Keep in Touch Service Volunteers

Keep in Touch Service Volunteers

Long term role · Flexible hours
From home
Support workIT
People with disabilitiesOlder peopleCommunity & family
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Carers in Hertfordshire
#48430
Scan me or visit www.govolherts.org.uk/o/Carers-in-Hertfordshire/opportunities/Keep-in-Touch-Service-Volunteers/48430 to join

Contact person

Summary

Our Keep in Touch service was launched in March 2020, by March 2021 our volunteers had contacted and supported thousands of carers who are registered with us.

Detailed description

Due to coronavirus and the support we have needed to offer, we are being more proactive with our carers and seeing real benefits. We need to recruit new Keep in Touch volunteers to help us with this role. The role is based at home and we would ask you to ring 5-10 carers each week. The carers are not expecting our calls and you will get a list with new names each week. 


WHERE, WHEN HOW OFTEN :


You will carry out this role from your own home. Carers in Hertfordshire will provide you with a mobile phone and headset to make calls to carers. You need to have access to a private space to carry out this role.

This a Hertfordshire based role. The average time spent each week if calling 10 carers is approximately 2 to 3 hours. Most calls will be short, approximately 15 minutes, but some may last 30 minutes. Then you will be asked to write up a brief summary of the conversations. You should be able to give at least 3 hours a week. Calls are made between 9.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday during office hours (avoiding lunch).


ROLE :


  • You will receive a list of new carers to call each week of either 5 or 10 carers.
  • Ring the carers on the list and ask “how are you” – the carers will not be expecting calls. The purpose of the call is to check on the wellbeing of the carer.
  • Record notes including any carers’ needs on a form and return to Carers in Hertfordshire
  • You will not be expected to make follow up calls. This is not a befriending service.


SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE :


Essential

  • An understanding/interest in the experience of caring or have been an unpaid family/friend carer.
  • Good communication skills and ability to motivate yourself.
  • Able to get on well with other people and friendly telephone manner.
  • Ability to be non-judgemental.
  • Good organisation skills and ability to prioritise and plan your time.
  • Ability to capture and record information accurately and succinctly.
  • Emotional resilience.
  • General computer skills will be needed to attend Zoom meetings and to use Google email and docs.


WHO WITH :


You’ll be carrying out the role from home but you will have the support of the staff sending you the lists, a daily Duty Manager to contact with urgent questions, regular support and training sessions on Zoom to drop into to discuss emotional or practical issues. Face to face meetings 2 to 3 times a year to meet with other volunteers and some training.


WHAT CAN YOU GAIN FROM THIS OPPORTUNITY :


  • Rewarding experience, helping carers.
  • Daily support from staff in Carers in Hertfordshire.
  • Induction Training to help you get to know the work of the charity and the role.
  • Regular training will be provided to develop your skills.
What volunteers need😇 Disclosure and Barring Service

What we will provide to volunteers

💸 Reimbursement of costs🤝 Extra support
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About Carers in Hertfordshire

Carers in Hertfordshire provides advice, information and support to unpaid carers - people looking after someone who is elderly, disabled, has a physical or mental illness or who misuses drugs or alcohol.

Ensuring Hertfordshire's carers are identified, supported and stay well, is at the heart of our work. We give carers a voice with opportunities to meet other carers. We also enable carers to share their views or experiences with those providing or planning health and social care services in Hertfordshire.

We support carers of all ages - children and adults - if they live, work or care in Hertfordshire. Our services are provided free to carers.

We also have a Care Service in Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford, which involves professional Care Support Workers providing individual packages of care to people with care needs through domiciliary care or Carers' Breaks.