Volunteer Telford

Our tea party hosts are a vital part of the Re-engage team. Tea parties provide a lifeline of friendship for our older people, and the regular, warm, friendly chats and companionship provide a vital link with the outside world from which they have become isolated. 

Re-engage needs enthusiastic volunteers to work as tea party hosts.

This is a flexible, voluntary role that can easily be fitted in around your own lifestyle and availability. As a volunteer host you will run a local Re-engage tea party one to two times a year.

You will host a group made up of volunteer drivers, the group coordinator and older guests in either your home or a community venue. The tea parties will last around two hours and will usually take place on a Sunday afternoon.

Telford & Wrekin Council is committed to ensuring that its Armed Forces Outreach Service promotes awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant whilst also engaging with members of the public to better understand the needs of our Armed Forces community. 

This Volunteer Project will enable us to better connect Serving personnel, veterans and family members with the appropriate services for their individual needs, to show them how to access these services, where to find them and to provide accurate contact information. 

Our volunteers will also provide a listening ear to assist with removing obstacles and barriers to accessing relevant services and will provide enduring support until issues are resolved.

What you will be doing

Your focus will be to help raise awareness of the Telford & Wrekin Armed Forces Outreach service by meeting and greeting our Armed Forces Community.

Opportunities include delivering local community Armed Forces Outreach events in venues across the borough including residential homes, local community centres and Live Well events etc.,

Providing information, advice, and support as well as signposting to relevant agencies including our Armed Forces Partnership Officer.

Keep up to date with training and latest developments so that you are best able to support our Armed Forces community.

Help set up and clear down events.

Impart information that can help and support our Armed Forces community.

Act in line with Telford and Wrekin Council policies, including data protection, confidentiality, safeguarding, health and safety and, equality and diversity.

Time commitment:

Veterans’ events can take place at any time during the working month. We would consult with our volunteers in advance to provide them with details of upcoming events, to see if they are available to offer their support with them.

We appreciate that volunteers give valuable time and are happy to fit with available times and days, although due to the nature of the service we provide we would appreciate a regular commitment and reasonable notice when unable to attend. Up to 2-4 hours a week.

Location:

Community spaces within the Telford area. However, consideration will be given to reduce travelling, and to any preferred location.

We will reimburse travel expenses including parking.

Training:

Online mandatory training including:

Armed Forces Covenant Training for Front Line volunteers.

The volunteer will report to and be supported by the Armed Forces Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Chatterbox is our award-winning, flagship befriending service designed to support those who find themselves isolated, vulnerable, and/or alone in later life.

Volunteers with our Chatterbox programme are matched with a client, most of whom are socially isolated and/or lonely, with whom they organise a weekly phone call at a mutually convenient time. 

As well as offering a listening ear and companionship, our befrienders are able to sign post individuals to other agencies who may be able to offer further support as and when appropriate. We give our befrienders comprehensive training and support throughout their time with Omega.

All volunteering time with Chatterbox is completed from the comfort of your own home.

Being a sense shop volunteer is a great way meet people, boost confidence and gain valuable retail experience.