Role Outline: out of Hospital Volunteer

Volunteering Opportunities March 2017

Role outline: Out of Hospital Volunteer

As an Out of Hospital volunteer you will deliver one-to-one support and help provide that continuity of contact which will help to build client confidence over the longer- term. The nature of the support you offer will have been discussed with you following a home visit from one of the OOH trained Community Support Coordinators, but could include:

. Following up with the service-user on an agreed course of action that they have committed to e.g. arranging an eye test . Encouraging them with a lost hobby or interest. . Discussing ways of connecting them with their communities

We aim to rebuild the user’s confidence and independence so your role may include accompanying them on a short walk, driving and accompanying them on a shopping trip, assisting them with outstanding correspondence or maybe helping them to contact friends and neighbours again. It does not include personal care such as bathing, dressing or toileting.

Hours: This is an ongoing service – but you will be asked to support each client for a maximum of 4 consecutive weeks, on a day and time to be agreed between you and the service-user.

Where: In the client’s home

. Commitment: A regular weekly commitment is hoped for whilst you are engaged with the client. You will be need to record your visits on a client record log and submit this to the OOH Administrative team once visits are complete. . You will be offered any relevant training and will be invited to quarterly informal OOH volunteer meetings. . You will liaise closely with the Community Support Worker who undertook the original home visit and made the original referral to you for your ongoing support

Skills required: . A willingness to engage with older people . Patience and empathy and the ability to deal sensitively with all service users . Good communication skills . Reliability . Understanding the need for confidentiality . Sense of humour Preferably, availability of a car to get to clients and potentially to transport clients if identified as part of their support plan (please note that we will always try to allocate volunteers as close to their locality

Reporting to: Duncan Thomas Out of Hospital Service Manager Meeters & Greeters - Engage @ GL3 Community Hub (Churchdown)

Role outline: We need people to meet customers and help them feel welcomed, safe and happy over a cuppa and a chat before they embark on their day's activity.

Also required is support post-lunch (12.30 - 2pm) to assist with getting people onto mini-buses for activities in the community.

Hours: 9-11am & 12.30 - 2pm (Mon - Fri)

Skills Required:  A willingness to engage with older people  Patience and empathy and the ability to deal sensitively with all service users.  Able to work as part of a team dedicated to delivering an excellent service.  Good communication skills  Reliability  Understanding the need for confidentiality  Sense of humour  An awareness of safeguarding and safety

Reporting to: Kate Lewington (Connect Manager) Social activity group volunteers ‘Engage’@ GL3 Community hub (Churchdown, Gloucester)

Role outline: Based at the GL3 Community Hub in Churchdown (Glos) our service users can enjoy a variety of both 'out and about' and venue-based activity.

Engage is open to all older people living in Gloucestershire. Whether you are someone living with dementia, you experience physical, sight, or hearing problems, or you're fit and healthy and you simply want to come along for company, we'll give you the right level of support to enable you to enjoy your day.

Being at The Hub means that when you join us you will feel very much part of the community and it's a great place for you to meet, socialise and access a variety of different activities.

Engage – at GL3 Community Hub - Monday - Friday

Regular activities within GL3 hub:

Rolling programme of quizzes, word games, and musical activities daily. Table top games – dominoes, cards,

Tuesdays and Thursdays - Arts and crafts/cookery group

Wednesday mornings – current affairs group

Fridays 11.30am – 12 midday – Falls prevention exercise with trained leader

Gardening group – days vary

Art Group – days vary

Regular activities in the community:

Monday afternoons – Tea Dance

Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings – skittles

Thursday morning – Tewkesbury social club – men’s group, skittles, darts, pool etc.

There is also a trip out every afternoon. Places visited – Forest of Dean, Tewkesbury Marina, Saul Junction, Prinknash Abbey, Staverton Airport, Crickley Hill, and others. They always take with them tea, coffee and ice cream!

Reporting to: Kate Lewington (Connect Manager) Information & Advice Home visiting volunteer

Role outline: Age UK Gloucestershire’s Information and Advice (I&A) service provides information and advice to older people on matters such as welfare benefits, health and social care, housing and local services. The service is delivered from our office in Station Rd Gloucester between 10am- 3pm Monday – Friday.

Helping older people to claim Attendance Allowance is one of the most important functions of an Age UK I&A service. Attendance Allowance is a benefit that can be claimed by older people with health problems who require support and care at home to be able to remain living independently. The form is quite lengthy and to fill it in well you need a thorough understanding of how the benefit works. Because of this older people are either often put off claiming or do not receive the benefit even though their health problems would suggest they should be entitled to it.

Key responsibilities  Interviewing older people and their carers or family about their health and care needs  Completing Attendance Allowance claim forms for clients  Providing guidance to clients on ‘next steps’ to be taken after the completion of an Attendance Allowance claim form to progress their application  Completing records of client interventions and liaising with key staff at Age UK Gloucestershire I&A service  You may also be responsible for arranging appointments to visit clients in their own homes and keeping Age UK Gloucestershire I&A service informed of these arrangements.

In this volunteering role, you will be involved in helping the I&A service support older people to claim Attendance Allowance, which will help support them to live independently.

Where: You will either visit clients in their own homes or complete forms at Age UK Gloucestershire main office or outreach facility. Training and supervision are included with meetings at Age UK Gloucestershire main office.

When: Flexible around your availability, but a willingness to attend training and support sessions and provide at least one form filling session per week (approximately 2–3 hours) would be hoped for. Information & Advice Home visiting volunteer (continued)

Previous experience and role requirements Full training and on-going support will be provided. This role would suit somebody with Previous experience of completing complex forms or supporting individuals with complex needs. People who have previously worked in the public sector for example the local council, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Health Service, the emergency services or in a regulated care setting, would be particularly suited to the role. Any potential volunteer will need to be able to demonstrate:

 Strong literacy and basic numeracy skills  The ability to understand written information and explain things clearly  A commitment to ensuring that customers are provided with accurate, relevant and timely information and support  the ability to write clear notes and records  A methodical and orderly approach  An open-minded approach to individuals  Empathy and patience

Reporting to: Helen Atkinson (Navigate Manager) Information & Advice Office benefits form support

Role outline: Age UK Gloucestershire’s Information and Advice (I&A) service provides information and advice to older people on matters such as welfare benefits, health and social care, housing and local services. The service is delivered from our office in Station Rd Gloucester between 10am- 3pm Monday – Friday.

Helping older people to complete welfare benefit applications and other types of documentation (e.g. charitable grant forms and housing applications) is an important function of an Age UK I&A service. Many older people struggle with such forms for several reasons – because of the complexity of the forms, issues related to failing health (poor sight, arthritis in their hands, struggling to concentrate, etc.), because they never learned to read or write or because they do not have the IT skills to complete online applications. As a result, older people often do not receive money or services that they have a legal right or entitlement to.

In this volunteer role you will be involved in assisting older people to complete a range of different forms at Age UK Gloucestershire’s I&A office. Training, induction and support will be provided.

Key responsibilities  Completing forms and applications through face-to-face appointments with older people and their carers or family  Providing guidance to clients on ‘next steps’ to be taken after the completion of a form or online application to enable a successful outcome (e.g. explaining any documentation they may need to send with an application form and the deadline for sending a form)  Completing records of client interventions and liaising with key staff and volunteers at Age UK [location] I&A service.

Where: Based at: Age UK Gloucestershire main office

When: Flexible around your availability, but a willingness to attend training and support sessions. Information & Advice Office benefits form support (continued)

Previous experience and role requirements This role would suit somebody with previous experience of completing complex forms or supporting individuals with complex needs. People who have previously worked in the public sector, for example the local council, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Health Service, the emergency services or in a regulated care setting would be particularly suited to the role. Any potential volunteer will need to be able to demonstrate:

 Strong literacy and basic numeracy skills  The ability to understand written information and explain things clearly  A commitment to ensuring that customers are provided with accurate, relevant and timely information and support  the ability to write clear notes and records  A methodical and orderly approach

Reporting to: Helen Atkinson (Navigate Manager) Reception volunteers (Based at 26 Station Road, Gloucester)

Role outline: As reception support you will assist the full time reception staff in their duties. This includes:

 Answering the telephone and put the caller through to the appropriate department.

 Take messages and answer and send emails.

 Take bookings for the meeting room

 Open incoming post and date stamp. Use the franking machine for outgoing post if you feel confident to do so.

 Take general enquiries face to face from general public in reception.

 Cover for lunch breaks etc

You will not be left alone on reception until you feel confident to do so.

Skills required:

 Previous reception experience preferred or willingness to train.

 Able to use a computer to send and receive emails. Familiar with outlook.

 Able to talk to and engage with members of the public from all walks of life.

 Patience and empathy– we often have customers with disabilities, including speech and hearing difficulties.

 Good communication skills

 Sense of humour

Hours: Varied days 9-1 or 10 – 2pm

Reporting to: Helen Atkinson (Navigate Manager) Gloucester Life Changes – Navigation Volunteers

Role outline: Age UK Gloucestershire, British Red Cross and CRUSE will be working in partnership to support people in the Gloucester area who are facing a significant ‘life change’ (losing a partner, a significant illness etc). Together we aim to provide practical and emotional support to help individuals adjust to their new situation. This multi-agency approach will focus on helping people overcome practical issues and then regain their confidence and self-esteem through heightened periods of anxiety and depression.

You will visit people in their own homes over a 12 week period providing support, reassurance and information to help individuals navigate their way through this difficult period of their lives.

Your role is as an enabler - to promote and stimulate interest in regaining a healthy and positive life and you will support people on this journey. Your role will require varied input, from accompanying people to appointments or activities to just listening over a cup of tea and suggesting opportunities or signposting to other agencies.

Skills required:

 A willingness to engage with older people and issues arising from a time of significant challenge  Patience, empathy and the ability to deal sensitively with a multitude of issues  Good communication skills  Reliability  Understanding the need for confidentiality  Knowledge of local services (although this will be included in training)  Sense of humour

Hours: Varied to suit around a 12 week commitment

Reporting to: Stephen Moore - Life Changes Service Co-ordinator Physical activity coaches (over 50's)

Role outline: Age UK Gloucestershire and GL1 Leisure Centre are organising a range of physical activity for the over 50's in Gloucestershire from October 2016. Together we hope to create greater access at affordable prices that will encourage older people in our communities to 'give it a go'. Our aim is to make Gloucestershire one of the best counties in which to grow old, reduce social isolation and have a great deal of fun along the way!

Our funding for the year ahead (Oct 2016 - Oct 2017) requires us to recruit volunteers who are themselves over 50 and we are looking for people who will help us make these activities sustainable through their enthusiasm and energy.

We want to create social groups through physical activity and a place that people want to come to. We need people who are outgoing and interested in physical activity/sports, but most of all we need people with the enthusiasm to create a real buzz around our provision with a view to carrying it forward with our support.

Volunteers for this project need to be 50 plus (Funding specification for 2016-2017). You will have access to free training through Active Gloucestershire and all out of pocket expenses will be paid (e.g. mileage)

All activity will take place at GL1 Leisure Centre, Bruton Way, Gloucester.

Skills required:

 An interest in physical activity/sports

 Good communication skills  Reliability  Enthusiasm

 Patience and empathy

 Sense of humour

Hours: A varied timetable and we’ll work around your availability

Reporting to: Chris Walker (Volunteering & Partnerships Manager) Clean Sweep Plus – Assessment support volunteers

Role outline - We need volunteers to help support our Clean Sweep Plus team in making assessments of its customer's domestic support requirements. It will involve asking a set of questions and filling out an assessment form so that we can ascertain the best support for our customers. You will then liaise with the office where a support plan will be initiated from the details that you have provided. Hours are varied to suit you and we will endeavour to keep travelling at a minimum. Training will be provided and expenses paid. Where – Throughout Gloucestershire

Skills required:

 A willingness to engage with older people and issues arising from a time of significant challenge  Patience, empathy and the ability to deal sensitively with a multitude of issues  Good communication skills  Reliability  Understanding the need for confidentiality  A good eye for detail Hours: Flexible to suit. Agreed visits between the customer’s and your availability.

Reporting to: Jeanette Hotchkins (CSP Manager) Computer tutors – Magic Mouse

Role outline - Magic Mouse is a team of volunteers who want to help older people get online and make the most of the internet. The Magic Mouse service is aimed at anyone over 50 and new (or newish) to computers. Our sessions are informal, fun and friendly. We aim to build people’s IT confidence so that they can make the first steps in computing and enjoy both the economic and social benefits that the internet offers. Magic Mouse is a team of volunteers who want to help older people get online and make the most of the internet. The Magic Mouse service is aimed at anyone over 50 and new (or newish) to computers. Our sessions are informal, fun and friendly. We aim to build people’s IT confidence so that they can make the first steps in computing and enjoy both the economic and social benefits that the internet offers.

As a Magic Mouse volunteer you will deliver one-to-one sessions. The sessions will be aimed at beginners or improvers and cover the basics of computing which includes mouse and keyboard skills, internet, email, staying safe online. You will also need to keep records of your sessions, complete a monthly timesheet, attend quarterly volunteer meetings and occasional training sessions.

Where - Magic Mouse computer sessions take place at Age UK Gloucestershire’s offices at 26 Station Rd, Gloucester, libraries around the county, or in the customer’s own home. We are keen to provide extra support in Cheltenham & the Forest of Dean areas.

When - Sessions take place Monday to Friday during office hours.

Commitment - A regular weekly commitment of 2 – 3 hours is hoped for. Times and hours to be agreed around your availability.

 Skills required - Good up-to-date computer  Experience or knowledge interest in tablet  Experience of using the internet computers  InterestConfidence, in developments enthusiasm andin technology ability to deal sympathetically, patiently and sensitively with all customers  Good communication skills  Reliability  Understanding the need for confidentiality  Sense of humour Reporting to - Kate Lewington, Connect Manager

Fundraisers & promotional support

It’s serious business, but we want to make it fun!

Role outline: We are hoping to develop greater awareness of Age UK Gloucestershire’s work within the county and develop some structure around how we can increase our unrestricted income which will allow us to do more and support core functions that are currently unfunded.

We would like to create a forum of staff, trustees, partners, volunteers and other community members who meet and engage in discussion around these issues leading to action and activity.

If this is your area of expertise or you fancy trying something new and feel you have the qualities to help us make a difference, then please contact me.

All expressions of interest to be directed to Chris Walker 01452 422660 or email [email protected]