Community connector
As a Community Connector volunteer, you will help Age UK Barnet reduce loneliness and isolation by building a short-term but meaningful relationship with an older person. You will support them in engaging with and reintegrating into their local community. You will also help the older person make positive changes in their life and develop a social network through goal setting and regular weekly visits.
What a volunteer visitor might do:
You will meet an older person you’ve been matched with once a week over a six-month period to support them in working towards their goals. Depending on their needs, you may:
- Visit them at home
- Go for a walk
- Meet in a local community space, such as a library or a café
- Help them access local groups or services
- Encourage them to build positive and sustainable connections
- To support with digital inclusion.
- Assist with planning and arranging journeys using public transport, helping to overcome barriers to travel and independence
- Accompany clients to social, recreational, or community-based activities
You will keep track of their progress and share updates with the Enabling Connections coordinator.
As a Community Connector Volunteer, we ask you to:
- Attend an induction session
- Complete essential training, including goal‑setting and safeguarding
- Have access to one‑to‑one check in calls.
Receive support from a dedicated project coordinator
You may need to travel locally to meet the older person or accompany them to services, and any travelling expenses can be reimbursed.
You will also be asked to take brief notes after each session and share them with your project coordinator.
Personal qualities and experience most suited to this role:
- Patience, empathy and a positive, proactive attitude.
- Good communication and active listening skills.
- Ability to plan and organise your time,
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Willingness to follow guidance to keep yourself and others safe.
- Understanding the needs of and be able to empathise with older people.
- Reliability, honesty, patience, tolerance and sensitivity
Training: There is a minimum of approximately 6 hours training for this role which will be a combination of online and in person training. (usually an evening between 5.30 and 8.30.)
Location: Client’s homes and local services or public facilities.
How much time is involved? On average 2-3 hours per week, per client, including travelling time. A commitment for minimum of 6 months is required.
What you can expect from us: Age UK Barnet will cover agreed out of pocket expenses for volunteers (e.g. travel costs). We will also insure you for personal and public liability for the time you are volunteering with us providing what you do is risk assessed and agreed. We are happy to provide references for our volunteers.
We accept volunteers from all backgrounds and welcome applications from those with disabilities or health conditions. This volunteering opportunity is subject to a DBS check.
The minimum age for this role is 18 years.
Responsible to: Rebecca Bayne, Home Support Manager, Age UK Barnet, Ann Owens Centre, Oak Lane, East Finchley N2 8LT
Tel: 020 150 0967 Email: rebecca.bayne@ageukbarnet.org.uk
ROLE DESCRIPTION AND HOW TO APPLY
You can contact volunteer manager Lisa Robbins on lisa.robbins@ageukbarnet.org.uk or call her on 0208 432 1422.