Make a difference to your local area and volunteer for Carer Support Wiltshire.
Our volunteers are the cornerstone of our organisation. They help run cafes, staff our Here to Talk phone lines and offer their committed support and expertise in every way they can, any time they can. But volunteering isn’t just about us and the work we do to help unpaid carers, volunteering can have an extraordinary effect on our own lives.
On the surface volunteering is a fantastic way to meet new people and make new connections. Many of our passionate volunteers have made life-long friends and have discovered a whole new network of support for themselves while volunteering. On a larger scale a volunteering role can provide us with a sense of purpose; doing something meaningful within our local community can help build self-esteem, create a sense of happiness, and help push us out of our comfort zone. At Carer Support Wiltshire we strive to create a safe place for volunteers to enable our unpaid carers to feel acknowledged and understood, while feeling seen and appreciated themselves.
Volunteering may be something you only do for part of your life, but we can guarantee our charity and the people we support will never be the same once you’ve started your journey with us.
Opportunities
Join us as a Trustee
Are you passionate about supporting unpaid carers in Wiltshire and Dorset? We’re on the lookout for enthusiastic trustees to help shape the future of our charity! As a trustee, you’ll steer our strategic direction, work closely with our senior leadership team, and ensure we’re making a real difference. We’d especially love to hear from you if you have expertise in health and social care, income generation, marketing and communications, and volunteer management – though this isn’t an exhaustive list!
Some of the key responsibilities of a Trustee include:
– Set and monitor our goals and strategic plans
– Ensure we comply with all legal and regulatory standards
– Safeguard the charity’s finances and prevent fraud
– Attend approximately 4 board meetings a year
If you’re passionate and ready to contribute, we want to hear from you!
Find out more about the role and how to apply here.
When applying please fill out our Equality and Diversity Monitoring form here
Keeping in Touch Telephone Support
We are currently looking to recruit a Keeping in Touch telephone support volunteer to provide a light touch support service for carers following their registration with Carer Support Dorset with the aim to keep up to date with the cares current needs, and intervene where appropriate to avoid crisis situations through referral to the carer case workers at Carer Support Dorset. Induction training will be provided to meet the needs of the role, as well as ongoing support and supervision, and additional training as necessary. Out of pocket expenses will be paid.
Find out more about the role here.
Download the application form here
Here to Talk, a friendly voice at the end of the phone.
We are currently looking to recruit new Here to Talk telephone befrienders, who are able to commit to a minimum of half an hour every 2 weeks. The aim of our Here to Talk service is to provide low level emotional support to unpaid carers across Wiltshire. You will be a friendly voice at the end of the phone, a listening ear to hear carers’ concerns, and someone who will provide reassurance during challenging times.
Successful applicants will have excellent listening skills and be empathetic and non judgemental. Training is provided.
View the role description for Here to Talk volunteer befriender
Download the application form here
Bereavement Help Point Facilitator – Various locations
We are looking for a facilitator for our Bereavement Help Point in Devizes. You would need to be able to commit to a minimum of two hours every fortnight to help run a fortnightly bereavement group, which supports unpaid carers who are recently bereaved. You will welcome, support and listen to people who attend. The ideal person for this role will have an understanding of grief and be compassionate and empathetic. Training will be provided.
View the role description for Bereavement Help Point Facilitator
Download the application form here
Carer Cafe Facilitator – Various locations
We are currently on the look out for volunteers to run our carer cafes at several locations around the county. Potential volunteers will need to be able to commit to a minimum of 2 hours per month, as well as initial online and face to face training sessions. The aim of this role is to create a safe and supportive group environment for unpaid carers at a local venue, providing them with a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities. Training will be provided.
View the role description for Carer Cafe Facilitator
DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM HERE
Events Volunteer – Various locations
We are looking for a volunteer to help with various events booked throughout the year, mostly over the summer months. Events take place any day of the week, including weekends, ideally a volunteer to commit to 2 hours or more at the event. This role will involve greeting people and talking about CSW activities, referring them to our leaflets and flyers, collecting donations, assisting in other stall activities and assisting set up and clear down of the stall if applicable.
View the role description for Events Volunteer
DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM HERE
Why volunteer?
Scott is 17 years old and has embraced the experience to help others and give experience towards his CV and university application.
“Volunteering with CSW is a very rewarding and motivating experience. Not only does it develop your social skills, it also provides the ability to help people that really deserve it.
I was really impressed by the training that was provided and believe this will translate over to my later life. Also, the training helped increase my confidence with my ability to help.
The befriending service that CSW provide is extremely rewarding to both parties and also provides a personal touch. I believe it’s especially important to carers in this current climate as loneliness is prominent during lockdowns.”
Andrea began her volunteer role with CSW in April 2020 in response to supporting carers through the pandemic.
“I had retired in 2019 to care for my elderly parents but sadly they had both passed away later that year and so it felt a good time to work as a volunteer with a charity I felt passionate about.
I could use my own experience as a carer as well as some insight from my previous job working as a nurse. Befriending carers plus making wellbeing calls is very rewarding, and the common response is of gratitude that someone was thinking of them, even if they were coping is always nice to hear.
Volunteering is a wonderful way to explore possible new job opportunities, meet new people (unfortunately only virtually at the moment) and keep that self-motivation going to do something constructive when you are retired, pandemic or not!”
For more information on our volunteering roles email volunteer@carersupportwiltshire.co.uk or phone 01380 908158.
