Have you ever thought of volunteering in the local area?

Age UK are looking for Befrienders to join their lively team and, as a part of Volunteers Week 2023 (1 – 7 June), have put out a call to recruit you.

Age UK Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland is an independent local charity with a national name. They work in the local community to help older people live happier, active, fulfilled and socially-engaged lives in communities around the city, county and Rutland. 

They are a voluntary organisation that exists to promote the wellbeing of all older people by helping to make life fulfilling and enjoyable.

Normanton Church, Rutland Water. Image credit: Nub News.

A spokesperson said: "Our main aim is to develop sufficient and relevant services that reflect the needs and wishes of older people living in the city of Leicester and counties of Leicestershire & Rutland." 

As a part of this, they are recruiting volunteers to support their Befriending scheme, a community-focused venture that runs across Rutland.

As a Befriender, you will take time out of your schedule weekly, fortnightly or even monthly, to visit a member of the programme looking for friendship. 

Those who use the service often live alone and are isolated by age, mobility and health issues, or through living in rural locations. Many are over 60 and simply want a friendly face to share stories and a hot cup of tea with. 

This is where you come in. 

Oakham Buttercross, Market Place. Image credit: Nub News.

Befrienders can apply to volunteer with Age UK on their website (LINK), following which you will be asked to fill in an application form and provide two personal referees.

From this, and a follow up meeting with the Befriending Coordinator, Age UK will provide a DBS check, which the team reassured is "nothing to worry about", is free with the charity, and will ensure that you are a suitable candidate for the scheme. 

You will then be matched with a vulnerable or lonely older person in Rutland. 

The charity also pay travel expenses, so joining them as a volunteers costs you nothing – only a spare few hours each time you visit. 

You would not be expected to help around the house or undertake any caring duties. Befrienders are simply a pair of ears for listening, a shoulder for leaning, and a keen pair of eyes for watching, should your new friend need any further help from Age UK.

Yvonne Rawlings of Age UK Rutland said: "Our Befrienders often spot if someone requires further emotional support, if they are struggling, or if they may need more specialist care. It is why they are such an important part of what we do."

Victoria Ugrinic, Volunteer Befriending Coordinator, added: "We value our volunteers and work carefully to match them with the right person, taking background and boundaries into account.  We offer ongoing support throughout the befriending relationship and training where needed. This is really important as it means that both volunteers and users get the best out of the service, are happy and able to be themselves."

Dean's Street, Oakham. Image credit: Nub News.

If you want to find out more about the services on offer or the Befriending scheme, the team will be at the Rutland County Show on Sunday 4 June and would love to see you for a chat. 

For now, you can find out more about Age UK on their website, or check out the range of activities on offer with the group here. 

As an independent local charity, the group rely on your local support to keep serving the community. 

They are supported by donations from the public, legacies, corporate partnerships, income from charity shops, and charitable grants from trusts and foundations.

Find out more and donate on their website.

Oakham Castle. Image credit: Nub News.

Victoria concluded: "We have an ever-growing waiting list of older people who are either housebound or have few people to visit or even talk to, which can be harmful to health and mental wellbeing. You could make a huge difference to their lives with a simple visit for a friendly chat - whilst being part of a group of amazing volunteers and receiving ongoing support from the coordinator.

"If you think you can help on a short or long term basis, or would like to help with a coffee and chat meeting, please get in touch to find out more! You never know it could make a positive difference to your own life!"

Find out more about the role including how to volunteer online or email Victoria on [email protected].