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, as always – please email us on info@totnescaring.org.uk for more information or any questions – as we are always pleased to hear from you. Totnes Caring recognises that without the commitment of our volunteers it would not be possible to offer our services.
If you think there are ways we can improve your volunteering experience, please let us know.
Driver Volunteers – overall purpose of the role:
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.
Totnes Caring will refund your costs at the rate of 45p per mile and provide on-going support in your role.
Memory Café Volunteers – overall purpose of the role:
This runs every Thursday from 2-4pm and the overall purpose of 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 – overall purpose of the role:
To contribute to Totnes Caring’s aim to support vulnerable people to live as independently as possible in the community, by delivering the Lunch Club which brings them together, reducing social isolation.
The Club takes place on a Monday (except Bank Holidays) in the bistro at Quayside Guinness Trust, Steamer Quay Rd. Beginning about 12.30. Volunteers need to arrive before 12.15 pm in case some Lunch Club attendees arrive early and leave when attendees have safely departed, 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 among 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.
Lunch Club (Lunch and Laughs) Volunteer – overall purpose of the role:
To contribute to Totnes Caring’s aim to reduce social isolation for people living with memory loss by bringing them together at the Lunch Club.
The Lunch Club (Lunch and Laughs) takes place in The Bistro at Quayside Guinness Trust, Steamer Quay Rd every Wednesday. Lunch Club runs from 12.15pm – 1.45pm. Volunteers need to arrive at 12 noon in case some Lunch Club attendees arrive early and leave when attendees have safely departed.
Specific Tasks –
- To welcome Lunch Club attendees into The Bistro and to ensure that they are seated safely.
- To make menus available and, where necessary, assist attendees in selecting what they would like to eat. Fill in the order form and then order all food at the counter.
- At the end of lunch service, a member of The Bistro staff will bring the Card Reader to the table. The Lunch Club Volunteer to assist attendees with payment of their lunch – either by cash or card. To pay for lunches using the ‘kitty’ for those attendees who do not handle money. A member of Totnes Caring staff will invoice separately at a later date.
- To facilitate an open, friendly, safe, supportive atmosphere amongst the attendees, chatting with them as appropriate, particularly those who seem more isolated.
- To welcome new Lunch Club members in particular, orientating them to the venue, including toilets and fire exits.
Volunteers coming by car can use Long Marsh car park just beyond Quayside (no parking available at Quayside) and claim their parking expenses. Please ask a member of Totnes Caring staff if you need any help with this.
Shopping Volunteer – overall purpose of the role:
To contribute to Totnes Caring’s aim to support 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 - overall purpose of the role:
To contribute to Totnes Caring’s aim to support vulnerable people to live as independently as possible in the community, by delivering events which bring them together, reducing social isolation and enhancing wellbeing.
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 - overall purpose of the role:
To contribute to Totnes Caring’s aim to support vulnerable people to live as independently as possible in the community, by delivering events which bring them together, reducing social isolation and enhancing wellbeing.
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.