Volunteering
Volunteering is rewarding, fun and a great way to learn new skills
Without volunteers Age Concern Isle of Wight could not exist. We depend on our volunteers’ commitment and dedication to help us to provide and sustain services for older people.
You can give as much or little time as you like, and all our volunteers are trained and supported, and receive agreed travel expenses.
Perhaps you would like the opportunity to become one of them? Read below about our volunteer opportunities and if you think you would like to join our team of dedicated volunteers, please contact:
Gina Williams on 01983 525282 or email us.
Neighbourhood - volunteers who support older people who need occasional help with odd jobs, or emergency assistance such as shopping after hospital discharge. They also help with social activities in their area.
Befriending - 1 in 5 people over 65 spend over 12 hours a day alone. Many older people just want someone to talk to occasionally, especially if they do not have family or friends nearby. You could help maintain their independence by visiting, giving them a call or taking them to coffee mornings.
Home Shopping - Older people who are housebound, or who cannot shop unaided, have difficulty in obtaining essential food shopping. You could assist by doing their shopping from a list or escorting them to shops.
Active Networks - Older people with similar interests, and living in the same locality, are introduced so that they can befriend each other and socialise, either together or as part of an Active Network Club. Volunteers support the groups and may provide occasional transport.
Information and Advice - Be fully trained to give confidential answers to the many questions that concern older people – benefits, housing, heating, health care and leisure.
Welfare Benefits - Many older people are not getting all the benefits to which they are entitled. You will be supported to help them complete the forms and claim for those entitlements.
Driving - Several of our projects would benefit from drivers to take older people on an outing or escort them to social events. We also need back up drivers for our home shopping delivery vehicle
Advocacy - People sometimes need help to speak up for themselves. In some cases you may need to speak on the person’s behalf. This can be a huge benefit in enabling people to take, or retain, control of their lives.
Fundraising - As an independent local charity, we need help to raise money to keep our services running. Maybe you have a flair for this?
Administration - Various opportunities arise within all aspects of our work.
Snapshot
Nina, who is in her early seventies, moved to the Island in 2001 and involved herself in voluntary work so that she could meet people, feel part of the community and make friends. Nina really enjoys the company of older people and helps them with their shopping, and also undertakes other activities, for example paying the paper bill, visiting the bank or collecting items from the chemist. She also assists us at fundraising events, attends our coffee mornings and supports Age Concern Shanklin’s Day Centre by making teas, coffees and doing the washing up. Nina likes the communication aspect of her volunteering roles and says that it gives her something interesting to do and keeps her occupied.