Ipswich & District Kidney Association

Volunteering at Suffolk Family Carers

 

Do you have time on your hands to spare? Or can you make time? Are you a good listener?  Do you care about others and like to help people? Or maybe you just want to be part of a team, utilising your skills, whatever they might be?

 

If so, Suffolk Family Carers, a local charity based in Claydon, is looking for volunteers to help in one of our many volunteer roles.  Whether you want to do a bit of admin in our offices here to keep up with your skills, or learn new skills, or to work directly with Family Carers, offering a friendly ear and emotional support, we will have the role for you. 

So who exactly are Suffolk Family Carers?

Suffolk Family Carers is a registered Charity in touch with thousands of Family Carers in Suffolk. For a quarter of a century, we have been providing a range of services to Family Carers as well as raising awareness of Family Carer issues with our partners in health and social care. We ultimately seek to minimise the hardships, difficulties and other challenges Family Carers face, to raise awareness of Family Carers and ensure their voices are heard throughout Suffolk. From a shoulder to cry on to providing information and guidance, we are here to help.

And Family Carers?

A Family Carer is someone of any age whose life is restricted because they are looking after another person who cannot manage without help because of illness, age related frailty, mental health need, substance misuse or disability. Family Carers are not paid and do not always live with the person they care for. They may be caring for a friend, neighbour or relative.

 

 

Why not come and volunteer?

 

The power of volunteering should not be underestimated.  Not only for the people you are helping, but for you, yourself, as a volunteer.  It can offer new challenges, improve your sense of wellbeing, introduce you to new friends, help you to feel you are doing something worthwhile, and give you a real sense of achievement.  It can also help you keep up with any skills you have, and help you build new skills.  It can help you build your confidence before returning to work, or help you keep in touch with the work place after retirement.  Whatever your situation, whether you’re retired, working full or part-time or not at all, in between jobs, at college, volunteering can help you in some way. We welcome volunteers from diverse communities and diverse backgrounds.  Maybe you were a Family Carer yourself, and want to give something back? You might even still be a Family Carer, and would like to use volunteering as respite from your caring role.  If you have additional needs, have a disability, or have very low self- confidence, we are definitely the organisation to volunteer with. We really do look after our volunteers, and are delighted to give extra support to volunteers who need it.  Plus, you will also have lots of fun whilst helping Suffolk Family Carers.

You can volunteer as much or as little time as your lifestyle allows. From an 'ad hoc' basis to several hours a week, every contribution will make a difference, and we are grateful for whatever you can give. 

 

 

How easy is it?

 

Our recruitment process is very straight forward.  We ask you to complete an application form, and we’ll invite you for an informal interview.  Once we’ve found the right role for you, you’ll have an induction to ensure you get quickly settled in, and are fully ready for your chosen role.  The team here are all really supportive, so you’ll never be stuck on your own with an unanswered question.  We really care about our volunteers. 

And of course, we provide out of pocket expenses, training and support.

There are a number of ways you can volunteer with us.  You might want to become a telephone befriender, offering emotional and friendly support on the telephone to a Family Carer on a regular basis.  You can even do this from the comfort of your own armchair.  We are also always looking for help with fundraising activities, as well as helpers for our Family Carer groups across the county. We are also always looking for ad hoc help with various activities that pop up week by week, or maybe you’d like to work in one of our offices, offering support to one of our busy teams. If you have a particular skill or area of expertise, please do let us know, and we’ll always aim to find a way that we utilise this. And don’t worry, whatever your role, we will give you full training.

 

 

What do our volunteers say about volunteering at Suffolk Family Carers?

 

“I feel extremely well supported. The team provides support in a professional yet very friendly manner.”

 

 “It is good to feel that you are helping others in difficult circumstances. I also enjoy the camaraderie when meeting with other volunteers.”

 

“I enjoy that I am able to give my time to such a worthy cause and hopefully make a difference.”

 

“Great team to work with and fun!”\

 

“I feel valued by staff and visitors.”

 

“The support given has been wonderful. I feel time is also made to check my own wellbeing which reinforces the caring ethos of the team.”

 

You can find out more by visiting our website, www.suffolkfamilycarers.org, where you can download a copy of our Volunteer application pack, or you can either give us a call on 01473 835450 or email us at volunteer@suffolkfamilycarers.org.  We look forward to hearing from you!