Volunteer
Updated 03.01.2022
** Friendship Volunteers WANTED **
We are in need of volunteers for our Telephone Befriending and Sharing Time Services. Please contact us if you would like to help reduce social isolation and loneliness:
- Telephone Befriending Volunteer – To keep in regular contact (not less than approx 20mins, once a week) with an older person by phone.
- Sharing Time Volunteer - To keep in regular contact (approx. 1 hour, once a week) by visiting an older person at their home.
TO FIND OUT MORE PLEASE EMAIL volunteering@ageukcap.org.uk OR PHONE 01223 221925
More volunteering opportunities below
Welcome to Age UK CAP (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough) Volunteering opportunities
At Age UK CAP we rely on over 400 volunteers to help people in a variety of ways. Volunteer support and assistance enables us to reach a wider number of older individuals. Volunteers themselves tell us of the personal satisfaction they get contributing to their local communities and the training and support they receive.
"I feel like I make a real difference. I've been visiting for 5 years and I find it greatly rewarding to build a relationship with someone who can be very lonely and looks forward to a visit." Sharing Time Volunteer
"It's good to be part of something that helps other people and it's fun!" Day Club Volunteer
"I have benefitted from volunteering as much as any of those I've telephoned. I look forward to coming to the office to make the calls, chat and see all the staff." Telephone Contact Volunteer
"I feel reassured and supported by [the team] and look forward to meeting the other volunteers at information and social events." Sharing Time Volunteer
Why volunteer?
Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, and support the work we do in the community. There are many reasons that people give for volunteering. For some, volunteering can be a route to employment, or a chance to try something new which may lead to a career change. From this perspective, volunteering can be a way of:
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Gaining new skillsKnowledge and experience
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Developing existing skills and knowledgeEnhancing a CV
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Improving one's employment prospectsGaining an accreditationUsing one's professional skills and knowledge to benefit others (usually described as pro bono)For others, volunteering appeals because of its social benefits. These include:Meeting new people
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Making new friends A chance to socialise
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Getting to know the local community
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On top of this, many people volunteer for a variety of other reasons, such as:
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Giving something back to an organisation that has impacted on a person's life, either directly or indirectly
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A desire to make a difference to the lives of others
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Good karmaHelping others less fortunate or without a voice
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Feeling part of a team
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Feeling valued
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Having quality time away from work or a busy lifestyle
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Building up trust
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Gaining confidence and self-esteem
Who can volunteer?
Almost anyone can be a volunteer. We have a wide range of roles which suit different people and different skills, for all ages. Our volunteers have ranged in age from 8 years (doing knitting to raise funds) to 94 years (telephone contact caller).
How much time do I need to give?
It depends on the volunteer role you are interested in. Some people give an hour a week, other people do more. Some roles require a regular weekly commitment, others are as and when needed (e.g. helping at events).
The majority of our volunteers are within our Sharing Time Service. We are proud to support approx 400 visits per week between volunteers and older people. This is only possible because of the dedication of volunteers and thier enthusiasm to help us to reduce loneliness and social isolation. Read more about this HERE: Sharing Time Volunteering
Whether you can offer an 20 minutes or more, we will have a role to suit you. Take a look at some of our opportunities below. If you have another skill or interest you think could be useful to us, please do get in touch. We are open to new possibilities and opportunities if you feel you can help us to achieve our aim of providing support and companionship for local older people.Our vision is to make Cambridgeshire and Peterborough a great place to grow older, by inspiring, supporting and enabling.
- Big Knit Campaign Ambassador – to promote the Campaign and fundraise.
- Video Photographer and Short Film Maker – to create short video clips for social media, promoting our services and activities.
- Day Club Volunteer in Cambridgeshire - Supporting and assisting in activities and to help in making members feel welcome.
- Friendship Club Volunteers in Peterborough – We support a number of clubs who need volunteers to run the clubs. Tasks range from helping to set up and clear away, serving tea and coffee, chatting with members and helping with activites. In addition to club assistants, there are roles of club leadership, treasurer, secretary and cook.
- Home Visiting Sharing Time volunteer – offering an hour a week to visit someone who is lonely or isolated by offering time, friendship and support.
- Information and Advice volunteer - to provide admin support to the team, and/or attend local events with an information stand.
- Telephone Befriending volunteer – to ease social isolation and loneliness by making a phone call each week to check on wellbeing and chat.
- Community Warden Service volunteer – to support the scheme warden in spending quality time with service users and to carry out various tasks i.e shopping, reading post.
- Homes Volunteer - to carry out phone calls for reviewing the service and data input.
If you would like to find out further information about joining our team of volunteers in any of these opportunities, then please contact us by email to volunteering@ageukcap.org.uk or phone for an informal chat on 01223 221925. Fill out the application form now and email it to us:
Community Support Worker
Cherry Trees Gardener
Day Club
Friendship Club
Handyperson
Home Visitor Sharing Time
Hospital Link IA
Telephone Befriending
Liason
Warden
Communications and Campaigns
Help with campaigns, fundraising and various communiction initiatives - Volunteering Opportunities
Article Writer, Assistant Editor, Proof Reader
Video Photographer and Short Film Maker
What else you can do to support us
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Take part in a fundraiser
Could you help us to raise vital funds by taking part in a fundraising event? Could you help by joining events such as a sponsored walk, raising donations for us, or be creative and perhaps organise your own fundraiser, like a cake sale?
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Get your colleagues involved
Could you talk to your colleagues or your employer about how you can support us? We have lots of ideas for how organisations can get involved, including sponsoring an event, making us Charity of the Year, or donating equipment.