Volunteers

Registered Charity Number 512991

Age Concern Leicester

" Over 400 voluntary staff help to improve the quality of life for older people"

Age Concern was started by volunteers, in response to the many needs of older people. Although Age Concern receives some funding for the services provided, without volunteers it would be difficult to provide the high level of service for which the organisation is known.
By becoming a volunteer you will be contributing to a well-established tradition that has become a way of life in British Society, creating institutions, such as Age Concern Leicester, who work constantly to improve the quality of life for older people.
Volunteering is not only about giving your services and skills, but also learning new skills, making new friends and gaining self-esteem through the knowledge of a job well done.
Age Concern Leicester's 150 staff are augmented by almost 400 volunteers and as such is one of the most successful groups in the country.

Would you like to help us?

If you have some time to spare we would be very grateful.

Volunteers are needed in the following areas.

Just scroll to the area you are interested in.

Cafeteria

Day Care

Good as new shops

Gardens

Hairdressing

Reception

Transport

Library

Computing

Catherine House

Community Befriending

Areas to volunteer

Cafeteria: Volunteers are needed urgently to work in the kitchen. The hours are to suit during the week and 8.30 -12.30 am on Saturdays. Free meals for 5 hours or over.
The cafeteria caters for anything from a cup of tea to a full meal. It serves in excess of 1,750 reasonably priced nutritious meals a month and is the meeting place for many of the city's older residents. In addition the cafe provides hot drinks and snacks.
Duties include:
Washing up, Cleaning tables, Food preparation and serving, Serving on the tea bar. Till work .

Day Care: Age Concern Leicester provides Day Care for elderly people who are frail or socially isolated. We offer a day of stimulation and enjoyable activities including reminiscence therapy, quizzes, crafts and occasional outings.
The work of the volunteers includes:
Helping Day Care staff in the implementation of a stimulating and structured program of activities.
Optionally, to provide Escort Care on the journeys to and from the Day Care centres and planned excursions.
The work requires:
A caring attitude.
The ability to listen and communicate effectively.
Physical mobility and reasonable health.

Saturday Day Care Escorts are urgently required.

Good as new shops: The good-as-new shops, which are staffed by volunteer retail shop assistants, sell donated clothing in a High Street setting.
The duties of the volunteers include:
Preparation of clothing for sale.
Maintenance of stocks.
Cashier duties . The work requires:
A welcoming approach to customers.
Commitment and Reliability.

Gardens:
There are opportunities for volunteers to help maintain the gardens at Clarence House and Catherine House which has a newly designed garden. Catherine House urgently needs an experienced gardener who can spare a few hours a week to oversee their garden area. If you have green fingers call 0116 2498787.

Hairdressing:
Age Concern Leicester has a busy hairdressing salon which opens from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm Monday to Friday. Qualified stylists are assisted by volunteers who shampoo clients' hair, serve tea and coffee, work on the reception desk and keep the salon tidy.
Previous experience is not always necessary as full support will be given.

Reception:
Reception volunteers work in a welcoming and friendly environment answering routine enquires.
The work of the volunteers includes:
Providing a first point of contact between the organisation and visitors.
Becoming familiar with services provided by both public sector and charitable organisations.
The work requires:
Good communication skills.
A pleasant and well kept appearance.
Enthusiasm, Commitment and Reliability.

Transport:
Age Concern transport is used in various ways from taking older people to Day Centres and Luncheon Clubs to collecting donated clothing and furniture.
The work of volunteer drivers includes:
Accepting full responsibility for the vehicle being driven.
Transporting clients between their homes and Day Care centres or other destinations.
The work requires:
A clean and current driving licence with at least two year's driving experience.
To be between 25 and 75 years old.
To be fit and healthy.
To have an empathy with older people.
An experience of larger vehicles is preferable.
The passing of an ambulance driving assessment conducted by a qualified examiner.

Library: The Age Concern Library is part of Leicester City Libraries, and is the only public library in the country to cater specifically for people over 55.
The library carries a wide range of books covering many interests, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as providing a full range of services including large-print books, top-ten best sellers. The library has recently adopted a computerised system, with Internet access.
The duties of the volunteers include:
Issuing and discharging books, registering new borrowers and handling basic information enquiries
Using books and computer resources.
A knowledge of computers would be useful, but not essential.

Computer Tutors: Do you have a good knowledge of computing? Do you have time to spare to teach people over 50? We provide courses of 2 hour lessons for absolute beginners in the use of computers, word processing, e-mail and using the Internet Our lesson plans are written specifically for this age group and are easy to follow. It is a very relaxed atmosphere as learners are not seeking qualifications, just knowledge of how to use a computer. We have courses at Clarence House (City centre) and Catherine House (Evington).

Catherine House: Volunteers required at Catherine house, Evington.

Tai-Chi.

Volunteer to present Tai-Chi lessons. Hours to suite.
Contact john Nixon 0116 2498787

For full details of all above vacancies please contact:

Pam Taylor

Volunteer And Events Manager

Clarence House

Tel: 0116 222 0555 ext 573