Royal Voluntary Service - Good Neighbours West Sussex
Who Are We?
The Royal Voluntary Service, (RVS) Good Neighbours Service provides support which is tailor-made to an individual’s needs. The demand for our free service is growing and we are urgently in need of more volunteers to help those that reach out to us.
The Role
As a Good Neighbours Volunteer, you need a friendly personality and an understanding of the needs of older people, aged 65 and over. The overall aim of the service is to enable older people to increase their social contact and become more active in their local community, whilst building their confidence.
How we help
Initially, the RVS service coordinators undertake a home assessment with the client at a pre-arranged time to discuss their background, current activities, interests and what help they feel they need to enable them to become less socially isolated and to live the life they want.
We then draw up a plan, discuss it with the client and look to match a suitable volunteer with the client, to help them to build confidence and reduce their social isolation.
The opportunity
This is an ideal volunteering opportunity if you want to use your caring skills and contribute to the work of the charity by enriching the lives of older people.
The volunteer visits could include helping with such things as:
- Helping someone to access or attend a nearby club or group.
- Accompanying them on a short walk or outing.
- Assisting them to go shopping locally, or to meet up with friends.
- Giving them help to re-engage with former local contacts or to make new ones.
- Providing regular visits from a volunteer for up to 12 weeks, per client.
Loneliness and isolation can have a devastating impact on a person’s health and wellbeing, but you could be the difference to improving their quality of life. Volunteering doesn’t have to take up a lot of time, and just an hour or two per week could mean so much to an elderly resident who finds it difficult to get out.
Our volunteers say they love the fact they are helping socially isolated elderly people within their local community and feel they are giving something back whilst really making a difference, so why not sign up to volunteer today!
Contact us
If you would like to do something amazing today and volunteer, then please get in touch either by phone on 01903 257019 or by email at gnwscoastal@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
You can also visit and sign up via our website www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
Please note that for undertaking this role an enhanced DBS (police) check will be required.
Skills
· A friendly personality.
· Good communication skills.
· An awareness of confidentiality.
· A non-judgemental attitude.
· The ability to work within legal and Royal Voluntary Service guidelines.
Availability
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Afternoon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Evening | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Normally our volunteering visits happen during the week, however, evening and weekend volunteering support opportunities can be considered, please contact the RVS team for more details.
Location
Countywide