Volunteer
Our volunteer's invaluable contribution of their time enabled us to reach over 10,000 older people in East Sussex last year. But with the needs of our older communities increasing, we need your support. Whether it's providing a friendly phone call, taking someone to an appointment, running a craft class, or helping in our shops there's so much you can do volunteering with us. From just a couple of hours a week you could join our dedicated volunteer team and together we can ‘Make East Sussex Smile.’
Hear a few words from two of our amazing volunteers:
Linda one of our lovely retail volunteers. Click Here
Norah one of our brilliant volunteer befrienders. Click Here
Thank You Volunteers
Our volunteers really are the backbone of our charity and we could not do it without them, so we wanted to say a huge 'Thank You' to all of our volunteers for everything they do to help support AUKES continue to support our older communities of East Sussex.
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Befriending Volunteers
Join our Befriending Volunteers
Our Befriending Team are supporting local older people who are feeling lonely or isolated.
Find out more about how you can volunteer to help your local community and make a difference to the lives of so many people.
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Macmillan Home Support Team
Macmillan Home Support Volunteers
Our volunteers enable people diagnosed with Cancer to access timely and practical support in their homes, in a more flexible way to ensure they complete their Cancer treatment with flexible support to suit their immediate needs.
We are always looking for volunteers to join our teams across East Sussex.
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Information & Advice Volunteers
Age UK East Sussex Information and Advice (I&A) service provides information and advice to older people on matters such as welfare benefits, health and social care, housing and local services.
We have three interesting and varied roles and as the volunteer you will be helping to provide information and advice to individual older people and their carers.
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Retail Volunteers
Our Charity Shop Volunteers are some of the most important people in the charity. Without them raising funds we could not provide our client services
Volunteer either in Customer Facing roles, such as on the till, or, if you prefer, help out in the back sorting and preparing stock for sale. Volunteering in our shops is a great way to make new friends and every day is unique as you never know what will be donated.
We have volunteer roles available at Battle, Bexhill, Hastings, Lewes, Eastbourne, Newhaven and Brighton
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Social Prescriber Volunteers
Our team of Social Prescriber volunteers work closely alongside our employed colleagues, doctors and nurses in GP surgeries.
Working together we support those aged over 50 and carers to improve welbeing.
Our team can provide information on a range of services, support and activities available in the local area and are always on hand to provide a friendly face.
We have volunteer opportunities in Lewes, The Havens and Wealden
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Warehouse and Van Assistants
Our Donation Centre, Furniture Warehouses and De-clutter Teams couldn't operate without warehouse and van volunteer assistants.
This is a physical and rewarding role, being out and about on our vans, collecting furniture, helping older people to downsize / declutter and delivering items for our shops to sell.
If you want to be part of a great team then join our Warehouse operations today.
We have volunteer vacanicies in Newhaven & Eastbourne
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The Isabel Blackman Centre
The Isabel Blackman Centre is a much-loved community venue in the heart of the Old Town, Hastings providing a haven for health, wellbeing and leisure. Designed specifically for the over 50’s, but a venue that everyone in the community can enjoy.
We have multiple volunteer opportunities with varied role requirements, so if you would like to join the Isabel Blackman Centre team and be a part of our Hastings community get in touch today.
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Micro Volunteering
Micro volunteering is short tasks that don't require any ongoing commitment. With jobs and family commitments, lack of time can be a real barrier to volunteering and this is a way to become a volunteer without taking up to much of your time.
Volunteer Roles Immediately Available
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Hastings Retail Customer Service Volunteer
Please click on link to apply for this opportunity:
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Marketing Volunteer
Please click on the link to apply for this opportunity:
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Apply Today
To express an interest in volunteering with Age UK East Sussex, please fill in our volunteer form and one of our team will contact you to discuss which role and location you are are interested in helping with.
At Age UK East Sussex we place great value on our volunteers who bring so much to the organisation, their time, energy and commitment are recognised and greatly appreciated.If you are unsure of what role you could undertake with us, that is not a problem; we can arrange for you to chat with one of our volunteer coordinators to pinpoint a role that suits you. Feel free to contact us on the details at the bottom of the page. |
Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Volunteer?
We welcome volunteers aged 18 (*this age limit is currently under review) and above who have relevant skills and experience and a willingness to learn.
How Much Time Do I Need to Commit?
Most of our volunteer roles require a regular commitment of 2 hours or more per week. Please see each individual role description for details of how much time we might need from you.
What Can I Expect from Volunteering at Age UK East Sussex?
Volunteering is a great way to use your existing talents to help others and contribute to your local community. It can be beneficial in developing work based skills if you are studying or job seeking and is particularly beneficial for those looking to go into care work, older people’s care or the charity sector.
As a Volunteer, You Will:
- Make a meaningful difference to older people in East Sussex.
- Gain new skills and experiences,
- Meet new people.
- Have a named supervisor who will support you throughout your volunteering journey.
- Receive any necessary training and support for your role.
- Receive our newsletter for volunteers.
- Be invited to our annual celebration of volunteers.
- Be part of the fabulous team of volunteers and staff at Age UK East Sussex.
What Do Volunteers Do?
Volunteers are involved in all aspects of our charity from being a trustee to an administrator and our MacMillan Home from hospital service. Our roles change depending on need. Details of current roles can be viewed on our website.
Will I Have to Pay My Own Bus Fare or Petrol Costs?
No, all reasonable travel expenses that arise from volunteering are reimbursed. This includes public transport within the specified areas and petrol costs if you use your car in your volunteer role.
Can I Claim Benefits While Volunteering?
Yes, volunteering does not affect your benefits as you will not be receiving payment other than travel expenses if appropriate. You will need to let the Job Centre know that you are volunteering and must abide by the conditions set out by them.
Do I Need Any Skills or Qualifications?
Most volunteer roles don't require qualifications, but we do need people that have suitable skills to enhance and support the work we do with older people. All volunteers receive a thorough induction and support to undertake their role. Training is also available where appropriate.
Will I Have to Complete an Application Form or Have an Interview?
Yes, we ask all people who are interested in volunteering with us to attend an informal interview. This is a two way process that enables us to find out more about you and see if you are suitable for the role and also allows you meet us and see if our volunteer roles meet your needs and interests.
What Training and Support Will I Get?
All volunteers receive a thorough induction to their role prior to or on their first day of volunteering and we will also give ongoing training and support with their volunteering role.
Are Childcare Costs Covered?
No. Unfortunately, we don’t currently have the resources to cover childcare costs.
What Volunteering Opportunities Are There for Students?
Most of our volunteer roles are suitable for students as long as you have availability in your timetable during the week.
Can I Leave If I Don't like It?
Yes - of course you can. However, we would ask that you speak to Human Resources first, email: hr@ageukeastsussex.org.uk to see if anything can be done to improve your experience, such as changing your role to something you find more enjoyable.
How Do I Apply?
- Look through our Current Volunteer Roles.
- Apply online with our volunteer application form
- Or contact us via telephone or email on the contact details at the bottom of this page.
- We will contact you for an informal chat.
- You will be invited to an informal no commitment interview.
At the Interview You Will:
- Find out more about our charity and the types of volunteer roles available.
- Discuss your relevant skills, experience and what you hope to gain from volunteering.
- Have the application process explained to you in more detail.
- Complete a Volunteer Application form. PLEASE NOTE: because of the sensitive nature of the work we do, we will ask you for a reference. Some roles also require a DBS background check. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about
- If your application is successful, we will contact you to make arrangements for start dates etc.
Contact DetailsIf you have any questions about our volunteer roles please feel free to contact us on: Phone: 01273 476704 E-mail: volunteers@ageukeastsussex.org.uk Address: |