Volunteer

We currently have two dementia cafes: Dore and Bents Green. These are welcoming and non-challenging environments where people living with dementia and their carers come to chat, drink tea, and interact in a small activity if they choose to. These can include singing, crafts, doing a jigsaw, and much more. Being a volunteer can involve welcoming and taking coats, making hot drinks, preparing snacks, supporting/engaging with the activities and being supportive and sociable.  

When/where?
1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month in Dore (S17)
1st and 3rd Thursday of the month in Bents Green (S11)

This role involves making regular contact with an older person who feels lonely or isolated. It can be in person, via telephone or by letter. Volunteers also encourage customers to become more independent inside and outside of the home with regards to activities, appointments and domestic lifestyles. This will reduce social isolation, promote independence, improve self-confidence, and enable older people to take control of how they manage their physical and mental wellbeing. This is designed so that they can age well and live healthier for longer. Volunteers are matched based on location, interests and needs.

When/where?
Flexible, city-wide. 

Our Dementia Wellbeing Centres provide a full day of activities and support based on a Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy approach which is proven to delay the onset of dementia symptoms. We believe that memory loss shouldn't be a barrier to fun, friendship and stimulation of the mind. We're passionate about creating a safe, loving, welcoming environment for our customers. By providing a strong support network, families can also feel valued and better equipped to deal with the challenges they may face on a day to day basis. The Centres are run by staff and volunteers together. 

Being a volunteer may involve:
- Meeting and greeting customers
- Providing hot drinks and snacks
- Chatting with and supporting customers
- Helping to organise and run activities such as arts and crafts, music, singing, games, jigsaws, photography, baking, and much more

When/where? 
Monday to Friday in Norfolk Park
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in Hillsborough Park
Monday at Clifford House
Friday at Botanical Gardens

We currently have three Age UK Sheffield shops: Broomhill, Bradway, and Abbeydale Road and a new one opening up soon in Banner Cross. Each is run by a small team of volunteers and members of staff. The shop environment is welcoming and volunteers have the opportunity to do a range of roles. Front of house support with helping customers, operating the till, processing Gift Aid donations, and tidying and organising displays in the windows. Back of house volunteers help with steaming, sorting, and preparing donations and stock management. 

When/Where?
Monday to Saturday in Broomhill (S10), Bradway (S17), Abbeydale Road (S7) or Banner Cross (S11).

Raising funds from the community can be very rewarding and enjoyable. Volunteer fundraisers play a vital part in helping to ensure Age UK Sheffield can provide services for hundreds of older people in Sheffield who face later life alone. There's so much more to fundraising than just holding a bucket - in fact there is no limit to the imaginative ways in which you can raise money. 

It can also involve:
- Organising fundraising events
- Undertaking collections
- Attending and supporting our own fundraising events
- Helping to promote our work
- Taking on a challenge 
- Encouraging others to fundraise or volunteer with us

When/where?
Flexible, city-wide. 

Helping older people with their technology is key today with a focus on communication and administration going digital. We offer a unique service to our older customers, offering advice and support on a wide range of digital topics or issues. 

Being a digital volunteer can involve:
- Software/hardware issues and support e.g setting up Zoom
- Using email address
- Creating or advising on password ideas
- Downloading pictures
- Updating anti-virus software
- Installing or reinstalling an application
- Shopping online
- Adding numbers to contacts on a mobile phone
- Advising on laptops or other devices

When/where?
Flexible, city-wide for 1:1 home visits. 
Central Library 1st and 3rd Friday of the month 11am - 1pm. 

There are plenty of activities that a group or business can take part in that would be both fun and of enormous help to us! If you think you could help, please do get in touch with us and let us know. We can help you in your quest to support our charity!