GOOD NEIGHBOUR - Central area
Hosted by: Age UK Barnsley

Good Neighbour
Purpose of the role:
To provide practical support to lonely or isolated older people in your community. People may need help in times of ill health, bad weather or following temporary changes to their daily activities, such as family members going on holiday. The support can be one-off, short term or long term so is suitable for volunteers who have varying availability.
Main Tasks:
• To support a lonely or isolated older person in your community when they need extra help
• This includes but is not limited to picking up some shopping for someone who has been unable to get out of the house, collecting a prescription, posting a letter or reminding someone about an appointment
• Help out with small one-off jobs around the house for someone who is struggling to do the job themselves
• Looking out for an older neighbour in the event of bad weather
• Help to build an older person’s confidence. For example, accompanying them to a group or social event until they have the confidence to attend alone, meeting someone for a cuppa at a local café or going with them on a small walk to get some fresh air, being a travel companion
• Attend relevant training for the role where required
• To report any issues or concerns to the Social Inclusion Worker
• Any other tasks identified that may be relevant to the role

Recruitment process:

We always welcome new volunteers and value the contributions that our volunteers make to the work we do for the elderly people of Barnsley.

We do have a procedure for the recruitment of volunteers; this includes the completion of a short application form followed by an informal chat with either the Volunteer Coordinator or the service manager.

Skills and quaifications:

Requirements:
• A genuine interest in older people and their welfare
• Comfortable talking to older people and able to make them feel at ease
• Good communication, listening and interpersonal skills
• Honesty, reliability and trustworthiness
• A commitment to the Policies and Procedures of Age UK Barnsley, including but not limited to Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding of Vulnerable adults, Data Protection with the need to maintain confidentiality and Age UK Barnsley’s Health and Safety requirements
• A Disclosure and Barring Check must be completed prior to undertaking this role

Hours of work: This is ad-hoc and can either be short term or longer term support, depending
on what suits you.

Gender restrictions?: No
Type of activity: Befriending and buddying