Volunteer - Elderly Companion

**About the Role**

Creating Connections is an exciting prevention service for those aged 65 and over. It aims to reduce loneliness and isolation in Worthing through companionship, shared interests, and community participation. It is hoped, that by reducing social isolation and loneliness, we can contribute to supporting people to remain living independently, for as long as possible.

The groups and sessions are friendly and welcoming, and we provide a monthly program of activities for people to attend and enjoy.

Central to the service is the help of our wonderful volunteers. You can read more about the opportunities below.

**What will I be doing? - Tasks & Duties**

We need volunteers to help us with:

- Setting up and running of our group activities with our staff team and volunteers.
- Welcoming and hosting our members
- Setting up rooms and activities
- Helping our members to take part in and enjoy an activity
- Helping to serve teas, coffee’s and refreshments
- Helping with the clearing up and washing up
- Interacting with our members
- In some circumstances, taking the lead in the running of our groups with staff members like the book club or painting /art group or a social history/discussion group.

We are interested in hearing your ideas too and welcome people with a positive and can-do attitude.

We are looking for friendly and reliable people who:

- Have great listening skills and an ability to communicate with a range of different people
- Can empathise with older people who are feeling lonely or isolated
- Have a non-judgemental attitude and are accepting of people's differences
- Have some knowledge of local services in Worthing area
- Can maintain confidentiality and comply with appropriate policies
- Can work unsupervised in the local community (support and training will be provided)
- Can provide satisfactory DBS Check.

**It is Guild Cares’ hope and expectation that as a volunteer you will -**
- Be a team player
- Be enthusiastic and committed to the role
- Have a good level of initiative and common sense
- Have good communication skills
- Have an open and non-discriminatory attitude
- Be flexible in your approach
- Communicate with staff on duty
- Have the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people
- Have the satisfaction of knowing you are making a difference in your local community
- Be caring and compassionate in your approach
- An understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries.

**Support Offered**

You will be supported by the volunteering team and the unit that you will be volunteering for. Depending on your role there will be some training that we ask that you complete. This is outlined below
- Volunteer Handbook
- Creating Connections Handbook
- We understand that volunteers may have strengths and interests in different areas, and we have therefore indicated below a range of tasks and activities volunteers could be expected to assist with and support within this role._

**Job Types**: Part-time, Volunteer

**Benefits**:

- Employee discount
- Store discount

Schedule:

- Flexitime
- No weekends

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: Volunteer Creating Connections