We're recruiting volunteers now
Volunteers play a vital role in helping us achieve our aims, and compliment the work of paid staff. As a not for profit organisation we welcome volunteers and believe that volunteers really can and do make a difference to people’s lives.
Volunteers are welcome in all areas of the business. Whatever your reasons for wanting to volunteer with us, whether you want to make new friends, share a skill or hobby or are looking to gain experience to improve your employment prospects; if you have some spare time to offer on a regular basis, we would love to hear from you.
For more information on the individual role profiles, click on the headings below to reveal more information. If you want to apply for a volunteer role please contact Orwell via our contact form below and we will be happy to discuss how we may be able to work together. You can also contact us if you have any questions at volunteer@orwell-housing.co.uk
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Activities Role Profile
What will I be doing?
- You will be helping us to ensure that our clients have an activity that they can opt to join in with once a week at their residences.
- You will be capable in whatever activity this is, it could be cake making, cookery, gardening, teaching the ukulele, helping clients to learn sign language, or even an alternative language to English, planning days out, the list is endless.
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Befriending Role Profile
What will I be doing?
- You will be helping us to ensure that our clients have someone to spend time with, chatting, playing games, cards, etc.
- You will be capable in whatever activity this is and be able to create a comfortable atmosphere to share with the clients.
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Gardening Role Profile
What will I be doing?
- You will be working with our gardening team.
- Duties will involve all aspects of gardening, weeding, grass cutting, planting, pruning, etc.
- You will be supervised by the team and given tasks to complete.
- May include some small building projects such as arbours, trellis, fencing, etc.
- We also appreciate suggestions to improve areas and planting ideas.
If you would like to know more about what to expect from these volunteer roles, please click on the questions below. We have explained some of the expectations.
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What commitment do I need to make?
- Availability is flexible but must suit the needs of the clients, we would love at least one visit per week – specific hours to be agreed with the Service Manager
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What skills and qualities do I need?
- Be friendly, patient, compassionate, encouraging and understanding
- Be reliable and punctual
- Respect for others, and an understanding of confidentiality
- Willingness to work as part of a team and on your own
- A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
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What training will I be offered?
- Induction
- Equality & Diversity awareness
- Fire Safety awareness
- Health and Safety awareness
- Lone Working
- Any training specific to this placement
- We also offer pathways to further education and employment
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What support will I receive?
- You will be offered regular one-to-one sessions with your supervisor, and an annual review
- You are welcome to attend monthly team meetings
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Can I claim expenses?
- You will be entitled to claim public transport expenses (or their equivalent), subject to agreed guidelines
- Any other out of pocket expenses will need to be agreed in advance with your supervisor
