Get involved
Could you volunteer a small amount of time to make a big difference?
Who can volunteer?
Our volunteers range from students at university, to working people, to the retired.
What does volunteering involve?
The nature of the role is that anyone who has a spare hour a week can manage a little volunteering with Engage and make a huge difference to someone else’s life.
We look to match volunteers with someone in their own locality and, where possible, with someone who shares similar interests. This enables a meaningful relationship to be formed between client and volunteer, and keeps the client in touch with their own local community too. We will take into account your preferences regarding which Engage programme would be most suitable for you.
Face to Face Befriending
Overview
The Engage Befriending Programme matches a volunteer befriender with an individual who is isolated or alone in their local community. They meet for approximately an hour a week to engage in conversation and build a positive friendship.
Time involved
1–2 hrs weekly/Fortnightly as agreed with client.
Training required
Volunteer Induction & safeguarding training.
Who we’re looking for
Friendly person with a non judgmental attitude & good listening skills.
Where it’s based
Clients home & coffee shop.
Telephone Befriending
Overview
The Engage Befriending Programme matches a volunteer befriender with an individual who is isolated or alone in their local community. They talk on the phone to engage in conversation and build a positive friendship.
Time involved
1-2 hrs weekly/Fortnightly as agreed with client.
Training required
Volunteer Induction & safeguarding training.
Who we’re looking for
Friendly person with a non judgmental attitude & good listening skills.
Where it’s based
Anywhere on the telephone.
Monthly Drop In
Overview
Meeting and chatting with the people in the group
Time involved
2 hrs monthly (currently 2nd Thursday of the month)
Training required
Sent safeguarding & confidentiality policies & chat with coordinator.
Who we’re looking for
Someone who is friendly and able to chat to different people who attend the drop in/order the refreshments.
Where it’s based
Atrium coffee shop.
Client Check In
Overview
Phoning telephone matched client for a 6 monthly check in, checking things are going well with volunteer and other issues/comments.
Time involved
2 hrs fortnightly
Training required
Safeguarding training & chat with coordinator.
Who we’re looking for
Someone who is friendly on the telephone/Updating the database with details of your call.
Where it’s based
Office or home based.
Telephone match review
Overview
Phoning telephone matched clients for a review of the match. Completing Word document review form.
Time involved
1-2 hrs weekly
Training required
Safeguarding training & sent safeguarding & confidentiality policies
Who we’re looking for
Someone who is confident on the phone and confident to complete Word documents after training by staff.
Where it’s based
Office or home based
Newsletter Volunteer
Overview
Someone to send out monthly newlstter & putting in envelopes etc.
Time involved
2-4 hrs monthly
Training required
Chat with manager & administrator.
Who we’re looking for
Someone who can compile our monthly newsletter to clients – looking out for input as well as ideas from staff.
Where it’s based
Home or office.
Office Volunteer
Overview
Assisting the Engage administrator with office work, such as admin/scanning/printing etc.
Time involved
2 hrs monthly.
Training required
Chat with manager & administrator.
Who we’re looking for
Someone to send out monthly newsletter & putting in envelopes etc.
Where it’s based
Mustard Tree office.
What does befriending involve?
We look to match volunteers with someone in their own locality and, where possible, with someone who shares similar interests. This enables a meaningful relationship to be formed between client and volunteer, and keeps the client in touch with their own local community too. We will take into account your preferences regarding which Engage programme would be most suitable for you.
Count me in
To become a befriender just complete the volunteer application below and post or email it back to us using the contact details provided.
Download a PDF version here
Download a Word version here
For our volunteer information pack, click here
If you would like to volunteer in an alternative capacity please get in touch; we would love to talk with you.
Our monthly volunteer newsletter
Each month we will send you our volunteer newsletter. It’s an opportunity to share with your our news, views and activities to enjoy with your Engage friend. See the latest issues here.