We are lucky at AgeCare Care Homes to have some wonderful people who give up their time and energy to make a difference to the daily lives of our residents.
All our volunteers are valued members of AgeCare, supporting residents and teams with a variety of tasks that include assisting with mealtimes, helping with activities, engaging residents in conversation and simply adding a friendly face to the day.
Anyone can volunteer, regardless of age or background. Many of our volunteers have or have had partners or relatives in our homes and then continue to stay in touch and help out on a regular basis.
Volunteering has many benefits for both the volunteer and the care home, it is a ‘two-way street’ that generates wellbeing, a sense of purpose and personal growth. As a volunteer there is opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and revitalise old skills such as sewing or art, passing these skills on to others. Just reading a newspaper for a resident or helping sort books, having a chat over a cup of tea, can make the world of difference.
For our younger volunteers, such as Veronica, who recently helped us at Woodbury Manor, it offers hands-on work experience that can enhance job prospects and set them on the right path for the future.
“During my time at Woodbury Manor, I worked closely with the Activity Team, helping prepare the home for entertainer visits and setting up for activities. I also helped with breakfast service. I really enjoyed engaging with the residents and seeing how much joy and comfort these moments bring them.
This placement has been such a fulfilling experience for me. I’ve learned so much from the team and the residents, and I feel proud to be making a positive difference. It’s a place where I feel valued and inspired every day.”
Mia, another of our student volunteers, enjoyed her time with us so much that she is becoming a permanent member of the team at Woodbury Manor, as an Activity Coordinator.
In many cases, our volunteers are family members who want to stay connected and give back. At Five Oaks, we are fortunate to have two such individuals – Sandra and Kalpesh, whose support has become a cherished part of daily life at the home.
Sandra, whose mother lives at Five Oaks, lends a hand with decorating, setting up for events, supporting the laundry team, and even running activities like bingo. Her positive, friendly nature lights up the home, and she gives her time freely, out of gratitude for the care her mum receives.
Kalpesh, the son of another resident, is equally dedicated. He helps during mealtimes and with resident activities, but also goes a step further – sharing his clinical knowledge and thoughtful suggestions that help enhance the quality of care we provide. His encouraging nature and appreciation for the team’s efforts make him a much-valued presence at Five Oaks.
Often our volunteers bring new skills and experience that complement those of our teams, this means we can offer more services and activities at no extra cost. At the same time, we are able to extend our reach into the community through our volunteers and their interests and connections. We learn from each other, keep up to date and our volunteers provide a new dynamic to the working day, with news from their own lives.
You could call it a labour of love but the impact our volunteers have is immeasurable and without them our homes would not be the same.
If you would like to find out more about volunteering, if we can help you add value and purpose to your life whilst helping support our residents, we would love to hear from you.
