Help at Home Volunteer

Ferryhill, Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor, Sedgefield, Peterlee, Seaham, Consett, Crook/Willington, Chester le Street, Newton Aycliffe, Stanley

Our Help at Home service provides a reliable and tailored service to support older people to remain safe and happy in their own home. The scheme offers help with small, practical jobs to make life easier and safer around the home, garden maintenance or shopping support. The project will build relationships between volunteers and clients so that while a lightbulb is being changed a cup of tea and a chat can also be shared. This provides an often much-needed interaction for an older person and the volunteer alike. Similarly, by helping an older person a volunteer not only offers the solution to a practical task but the opportunity to get out and have a change of scenery themselves.

Responsibilities

Social support services within a client’s home following an agreed support plan. These services will assist to prevent social isolation, improve wellbeing and maintain independence. The role may include handyman services (putting up curtain poles, hanging pictures and mirrors, securing safety rails, small decorating and other DIY tasks) and gardening support (grass cutting, weeding, pruning), it doe not include the provision of personal care to clients.




Skills & Qualities

Personal qualities most suited to this role
• Practical DIY and gardening skills
• Dependable and trustworthy
• Have an outgoing personality and enjoy meeting new people
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• A liking for and empathy with older people
• An understanding of the feelings and needs for older people
• An open-minded and non-judgemental approach
• Willingness to undertake training

When & Where?

We provide a flexible and supportive experience where volunteers can fit their volunteering around other commitments on a regular or ad hoc basis, which can be in the daytime or the evening and during the week. You will be working within clients homes or gardens. Opportunities are available across County Durham.

Training and Support Offered/Expenses

You will receive ongoing training and support from our Volunteer Coordinators. The organisation provides appropriate insurance for all volunteers whilst they are undertaking their role. Travel expenses are available and will be paid up to a pre-agreed limit.

Volunteer Benefits

Being a Help at Home volunteer is a very rewarding experience. Your donation of time, no matter how small is greatly valued and appreciated as it makes a significant difference to the life of a vulnerable person. Our Volunteers say they get an enormous sense of achievement in doing something useful that wouldn’t get done without their help. In addition, they get the opportunity to use their talents and explore their capabilities.

Other Information

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups. This volunteer role may be subject to a DBS check.

Age UK County Durham Logo
Age UK County Durham More information
Hours: Flexible Type: Gardening, Older People, DIY/Odd Jobs

Apply now

Please sign in or register to apply for this opportunity.