Thamesmead Befriending Café Volunteer - Mondays

The charity operates a number of Befriending Cafés across the borough in partnership with other voluntary and statutory organisations. This opportunity represents a critical part of the charity’s developing community presence and its work in reaching new audiences. The opportunity will be to assist and/or lead sessions and activities for older people, on behalf of Age UK and in partnership with other local organisations and independent practitioners employed to support the resource.

This charity takes the safety of those that use and deliver its services very seriously. We work hard to ensure all risk management and infection control measures are robust and in place across all our services. Where there are concerns in relation to this commitment, the charity encourages its staff and volunteers to raise any issues with its managers, trustees and commissioners.

• Meet and greet older people
• Prepare and serve refreshments, play games i.e bingo or a quiz.
• Take any queries about older people’s services and signpost to Age UK Bexley.
• Join in with activities.
• Clear the area; put away chairs and wash up
• Keep basic monitoring figures (eg: numbers attending and number of enquiries received)

Social groups for older people have been shown to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, enhance emotional wellbeing and improve cognitive function and this volunteering opportunity helps achieve these outcomes for the guests who attend.

What skills do I need?

Knowledge, skills and abilities: 

• A willingness and ability to participate in mandatory training sessions as and when required
• A genuine interest and concern for older people.
• An ability to advocate for, and support the interests of older people using Age UK services

We are looking for:

• An enthusiastic and positive outlook
• Willingness and ability to get involved
• Empathy with older people
• A warm, polite and friendly manner
• Good communication skills
• Someone who is reliable and dependable.

Volunteers must be over the age of 18, willing to undertake a DBS and induction training and willing to make a regular weekly commitment (although fortnightly may be possible).

In return you will receive training and ongoing support and invitations to social events.