Volunteer

Volunteering in Adult Social Care

Have you thought about volunteering in adult social care for a new career experience, to help others or to meet new people?

Adult Social Care is a fast growing and diverse sector.  It offers a large range of rewarding and challenging careers, with many different job roles available and lots of opportunities for progression.  One way that you might like to become involved in social care is through volunteering.

Volunteering can be extremely rewarding and beneficial for all involved.  From offering insights into the work of social care and contributing to an enhanced sense of well-being both for the volunteer and the people that they support within their role.

Volunteering can be a way of supporting you to choose a new direction in life or helping you develop a career path that you may have already embarked upon.  As well as potentially supporting you to get back into work or give your CV a boost, volunteering can improve your confidence, improve your health and help you to meet new people.

Our volunteer page lists a range of social care providers in Medway who welcome volunteers within their service.

Stroke AssociationSouth East

The Stroke Association provides a range of volunteering opportunities across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

For more information or to search for opportunities visit the Stroke Association website.

Contact: Julie Heine Call: 01622 351968 Email: julie.heine@stroke.org.uk

Alzheimer’s SocietyVarious

Alzheimer’s Society provides a range of volunteering opportunities locally in the South East and across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

More information is available on the Alzheimer’s Society website.

Contact: Alzheimer's Society Call: 0845 504 9300 Email: volunteers@alzheimers.org.uk

Larchwood CourtHigham

Larchwood Court are a small residential home caring for 16 physically and mentally frail people over the age of 65 years.

We strive to provide a service of excellence with daily activities designed to stimulate, and we are in the process of developing a dementia-friendly reminiscence room.

Volunteering opportunities at Larchwood Court include supporting with reminiscence activities, story reading and support with outings.  Full training will be given to all volunteers.

We would like volunteers to have a valid driving licence.

Contact: Sue Richardson Call: 01474 824122 Email: larchwoodcourt@aol.co.uk

Bridging the GapGillingham

At Bridging the Gap we offer accommodation and support to young people to learn independent living skills in order to support them to move into the community confidently.

We also have a parent and baby house supporting young people with their children as they go through assessments with the local authority, and also supporting them with the skills they need to parent their child safely and confidently.

Volunteering opportunities with Bridging the Gap include; cooking, gardening, providing support with writing CV’s, assisting young people with looking for work, shopping, budgeting, going out, exploring education options, chatting and mentoring.

The criteria that we consider for our volunteers are; smart and presentable appearance, good role models, previous experience with young people, DBS required, driving licence and access to a car, good sense of humour, excellent communication skills, approachable and friendly manner with others, basic computing skills and an understanding and commitment to confidentiality.

 

 

 

Contact: Debbie Appleton Call: 01634 287070 Email: debbie.appleton@btg179.org.uk

The People Care TeamMedway

The People Care Team are a private home-care provider in Medway who support adults, older people and those living with dementia.

The Registered Manager and Director of Care for The People Care Team, Zandie Le Fleming Hodgson says the following:

“I have a passion in delivering excellent care and would like any would-be carers to visit us and experience what good care means.  We are an individual company, small and family-run, but big enough to deliver excellence in the comfort of your own home.  We treat all of our clients as unique individuals and offer individual solutions to our clients.  With my unique extensive nursing experience in the NHS, volunteers will have the opportunity to discover what good care is all about.”

Volunteering opportunities with The People Care Team include; participating in team meetings, participating in the referral and client process, experiencing the journey of care from inception of the care package through to the deliver and review of the care package.

The People Care Team are looking for volunteers with a mature approach and a genuine interest in making a difference to others.

Contact: Zandie Le Fleming Hodgson Call: 01634 731660 Email: zandie@thepeoplecareteam.co.uk

The Mortimer SocietyFrindsbury and Snodland

The Mortimer Society are a small charity with two residential homes, offering care to adults with physical and/or learning disabilities.

There are a variety of opportunities available for people who would like to volunteer at one of our homes.  Examples of activities that people may be interested in taking part in are; talking to residents, playing games with residents, joining in with organised activities, and pampering residents (nail painting, make-up etc).  Volunteers may also like the opportunity to join in with staff training sessions where possible.

We do not have any specific requirements or criteria for those that volunteer with us.

Contact: Melanie McCarthy Call: 01634 244689 Email: m.mccarthy@mortimersociety.org.uk

Holly Lodge Residential Care HomeChatham

Holly Lodge Residential Care Home is a care home for older adults which is registered for older people with mental health needs such as dementia.

Volunteers will be supervised and will be able to assist with delivering social activities for residents.

Volunteers must be over 18 years of age and be able to clear a DBS check.

Contact: Catherine Arthur Call: 01634 843588 Email: hollylodgechat@btconnect.com

West Kent Housing AssociationWainscott

West Kent Housing Association provides an Extra Care Scheme that houses 75 residents who are aged over 55. Independent living, social activity and inclusion are all promoted and encouraged.  This is lively, vibrant scheme where residents want to enjoy life to the full.  The residents living at Montgomery Court in Rochester have different levels of ability and care needs. Montgomery Court is a modern new build development with a stylish interior and good facilities.

Any volunteering ideas will be considered and some ideas for volunteering opportunities are;

  • Computer Training: volunteers who can teach basic computer skills to residents who wish to learn how to use the computer.  This would be available on any days to suit.
  • Restaurant Assistants: volunteers who are able to help bring lunch dishes to the tables and help to clear away afterwards.  This would be available 12-2pm on any days to suit.
  • Activities for adults over 55 years
  • Entertainment for adults over 55 years

Previous experience of working with older people would be preferable.  There is free parking available on site.

Contact: Amanda Fairman Call: 01634 718333 Email: amanda.fairman@wkha.org.uk

Age UK MedwayAcross Medway

Age UK Medway are a registered charitable organisation catering for people over 50 years of age. We recruit and train volunteers and student placements to entertain older people through structured daily activities at one of our 3 Day Centres in Medway.

Volunteers may be able to undertake the following opportunities with us; volunteering in Day Centres, Befriending, Home from Hospital Volunteers, Driving, Escort, Shop Assistant, Administration, Information & Advice and/or volunteering in Dementia Day Centre.

The criteria we look for are for volunteers to be able to show empathy, kindness, commitment and a listening ear.

Contact: Jawaid Khan Call: 01634 722203 Email: jawaidkhan@ageukmedway.org.uk