Volunteering

VOLUNTEERS – We Need You!

We simply could not do what we do without our amazing volunteers….their time, energy, and enthusiasm are at the heart of everything we achieve, and without them, we would be unable to support the people who rely on our charity.

As we continue to grow, we are looking for more volunteers to join us across a range of roles  from befriending and shopping, to driving and supporting our group activities. Whatever time you can offer, it truly makes a difference.

If you have friends, family, or colleagues who might be interested, please do share this message with them.

Volunteering really is a win–win: not only do you help others, but you gain a sense of purpose, connection, and the simple joy of making someone’s day a little brighter.

Thank you in advance for your support 🙂 

Being a volunteer for Totnes Caring is a tremendously rewarding experience and the volunteer roles we have are multiple and varied. The role descriptions below will give you some idea of the unique tasks for each one and how you can be involved however please do either call us on 01803 865684 or email us on info@totnescaring.org.uk for more information or if you have any questions as we are always delighted to hear from you.

Without the commitment of our wonderful volunteers it would not be possible for us to offer these invaluable services to the community.   

If you think there are ways we can improve your volunteering experience, please do let us know.

Befriending:

A very uplifting and rewarding role, through speaking with Vanessa a member of the TC team you will be carefully matched with a client who you will see up to six times. The aim is to help them build confidence and independence, and to signpost activities and the help that is available should they need it. You are there to accompany clients when appropriate as they move forwards, and most importantly you are there to listen.

In the words of one of our befriender’s:

“In reality it is a mutually beneficial relationship. My clients have been a joy to work with. Although coping with different life events and having to rebuild and restructure a new way forward , their resilience, good humour and warmth is infectious. I feel privileged to be part of that process.”

Volunteer Drivers:

The overall purpose of Totnes Caring to support people to live as independently as possible by combatting loneliness and isolation and maintaining their health and wellbeing.  The role of our volunteer drivers is to assist people to attend health appointment and our activities within the community.

Our volunteer drivers can do as much or as little as they wish, at times that are convenient to them.

  • To collect one or two clients from their homes and drive them to health appointments or activities
  • To phone clients in advance of picking them up to confirm arrangements.
  • To assist with getting in and out of the car safely, and safely back to their home.
  • To inform the Totnes Caring office of any concerns you may have

We need drivers to take people to/from our activities, generally on Mondays, and Thursday afternoons (Memory Café) and to health appointments throughout the week.

Please note that Totnes Caring will refund your costs at the rate of 45p per mile and provide on-going support in your role.

Memory Café Volunteers: 

The Memory Café volunteer role is to contribute to creating a welcoming, safe, friendly environment which supports all people living with dementia to participate as fully as possible in activities, along with their carers and friends.  All volunteers share responsibility for preparing for the cafe and clearing up afterwards, and ensuring the health and safety of our clients. You are also requested to inform the co-ordinator if you cannot come at a time you usually volunteer.

While specific tasks do exist, the value of simply chatting with, and supporting people living with dementia to participate in activities cannot be stressed strongly enough.

  • Welcoming at the Door – Putting out welcome sign, opening and closing external gates as needed, welcoming clients, assisting those with mobility difficulties.
  •  Welcome Table – Welcoming all clients and visitors, distributing and collecting name badges, recording attendance, informing the co-ordinator of new clients, taking attendance records outside if there is an emergency evacuation.
  •  Kitchen – Preparing and distributing drinks and biscuits for clients, clearing up leaving the kitchen clean and tidy, informing the co-ordinator of new supplies needed.
  • Raffle -Selling tickets, preparing for the raffle – bringing prizes and buying tickets is optional for attendees.
  • Activities – Supporting those leading activities.  Volunteers with specific skills, e.g. musical, reminiscence, etc. are very welcome to lead activities.
  • Skills development

All new memory café volunteers are expected to attend dementia awareness training, and may also be offered other training from time to time e.g. health and safety, first aid.

Lunch Club Volunteer:

Totnes Caring’s aim is to support vulnerable people to live as independently as possible in the community. The Lunch Club is perfect in that it brings them all together encouraging social interaction over a meal and thereby reducing social isolation.

The Club takes place in the bistro at Quayside Guinness Trust, Steamer Quay Rd every Monday. It begins at 12.30 so volunteers need to arrive before 12.15 pm in case some Lunch Club attendees arrive early and leave when attendees have safely departed, at approximately 1.45 pm

Specific Tasks –

  • To ensure that the space for Lunch Club is prepared and ready.
  • To welcome Lunch Club attendees at the front door of Quayside and to assist those who need help to their seats.
  • To make menus available and then sit and complete the order forms with attendees and, where necessary, assist attendees in selecting what they would like to eat.
  • To deliver the order forms to the staff as soon as possible, then re-use the completed order forms to assist with both food distribution and payments.
  • To pay the Bistro from the float, should an attendee forget money/card, put the Bistro receipt with the float and recover the money at the next lunch club.
  • To facilitate an open, friendly, safe, supportive atmosphere amongst the attendees, chatting with them as appropriate, particularly those who seem more isolated.
  • To ensure that all attendees depart Quayside safely.
  • To particularly welcome new Lunch Club members, orientating them to the venue, including toilets and fire exits.
  • Volunteers coming by car will need to use Long Marsh car park just beyond Quayside and claim their parking expenses. Please ask a member of staff if you need any help with this.
  • Skills development
  • All volunteers are expected to attend any relevant training arranged from time to time.

Shopping Volunteer:  

Shopping for individuals is an invaluable way in which Totnes Caring enables vulnerable people to live as independently as possible in the community, by delivering shopping to their home.

Specific Tasks –

  • Shopping is usually a regular weekly arrangement, we also need volunteers to stand in due to holidays and illness.
  • Shopping arrangements are specific to the individual and agreed upon through the office.
  • You will receive the list, either in person or by email.
  • Get two receipts from the shop: leave one with the client, keep one for your own records, email a photograph of the shopping receipt to the office for reimbursement
  • Deliver the shopping to the home at the agreed time
  • Let staff known if you notice anything of concern when visiting the client.
  • Keep staff up to date with your availability.
  • Skills development
  • All volunteers are expected to attend any relevant training arranged from time to time.

 

Events Volunteer:  

By delivering events which bring people together, reducing social isolation and enhancing well being is another way in which we can help support lonely and vulnerable people.

Specific Tasks  –

Our events require volunteer support in varied and changing set of tasks, these can include:

  • Encouraging a welcoming, supportive atmosphere were clients feel at ease
  • Engaging clients in conversation and providing a listening ear
  • Setting up and down chairs and tables etc.
  • Serving tea, coffee and snacks
  • Making opportunities accessible to clients, e.g. participation in playing percussion instruments, games etc.
  • Skills development
  • All volunteers are expected to attend any relevant training arranged from time to time.

 

Art Group Volunteer :

The Art Group is a well attended and popular group run by Claire Allford who is a great inspiration to them all. Helping with this event is another way which brings people together, reducing social isolation and enhancing well being.

Specific Tasks  –

  • Setting up and down chairs, tables and art supplies
  • Encouraging a welcoming, supportive atmosphere were clients feel at ease
  • Engaging clients in conversation and providing a listening ear
  • Supporting quiet times in sessions
  • Serving tea, coffee and snacks
  • Offering practical help as appropriate to clients
  • Encouraging an emphasis on enjoyment of the process, above creating finished products
  • Skills development
  • All volunteers are expected to attend any relevant training arranged from time to time.