We are looking for Independent Volunteer Advocates to support and empower older people (50+) and carers throughout Wales.
As part of this unique volunteering opportunity, you will help people to understand their rights, explore their options, know what local services available to support them, represent them to third-party organisations and, ultimately, have their voices heard.
So far, our volunteers have made a positive impact in the lives of older people in many ways including the examples below:
- Signposting people clubs and support groups enabling people to overcome social isolation and engage with their local community
- Representing people to landlords to progress urgent house repairs
- By helping people to compile and draft notes to provide to their GP for them get the health care support they need.
Currently you can undertake your volunteering role from home (via phone and Zoom).
What we do for you:
- We’ll help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to undertake the role through our induction training package.
- The staff team will provide you with ongoing support throughout your time volunteering with us, so you’ll always have someone to talk things through with.
- We provide you with opportunities to learn more about the issues that impact older people and carers and to meet other volunteers.
- We have a reward scheme (Tempo Time Credits) where our volunteers can earn credits for their work, these can be spent on things like tickets to tourist attraction and shopping vouchers.
What we are looking for:
- Approachable and friendly people who want to make a difference to the lives of older people and carers.
- Good listening, organisation, and communication skills.
- Reliability, patience, honesty, and trustworthiness.
- Understand the need for confidentiality and to follow our guidance on this.
- You must be over the age of 18.
- You must be able to undertake volunteering work Monday-Friday 9-5 (but we are flexible within these hours).
All volunteers must have a volunteer interview, be able to provide two references, happy to be DBS checked, and undergo our induction training.
Time commitment:
- Flexible, our current advocates dedicate approximately 1-2 hours per week.
About the HOPE project
The HOPE project is a partnership project between Age Cymru, Age Cymru local partners and Age Connects Wales partners across the whole of Wales. HOPE will enable older people (50+) and carers to engage with professionals, participate in their communities, understand their rights, access information to make informed choices and, at the end of the day, have their voices heard.
For more information before applying, including a more detailed volunteer role description, please email ([email protected]) or call 07943186780.