring and financial assistance, it helps 14-30 year-olds to realise their potential and transform their lives. The Trust focuses its efforts on young people who struggle at school, are in or leaving care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law. The Prince's Trust has supported almost half a million people since it was founded in 1976. Last year it supported more than 33,000 young people. The Trust has around 10,000 volunteers who deliver much of its work.
Since we work closely with young people, we need to be sure that all our volunteers are committed to our aims and values. We are interested in your experience and skills, in both personal and professional life. Formal qualifications are not required. Above all, we look for:
- Patience
- Understanding
- A genuine interest in helping young people
- A non-judgemental attitude
- Willingness to listen and learn
- Commitment
- Reliability
We also need to know something of your background, so that we can use your skills and experience in the best possible way. Recruitment of volunteers is a two-way process and neither you nor The Trust is expected to make a commitment until an appointment is made.
All prospective volunteers are asked to complete a Volunteer Application Form to give us your contact details and some personal information. You are asked to provide the names and addresses of two referees who can comment on your qualities and attributes in respect of our requirements. Prosepctive volunteers are then invited for an informal interview with someone from The Prince’s Trust, where you will be able to discuss in detail what’s involved. You will also be asked to complete a Self-Declaration Form and for some roles a Criminal Records Bureau check is also required.
Before starting a volunteering role you will need to attend training sessions to gain an insight into the work that The Trust does, your role as a volunteer, and the young people we work with.
We understand that some people have more time to give than others, that circumstances may change and that some volunteers will have less experience than others in working with young people. We will try wherever possible to match what you can offer with what The Trust needs in each area.
For further information, or for an informal discussion, please contact your nearest Prince’s Trust office on 0800 842 842.
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Applications for new magistrates
Have you ever thought of undertaking volunteer work in the community?
Why not become a magistrate?
You don’t need legal experience or qualifications to serve as a magistrate – they come from every imaginable background.
You do need to be aged between 18-65 and able to sit for a minimum of 26 half days each year. Magistrates aren’t paid, but many employers allow time off with Pay, or you can claim a loss of earnings allowance. We welcome applications from all sectors of the community, especially those currently under-represented in the magistracy – ladies, younger people and people from ethnic minority groups.
To find out more, call 0800 003 007 or go to www.magistrates.gov.uk.
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