Age UK Southampton is a local independent charity set up to support older people to live healthy, fulfilling and independent lives.
Meet the Services Team
From left to right: Jane Essery (Digital Inclusion Manager), Nadine Costello (Support Services Team Leader), Chris Hill (Information & Advice Team Leader) and Liz Barrow (Business Support).
We have been operating in the city since 1962 and offer a range of services to alleviate loneliness and isolation, improve health and wellbeing, reduce poverty and support independent living. These include information & advice, help with welfare benefits, a home visiting service for lonely older people, social clubs, computer groups and day-care.
Volunteer Your Time – Make a difference!
“I visited the charity to ask about clubs I could join as I was new to the area. To get to know more people I became a volunteer and have helped support the Information & Advice office for over 7 years and absolutely love it.”
Age UK Southampton focusses on provision of volunteer-led services. Our strength is our volunteers and we want to make your experience of volunteering a rewarding one. We simply couldn’t manage to deliver all of our services without the contribution of our committed volunteers who dedicate their time and effort to make life better for older people in Southampton.
If you are interested in volunteering please get in touch. Our volunteers gain a real sense of achievement knowing that they are helping older people to retain their independence and remain in their own homes, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness in their communities.
All our roles are within these core times: Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00 pm with the exception of Fundraising roles which can include weekend and evening working. All volunteers are given the necessary training and have the support and guidance of managers and colleagues. There is insurance cover in place for our volunteers and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses can be claimed.
We are committed to the wellbeing and safety of our staff and clients, and are aware that many of the people we support are potentially vulnerable. For some volunteering roles it may be necessary for an application to be made for disclosure of any information held on police records by the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service).
At a loose end? * Want to try something different? * Utilise your skills? *
Recently retired? * Looking for work? * Bored? * Lonely? *
Or do you just want to make a difference?
Whatever your reason, we would love to hear from you!
We have volunteering opportunities in several areas and whether you have an hour to fill or a whole day we would welcome your interest and commitment to support older people.
Volunteer Vacancies at a glance
| Volunteer Role | To do what? | Skills | Time commitment |
| Volunteering – Social | |||
| Visiting Service | Visiting an older person in their own home for a cuppa and a chat | Good communication and listening skills. | One hour a week
|
| Activities Volunteer | Spending time with and supporting older people to achieve their goals at our Day Centres in the city. Crafts, activities, exercises etc. | Enthusiasm, good team working, patience and understanding. | Four hours a week + |
| Telephone Befriender | Call an older person to reduce loneliness | Good communication and listening skills. | One hour a week |
| Shirley Chums Coffee Afternoon | Meet, greet and chat to clients. Help with refreshments, room set up and put away. | Outgoing personality, team working. | Two hours a week (Friday 1 – 3) |
| Volunteering – Digital | |||
| Digital Champion | Assist NHS patients to use Zoom sessions to exercise online. | IT skills to set up Zoom sessions on tablets face to face and over the phone. | One hour a week |
| IT drop in | Supporting those who want to learn about all things digital! | 1:1 with clients to navigate the digital world using smartphones, tablets, etc. e.g. setting up email, accessing photos, downloading Apps etc. | Two hours a week (Friday 10 – 12)
|
Volunteering – Information / Advice / Admin |
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| Information and Advice Admin | General administration – updating lists, data entry, ordering booklets and checking stock. | General administration with basic IT skills | Three hours a week |
| Information and Advice Volunteer Adviser | Assisting with delivery of the Information & Advice (I&A) service to improve the lives of older people
• Providing (I&A) face-to-face and over the phone • Completing welfare benefits checks and helping with benefits claims. Training provided. |
An understanding of the issues facing older people, good telephone manner and basis IT skills. | Four hours a week + |
| Welfare Benefits Home Visiting Volunteer | Visiting clients in their homes to help with completion of certain benefit forms. E.g. Attendance Allowance, Blue Badge, PIP etc. Training provided. | Good communication and listening skills. Organised and able to work on own initiative. Confidence in completing forms with clear handwriting. | Four hours a week |
| Home Assessment Volunteer | Visit clients in their own home to assess suitability for the Visiting Service and to identify access to services to best suit their needs and wishes. e.g. information and advice, lunch clubs, social groups etc. | Good communication and listening skills. Organised and able to work on own initiative. | Four hours a week |
For further information, please visit their website via this link or click this link to contact them by email.
Telephone: 023 8036 8636
