Approximately 1 in 8 people in the UK are unpaid carers (6.5 million) who support family members, friends, or neighbours to live independently in their own home and enhance their lives through the assistance provided.
Carers are tasked with looking after someone who is suffering with a physical illness, a mental health condition, or a substance abuse problem. Very often the caring responsibilities, although rewarding, can be detrimental to the carers’ own physical and mental health and financial situation.
Carers Trust Heart of England supports carers in Coventry and Warwickshire enabling them to continue in their caring role and look after themselves as well as the person they care for.
We need volunteers who are empathetic, eager to help others and keen to take the initiative to support Carers Trust Heart of England in our work to ensure that we do everything we can to assist carers. We help carers by providing them with information, advice, and both practical and emotional support.
We need volunteers for the following:
Befriending/Check In Calls to carers.
The Active Chats Project which combines befriending with encouraging carers to engage in gentle physical activity to boost confidence and improve mobility.
Supporting the Young Carers Team (dealing with carers aged 5-18) to deliver activities, events, outings, and life skill sessions.
Helping assess and regulate the charity’s financial affairs by becoming a Treasurer (you MUST be studying for or have a qualification in business/finance/accounting to do this role).
Facilitating and assisting with the running of face-to-face and virtual support groups.
Language skills including comprehension and translation
General administration and research
This list is not exhaustive and we are more than happy to discuss any other work you may wish to do for the organisation.
Process to Becoming a Volunteer
Step One: Filling out an application form
Step Two: Informal interview
Step Three: Induction following successful interview and two satisfactory references
Step Three: Completing our in-house training and going through the DBS process (it can take approximately 2-3 weeks to receive your DBS certificate)
Benefits to the Carer:
Carers will feel much more assured and collected from knowing that they have a lifeline they can turn to.
You will be helping carers gain skills that they can continue to use for the long term and will be invaluable for day-to-day living.
You will help carers achieve a better state of emotional wellbeing.
Benefits to the Volunteer:
The opportunity to help others, especially at this time of continuing uncertainty
Online training will be provided which can be included on your CV
An enhanced DBS certificate at no cost to the volunteer
Expenses will be reimbursed
A reference
Practical experience of working with people from all backgrounds
All face-to-face visits will be thoroughly risk assessed and will be in accordance with the latest Government and Carers Trust Heart of England regulations
Volunteers will be provided with ample Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if making face-to-face visits
