Assistant Volunteer

**Assistant Volunteer for Social Prescribing**

**Age UK East Sussex - We are currently looking for several volunteers to directly assist a Social Prescriber in Heathfield.**

The Social Prescribing Team is a service which supports people over 50 years old. Social prescribers provide information and advice on many issues, such as benefits, social care, living independently, housing, and local services. Social prescribers also work directly with people who may be social isolated, bereaved, or lonely. If these concerns are addressed, it can make a significant difference to people’s wellbeing.

**Purpose**:
Your role is to help provide support to clients within the local community, build trust and rapport and encourage engagement. You will be instrumental in helping to meet the needs of the client. You will support them to stay connected to their community and local services and ensure resources are maintained.

**Role of the volunteer**:
As a volunteer, you will be matched with one of the social prescribing team within your local area. Your role will be based within the community helping clients in a variety of situations. This may include escorting clients to appointments or group activities, helping clients to access local services or providing general support such as phone contact or shopping needs. The role will be varied and aims to empower the people you will be assisting.

**Scope**:
This is a locally based role
The role will take approx. 3-4 hrs per work per week
If you would like to volunteer for a longer period, there is opportunity for this

**Skills and attributes**:

- An interest in working with and for people over the age of 50
- Understanding and willingness to learn about the range of issues affecting the clients we support
- Good interpersonal and communication skills including being an active listener, empathy, and a non-judgmental approach
- Trustworthy, approachable, and reliable
- Excellent people skills, and the ability to communicate with people at all levels
- The ability to effectively and to build and maintain good relationships
- Maintain confidentiality
- Be able to be flexible and adaptable to change
- Committed to ensure high levels of customer service

**As a volunteer we would ask you to**:
Be an Ambassador for the Charity, positively promoting the organisation and its services

Commit to a minimum of one shift per week

Participate in induction, initial and ongoing training

Occasional attendance of the team meetings

Participate in supervision with your peers and Team Lead

Adhere to the Age UK East Sussex Confidentiality Policy and Equality Policy

Respect diversity and others’ opinions

Maintain discretion and confidentiality at all times

Give prior notice when unable to support a client

To sign a declaration of interest

Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

**As a volunteer we offer you**:
Relevant training as required by the organisation and agreed with your line manager

Regular support and supervision from the Social Prescriber and Team Lead

An opportunity to meet other volunteers when training and for mutual support.

Support to gain a valuable experience and a reference after six months volunteering.

Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses

Make a difference to people in your local community

Connect with and help other people to connect with their local community

Join a growing social movement empowering people in your local community

**Please note that we are only able to offer this role to people over 18.**

**Age UK East Sussex reserves the right to review this job description from time to time to best suit the changing nature of the role in line with service needs. Any changes to this document will be made by mutual agreement.**

**Job Types**: Part-time, Volunteer
Part-time hours: 3-4 per week

**Salary**: £0.01 per hour

Schedule:

- Day shift

Work Location: On the road