Our volunteer roles
If you have some time to spare you could make a real difference to the lives of older people in Rotherham. Volunteering can give you the opportunity to make new friends, develop and learn new skills.
Our current volunteer roles are listed below
Wellbeing Social Buddy (Open)
What you will be doing
This is a new project supporting older people to improve their wellbeing.
We need new Wellbeing Social Buddies to be part of a small team running social activities that reduce isolation & loneliness as well as helping improve the wellbeing of people in later life. You will help us to support people to know that they are not alone and to reconnect with their community to reverse the impact of Covid19 on their lives.
Wellbeing Socials are planned to take place monthly on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10.00am - 1.00pm, in several locations.
We would like you to:
- Volunteer for at least 3 hours a month within the above times per location.
- Help enable people in later life to find companionship within their community.
We are looking for reliable, trustworthy volunteers who are able to give a little of their time once a month to help create a social wellbeing activity group to be a welcoming, safe place for everyone involved.
- Engage with people to try new hobbies, or reconnect with hobbies/interests, to use local community services in a social group.
- Help people to build confidence and self-esteem, by supporting people to feel less lonely.
Activities
- Contribute to planning and organising social wellbeing activities.
- Meet and greet people attending the group.
- Engaging people in stimulating conversation if they want someone to talk to.
- Support people where needed to join with activity sessions.
- Make and serve refreshments.
- Keep records of tasks.
Skills & Attributes - Skills Description
We will be supporting you in your role at Age UK Rotherham, we will give an appropriate induction as a well as regular support, supervision and ongoing training opportunities.
We are looking for volunteers with the following skills/ qualities:
- Warm and friendly with empathy for others
- non-judgemental
- Respectful
- Good listening skills
- Dependable
- Good communication skills
- Able to maintain confidentiality
- Knowledge, skills or understanding of the need of an older person
- Can act independently and as a part of a team.
- Encouraging and supportive.
Skills Description
Teamwork, talking to others, active listening, ability to share your skills and interests
What is in it for you
Meet new people and be part of an inclusive team. A terrific opportunity to develop your existing skills and gain new ones. Enhance your CV. All training and induction for the role (there is no charge for training). Reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses for the role. An opportunity to be part of Age UK Rotherham network and the knowledge, that you are making a difference to people’s lives. Have fun whilst giving back to the community and participating in activities that will improve your own wellbeing too.
For more information please contact Iain Cloke iain.cloke@ageukrotherham.org
Trustees (Open)
By joining our Board of Trustees, you will play a critical role in shaping our strategy to achieve the aims of the charity and develop sustainability, whilst ensuring good governance and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
We are looking for a trustee with a range of skills, including professional financial expertise to replace our retiring Finance Trustee.
We also need trustees with a wide range of other skills and experience, including leadership and senior management in the commercial or health sector, and those with legal experience.
1. Role Summary
The Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of Age UK Rotherham including developing its vision, mission and corporate business strategy in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. The Board are also responsible for ensuring the sound legal, financial and people management of the organisation.
1.1 Main Responsibilities
- To determine the overall direction and development of the charity through effective governance and clear strategic planning;
- To ensure that the charity and its representatives comply with legal and regulatory requirements and in line with the organisation’s governing document;
- To understand and undertake, as a Trustee, the duties of one who holds something in trust, undertaking these duties in such a way that secures and enhances public confidence and trust in the charity;
- To act in the best interest of the charity, its beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times;
- To take appropriate professional advice in all matters where there may be material risk to the charity, or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties. This course of action will ensure the obligation to exercise their duty of care;
- To comply with the Code of Conduct for Trustees and the Code of Good Governance for boards;
- To lead on a delegated area for the Board (eg HR Committee, Governance Group, Income Generation Group, etc).
As the Board are responsible and liable for the governance and functioning of the charity, they are accountable in varying degrees to a variety of stakeholders, including: funders, customers, members, partners, Charity Commission and Companies House
The partnership between the Board and the Chief Executive and other senior staff is essential to the delivery of good governance, with the Board and Chief Executive taking the lead on strategic matters and the CEO and Management Team responsible for the operational delivery.
1.2 Attendance
Trustees are full members of the Board of Trustees and are expected to attend the Board meetings and any relevant Sub-Committees, Advisory or Task Groups or other forums that fit their specific brief and remit.
Trustees should aim to attend all Board meetings and must attend at least 50% (three) Board meetings in any twelve month period. If a Trustee fails to attend three consecutive Board meetings they may be required to stand down by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
1.3 Main Duties
- Ensure that Age UK Rotherham has a clear vision, mission, aims and strategic direction and is focussed on achieving these;
- Participate in the development of strategic objectives and plans that deliver to vision, mission and aims, working in partnership with other Trustees, the Chief Executive and senior staff;
- Ensure appropriate levels of consultation and participation with funders, local communities, partners, members and other key stakeholders in the development of the organisation;
- Ensure the development of policies, operational plans and budgets to achieve the strategy and objectives and monitor performance against them;
- Oversee and monitor the overall quality of Age UK Rotherham’s services and activities in line with charitable objects and aims and relevant standards;
- Ensure that Age UK Rotherham complies with legislative and regulatory requirements, and acts within the confines of its governing document and in furtherance of its charitable objects;
- Ensure that all strategic plans, policies and activities of Age UK Rotherham take account of an active commitment to equality and diversity;
- Ensure sound financial management of Age UK Rotherham’s resources, that expenditure is in line with the charitable objects and funder requirements, and that investment activities meet accepted standards and policies;
- Be responsible for the recruitment, induction, supervision and performance review of the Chief Executive;
- Ensure effective people management, including development of good employment policies and appropriate levels of involvement in final stages of grievance and/or disciplinary matters;
- Act as a counter-signatory on charity cheques and any applications for funds, if appropriate;
- To lead on delegated area(s) and activities on behalf of Age UK Rotherham as agreed within the Board as a whole, including chairing sub committees, advisory or task groups and representing Age UK Rotherham at a local, regional and national level;
- Maintain absolute confidentiality about all sensitive/confidential information received in the course of Trustee’s responsibilities to the charity.
2. Person Specification
2.1 General and Transferable Skills
- Understanding of, and commitment to, the vision, mission, objects and aims of Age UK Rotherham;
- Understanding of the needs, challenges and difficulties facing older people;
- Knowledge and experience of Rotherham as a community (including the use of health and social care services and/ or local partnership structures);
- Commitment to enabling equality and diversity;
- Willingness and interest in developing own knowledge and skills in support of the role as a Board member;
- Ability to assess and evaluate own contribution, performance and areas for development;
- Ability to work effectively with others as part of a team, including listening skills, expressing own ideas and point of view;
- Ability to change point of view in light of new or different information and to respond positively to the views, experience and knowledge of others;.
- Ability to think analytically and strategically and contribute to the development of organisation strategic planning and direction;
- Ability to take a corporate overview;
- Good relationship skills: including ability to develop healthy relationships with all key stakeholders (including funders, members, staff, partners, statutory and community groups).
2.2 Specialist and Professional Knowledge and Skills
Between the Trustees as a whole, Age UK Rotherham will look for a range of skills that ensure both in-depth understanding of the needs of the organisation plus the range of professional skills required to enable good governance of the organisation. Types of skill include:
- Experience of what it is to be an older person and an understanding of the issues we address as a charity;
- Knowledge of relevant business areas (business management and development, trading, retail);
- Financial skills and knowledge of relevant regulations;
- HR and people management skills and knowledge of employment law;
- Fundraising and funding;
- Marketing, communications and PR skills
- Knowledge of good governance and related codes and standards;
- Knowledge of voluntary sector and charitable regulations;
- Knowledge of statutory sector, including local and central government;
- Knowledge of Health & Social Care System, including Personalisation and the impact of personal budgets on older people and provider organisations.
For more information contact Barbara Dinsdale barbara.dinsdale@ageukrotherham.org
To apply complete and return the application form.
Wellbeing Personal Buddy (Closed)
What you will be doing
This is a new project supporting older people to improve their wellbeing.
We need new Wellbeing Personal Buddies to be part of a small team supporting people to access their community to reduce isolation & loneliness as well as helping improve the wellbeing of people in later life. You will help us to support people to know that they are not alone and to reconnect with their community to reverse the impact of Covid19 on their lives.
Wellbeing Socials are also planned to take place monthly on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10.00am - 1.00pm, in several locations and you may be asked to help individuals to join these socials and work towards other goals they have requested support with.
We would like you to:
- We are looking for reliable, trustworthy volunteers who can give a little of their time once a week, say 2-3 hours a week.
- Help enable people in later life to reconnect with life after Covid-19 and improve their personal wellbeing.
- Engage with people to try new hobbies, or reconnect with hobbies/interests, to use local community services in a social group.
- Develop and/or share your own skills and enthusiasms where appropriate eg Gardening, Digital, Walking, Reading, Music
- Help people to build confidence and self-esteem, by supporting people to feel less lonely.
Activities
- To come alongside an older person to help them improve their wellbeing in ways that make sense to them and based on an assessment by our Wellbeing Coordinator.
- To become part of a person’s Wellbeing Circle to help their voice be heard and enable them to achieve their wellbeing goals.
- To have weekly meaningful contact with the older person to stay in touch, and check how they are making progress, help them make plans etc
- Support people where needed to join with activity sessions.
- Keep records of tasks.
Skills & Attributes - Skills Description
We will be supporting you in your role at Age UK Rotherham, we will give an appropriate induction as a well as regular support, supervision and ongoing training opportunities.
We are looking for volunteers with the following skills/ qualities:
- Warm and friendly with empathy for others
- non-judgemental
- Respectful
- Good active listening skills
- Organisation and planning
Reliable – making sure you do what you say you will
- Good communication skills
- Able to maintain confidentiality
- Knowledge, skills or understanding of the need of an older person
- Can act independently and as a part of a team.
- Encouraging and supportive.
Skills Description
Teamwork, talking to others, active listening, ability to share your skills and interests
What is in it for you
Meet new people and be part of an inclusive team. A terrific opportunity to develop your existing skills and gain new ones. Enhance your CV. All training and induction for the role (there is no charge for training). Reasonable pre-agreed travel expenses for the role. An opportunity to be part of Age UK Rotherham network and the knowledge, that you are making a difference to people’s lives. Have fun whilst giving back to the community and participating in activities that will improve your own wellbeing too.
For more information please contact Iain Cloke iain.cloke@ageukrotherham.org
Volunteer Community Connector (Closed)
Are you passionate about helping older people? Did you know that there are 48,900 people aged 65 or over in Rotherham and that around 61% of them have a limiting long term illness or disability?
Be our eyes and ears in your local community by becoming a Community Connector. Age UK Rotherham is a registered charity, seeking to promote and improve the well-being of all older people and their carers in Rotherham. Community Connectors will help to make our advice and information more accessible. Connectors will support people by linking them to local social activities and referring them to the Advice and Information Team and other services at Age UK Rotherham. This is a community based role and we match volunteers based on your availability and location.
Becoming a Community Connector Volunteer is an excellent personal development opportunity. You gain confidence and experience in talking to people as well as helping to make a difference to your own community. You will also be given full training and on going support throughout your time as a Connector with the option of undertaking further training to help you do the role.
- Your role will be to:
- Helping older people
- Make links with people in their local neighbourhood.
- Listen and help people to find the information and support they need
- Refer people and help them to book people on appointments with Age UK Services
- Become aware of, and refer people to, local community groups and services
- Complete paperwork and feedback to office staff
- Taking part in fundraising events and attending community events (optional)
- Attend all relevant induction and training
Is this role for you?
Community Connectors will be natural listeners, networkers, relationship builders. They will be positive, optimistic, caring and compassionate. No specific skills or experience are required for this role but the following are desirable:
- Reliable friendly, flexible and supportive
- Good communication skills
- Enthusiasm and an interest in helping to raise awareness about Age UK Rotherham
For more information please contact Iain Cloke on 07585 225832 or email iain.cloke@ageukrotherham.org
Volunteer Community Connector role description