Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteer at work

"CARM is a good charity to volunteer for - it is local and therefore can have a direct impact rather than being a huge charity with lots of bureaucracy, and the staff give excellent backup for any queries I might need answered plus good relevant and friendly training. Long may it continue!" MK

We have around 125 dedicated and hard working volunteer providing vital services to help older and vulnerable people. All our volunteers are CRB checked and about 80 receive training to help them deliver reminiscence and befriending services. We have the following opportunities available:

Volunteer Visitors (Well-Being at Home)
Want to make a lasting difference?

If you can spare just one hour a week you can make such a difference to someone who is lonely. We support housebound people who may be elderly, disabled or experiencing mental distress. We need volunteers who will visit for a chat and a cuppa.

"Why do I like being a volunteer? I feel privileged to be a visitor as I enjoy meeting people and it is often very humbling to learn about people's lives in times past. It is very rewarding when you visit someone to see the pleasure it gives them to have someone to talk and laugh with. People become friends not just clients. An altogether satisfying role to have.” BB

Reminiscence volunteers (Our Memories Matter)

Trained volunteers, working in pairs and supported by a project co-ordinator, work in residential care homes for older people. Residents are encouraged to share their memories during these weekly sessions. This is a great opportunity to benefit from free training and to be involved in a longer-term project.

Interested?

If you are interested in our home visiting service (Well-Being at Home) or our reminiscence project (Our Memories Matter) there is a formal application process. We ask you to contact us and we will arrange to meet up with you to talk about the volunteering role. We will then ask you to fill in a short form and return it to us. We will also help you to complete Criminal Records Bureau check form. Click the link at the bottom of this page or ring CARM on 01233 758122.

Support for our volunteers

We believe it’s important to support our volunteers. CARM’s workers are available for advice and information by telephone.

Home visitors are offered one-to-one meeting once a year, and Volunteer Meetings take place regularly. There is also an occasional newsletter specifically for Well-Being at Home.

Our Memories Matter volunteers receive training in reminiscence work and then have regular meetings to give feedback and get support.

Our trustees (Management Committee) are also volunteers who give their time to manage the development and direction of CARM.

To enquire about Volunteering for CARM