Registered Charity No. 1142519
Welcome to Age UK Dorchester
Information for prospective volunteers
Our commitment to you
Throughout Dorset, Age UK’s and Age Concerns are run mainly by
volunteers and groups. We recognise the valuable contribution each
individual makes, and without volunteers some of our services could
not be offered.
As a volunteer, you can expect a high level of support within the
organisation. A member of staff will be available to support you and
would offer you information and advice whenever you need it.
We encourage all our new volunteers to shadow /observe either a
member of staff or an existing volunteer to help familiarise yourself
with the role. You will be offered relevant training.
We are confident that you will enjoy your volunteering with Age
Concern and have the opportunity to meet new challenges, develop
your skills, gain a great sense of achievement, and contribute to the
lives of older people.
Rowan Cottage 4 Prince of Wales Road Dorchester DT1 1PW
Tel: 01305 269444 Email: info@acdorchester.org or www.acdorchester.org
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The role of Age UK & Age Concerns in your area
All Age UK & Age Concern Groups in Dorset are run independently of
each other. Each Group has a diverse range of facilities and services
available to its members. You will find a brief outline of how your local
Age UK, Age Concern is operated at the back of this booklet.
Finding the right role for you
There is a wide range of volunteering opportunities on offer. Your role
as a volunteer can be as varied or as simple as you wish. Your
coordinator will discuss with you the different aspects and you will be
able to commit to as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.
We appreciate that abilities, experience and interests have a role to
play and welcome volunteers from all walks of life. Each role is of
equal importance to the eventual outcome to which we all strive.
Expenses
All reasonable out of pocket expenses will be paid. A claim form is
supplied in your induction pack.
Identification
All our volunteers are issued with a photographic identification badge
which must be worn at all times whilst volunteering for us.
Voting Membership
We encourage all our volunteers to become voting members of Age
UK Dorchester. As a member you will have the right to vote and to
take an active role in the decision making process.
References and Police checks
All new volunteers must provide two references; either from
employment or a personal reference from individuals who have
known you for at least 2 years. References will be followed up by Age
UK Dorchester. All volunteers who will be working on a one to one
basis with vulnerable people will be checked through the CRB
(Criminals Record Bureau). A criminal conviction will not prevent full
consideration of your application.
Voluntary Work and State Benefits
If you are claiming benefits whilst doing voluntary work we advise you
to contact the Dept of Works and Pensions to check whether your
voluntary work will affect your benefits.
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What can you expect from Age Concern Dorchester?
You will be given an initial induction to the organisation, an
explanation of your volunteering role and an introduction to your
coordinator.
Training
Training specific to your role will be offered.
Confidentiality
We will only request relevant personal information from you. All
information will be kept confidential.
Equal Opportunities
We have an equal opportunities policy which is available at anytime
to read. The main aim is to treat people with respect and ensure
that there is no discrimination, abuse, harassment or bullying of fellow
volunteers or paid staff, clients or members of the public. We will not
accept any discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, race,
gender, sexuality, religion, illness, marital, employment, financial or
social status.
Volunteer Handbook
Health and Safety
We have a health and safety policy which is available at any time to
read. It is important that you comply with our policy, observing any
specific requirements of your volunteering role and that you do not
take any action that might put you or any other person at risk of injury
or harm. You should always advise a member of staff of any
potential hazard or of any situation that you feel puts you or any other
person at risk.
Reviews
Your coordinator will offer you a review within your first 6 months.
This is an opportunity for you to raise any concerns or problems you
may have and allows time for you to discuss whether your
volunteering placement is right for you.
Insurance
We have insurance in place to cover all our volunteers.
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What is Expected of You as a Volunteer?
Commitment and Reliability
Please try to give a clear indication of the time you can offer us
please don’t over commit yourself. You should give as much notice
as possible if you are unable to carry out your volunteering duties at
any time or plan to be away for any reason.
Confidentiality
It is essential that any personal information you learn about
individuals must not be disclosed to anyone outside the organisation
without the permission of the person concerned. We will ask you to
sign a volunteer agreement which stipulates this.
Some ‘Do’s and ‘Don'ts for Volunteers
Do think about why you want to volunteer.
Do make sure you know who you are responsible to and who you can
go to for help and advice.
Do accept reimbursement for any out of pocket expenses you have
incurred while volunteering. You can donate the money back if you
don’t need or want it.
Do keep to any arrangement you have made with us. If you cannot
keep an appointment, or you are going to be late, tell your coordinator
in plenty of time.
Do tell us about any health problems that may affect your
volunteering.
Do enjoy yourself
Don’t start volunteering until you know exactly what is expected of
you.
Don’t over commit yourself.
Don’t leave without telling anyone first. If you don’t feel that your
volunteering is providing the experience that you want, speak to your
coordinator; they may be able to find a solution.
Don’t accept money as payment from someone you have helped
while volunteering. Explain to them that they can make a donation to
the organisation if they wish to do so.
Don’t betray any confidences entrusted to you as a volunteer.
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Areas where help from volunteers is always welcome
Day Centre
We provide day care for up to 15 people every weekday except
Thursdays. Various tasks from serving lunch and refreshments, to
helping with activities throughout the day.
Lunch Club
Held in our Roger Thomas room every Tuesday, Wednesday and
Friday.
‘Fun & Food’ Activity Day
Every first Thursday of every month, we run our ‘Pick and Mix’
Activity Day. We provide fun and support for older people with a
range of conditions, aiming for a different programme of events each
month.
Shopping Service
We help to support older people in their own home by offering a
shopping service.
Information and Advice
We can provide a tailored information and advice on a range of
matters, particularly in the following areas. Health and disability
matters, residential care, finding help at home and services provided
by Adult Social Care and other local organisations.
Welfare Benefits
Could you be a home-visiting Welfare Benefits advisor in your local
community, providing benefit checks and helping to complete
applications in respect of benefits such as Attendance Allowance,
Pension Credit and Disability Living Allowance?
Drivers
Supporting older people who are unable to get out and about.
Insurance and Trading
Providing insurance services for older people.
Computer Courses
We offer a variety of computer courses, with one-to-one tuition,
specially tailored to older people.
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Befriending Service
A social support service to help people who would like to get out and
about a bit more, to meet new people and more importantly, make
new friends. Or, for those that are house bound, a visit to have a chat
and a cup of tea makes all the difference to their day.
Exercise Classes
Helping people of 50 years of age and over get in shape, feel good
about themselves and have fun! Classes include belly dancing, Tai
Chi, Pilates, table tennis, gentle chair-based exercises and much
more!
The Evergreens
Our ‘social club’ that meets on a Wednesday afternoon. We have a
different itinenary every week.
Fundraising
Raising money to fund our services and activities.
Gardening
We have a lovely garden here at Rowan Cottage and an allotment
where we grow fruit and vegetables.
General Administration & Reception
General office tasks like, answering the telephone, filing, welcoming
visitors, answering queries, taking messages and forwarding on
information.
Age UK Charity Shop & Information Centre
All monies raised by our charity shop in Trinity Street Dorchester are
used to support older people’s services in Dorset. An area in the shop
has been set up as a community hub, for information about our
services and what’s happening in the local community.
A few last words
All the hard work that Age UK Dorchester carries out in the
community couldn’t happen without our volunteers. We are sure that
you will thrive on the experience of being a volunteer and your
contribution will certainly be valued.