Volunteer Visitor
 
Volunteer Visitors regularly visit one or more of the older people we support - offering them the chance to see a familiar, friendly face on a regular basis. They may be the only visitors an older person has. This is a great role for those who enjoy a good chinwag over a cuppa or two.

Download the role profile here (Microsoft Word 2003-7 format)

Email the Volunteering department to find out more

Meet Sue, a Volunteer Visitor

Sue lives in West Sussex. For the last ten years, she has volunteered for Independent Age. Now that she has retired from full-time teaching, she is an even more active volunteer. Sue works for a volunteer service in her village that provides the housebound with transportation to hospital, as well as befriending six local Independent Age beneficiaries. We asked her to tell us a bit about being a Volunteer Visitor.

How much time would you say you commit to Independent Age?

Sue: That varies. I always visit once a month and I ring them up  if I think they need help, or I've discovered that they need help in between. You get to know them quite well and some beneficiaries are very independent. They do tend to phone me if they need anything, or if there's  a problem. If that occurs in between my going round to see them, I'll give them a call.

What sort of things do you do when you visit them?

Sue: You sit and chat, you have a drink - hopefully tea, or coffee - and if they need to go somewhere, I will take them. I did arrange trips for tea or coffee some time ago, but some of them are too disabled for that now. I do enjoy taking some out to a local cafe or garden centre.

What do you think your beneficiaries gain most from your visits?

Sue: Well, I think having somebody that they know, who they can phone if they need help. They like having someone who pops in for a natter and a cuppa, too.

What do you think you personally gain from being a volunteer visitor?

Sue: I like getting to know the different people, and knowing that I can do something positive to help them when they need it.