Volunteer Opportunities
Position vacant on the board of trustees
An opportunity has arisen with our organisation for a position on the board of trustees. The Board are looking for a new member who has an understanding of financial matters and can read and explain financial spreadsheets and budgets. Support and (if necessary) training will be given To express an interest in becoming a trustee of the Age Concern Sir Gâr Board and for further information, please contact the Chief Officer. The post is unpaid, although travel expenses are paid.
Volunteering Info
People volunteer for many reasons, to gain work experience, to help others, to get out of the house, to make friends etc etc.
Why do we involve volunteers?
Volunteers add value to the work of Age Concern. Local volunteers help to develop and support their local community and inspire understanding and respect between generations.
What will I get out of volunteering?
- Fun - The enjoyment of working as part of a valuable team.
- Socialising - A chance to meet people, make new friends and gain confidence and new skills.
- Recognition - The chance to use your individual talents and skills to benefit others.
- Training - Personal development and growth.
- Wellbeing - A rewarding feeling of helping someone.
- Respect - The knowledge that you have made a huge beneficial difference to someone’s life.
- Future – adding skills to your CV
Will I be given training?
You will be given all the information and support you need to help you give your best. The training may be informal or formal or “on the job”. Every volunteer will have someone to refer to for help and support.
What if I don’t want to do formal training?
The majority of our training is on an informal basis and there are no tests or exams.
Is there much paperwork?
There is very little paperwork involved, and support and help can be given if wanted. This usually involves claiming your travel and related expenses and completing a timesheet showing how many hours you’ve volunteered for Age Concern in a month. Unfortunately this kind of information is always needed by organisations such as ours to help us in our constant search for funding.
What time and commitment do I need to give?
With all volunteering roles, some form of commitment is essential. However, some roles need a regular commitment whilst others are arranged more flexibly. For instance a shopping volunteer might give a commitment of 2 hours a week, whilst a silver surfer tutor might only want to volunteer for 4 hours a month.
I’m not sure what I want to do with Age Concern
We will help you match your skills and time with the roles we have available. However, if you feel that the volunteer roles at Age Concern are not for you, we can refer you to the Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services: www.cavs.org.uk.
Volunteering opportunities are available for all our services. If you think you’d enjoy doing something positive for yourself whilst benefiting others along the way, contact us for a chat about volunteering.
Our commitment to you
Your time, skills and enthusiasm makes a difference to the lives of others. Without your help, most of our work would not be possible.
We will help you get the most out of your voluntary experience by giving you support and training and meeting legal and other requirements.
Making you feel part of Age Concern Sir Gâr
We will ensure that you:
- Have regular contact with other volunteers and paid staff
- Are always treated fairly and without discrimination
- Are treated with respect and consideration at all times
- Have opportunities to influence our work
Support and Training
You will always:
- Be given clear information on what is expected of you
- Be given advice and information on how to carry out your work
- Have someone to talk to about your work
- Know that your contribution is valued
Legal and Other Requirements
You will always:
- Be covered by proper insurance in your voluntary work
- Be reimbursed for reasonable expenses (ie mileage, bus fares, lunch etc.)
- Have a safe environment in which to work
- Be asked for your views about any changes we may make
Volunteer money matters
Expenses
Your help is invaluable. However, We don’t wish our volunteers to be out of pocket because of volunteering. We will reimburse you for reasonable expenses such as mileage, bus fares etc.
Insurance
We have insurance protection to cover our volunteers. The type and level of cover varies according to the volunteer role. If you need more information about the nature and level of insurance cover for your chosen volunteer role, please ask.
Fair Play
You and everyone else involved with Age Concern Sir Gâr have the right to be treated fairly and without discrimination.
Age Concern Sir Gâr will not accept any form of unfair discrimination, victimisation or harassment on the grounds of age, disability, education, gender, gender re-assignment, HIV status, marital status, nationality, political allegiance, race, religious belief or sexual orientation in its work for older people.
If you feel you are not being treated fairly or if you want to speak up for someone else or you simply want more information about what this means, please let us know.
Volunteering Application Form
Download volunteering application form
Comments, suggestions and complaints
We are constantly striving to improve our services and welcome any comments or suggestions you wish to make.
However, if something should go wrong we will try to resolve the situation as soon as possible. If you are not sure who to give your comments, suggestions or complaints to, please contact us.
Corporate volunteering – successful volunteering partnership with the Department of Work and Pensions- March-April 2010
Age Concern Sir Gar recently benefited from help with painting and decorating its offices in Llanelli as well as help at various events distributing information, by staff of the Swansea offices of the Department of Work and Pensions under their volunteering 5,000 scheme. The feedback from staff participating was that they thoroughly enjoyed the work they did for the charity and felt they helped to make a difference as well as learning more about the work of the organisation.
The charity would welcome approaches from other organisations wishing to do the same and if you would like to learn more please contact Ann Dymock, chief officer on 01554 784080.