Health And Social Care

Age Concern- Age Concern is a day centre for the elderly which offers activities, meals, friendship and support. They would like volunteers to help run a number of IT, fitness and arts and crafts sessions, to help with general activities and to socialise with the clients. There are 4 sites around Kent, each with a variety of different roles available. For a complete summary of each area, please use the links below. Contact details and application forms are available from the Student Activities Centre, above Essentials.

Branching Out - Branching Out is an all accessible walking group to allow adults with learning or physical disabilities, or who, for whatever reason, cannot easily access the great outdoors the ability to come closer to nature. They are looking to attract volunteers to the following volunteer roles which are available in term time and during the summer vacation. They need volunteers in the following areas:

Volunteer Travel Buddy Type 1. Looking for volunteers to travel on public transport with people with mobility or confidence issues to and from walks. Walks currently run twice a month for half a day.

Volunteer Travel Buddy Type 2; Looking for volunteers to provide car share with members to the walks. Walks currently run twice a month for half a day.

Walk Leaders to help to run the walks. Must be able to drive to walk locations as some fairly remote. Walks currently run twice a month for half a day.

Walk Co-ordinators to help to organise walks and promote the service, a more advanced commitment with a greater degree of responsibility than the Walk Leaders.

Administrators - a great opportunity for people to volunteer from the comfort of their own home revamping their website and redoing their marketing and publicity, as well as assist with mailouts and related admin tasks for the group. Must be computer literate, especially Word, Excel and Access.

Volunteers are especially needed during the summer and spring months. Full training is provided, and CRB checks will need to be undertaken for the Travel Buddies and Walk Leader roles. Info on Branching Out can be found here:

http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/explore-kent/brancing-out-walking-group

Canterbury Open Centre - Canterbury Open Centre is a homeless project that runs a shelter and re-homing centre in town. They need volunteers in a number of areas including working in the kitchens to prepare food and hot drinks, running training sessions and social events, helping sort out laundry and donations, working in marketing and publicity and general client support.

Headway House - Headway House works with people suffering from the effects of brain damage. They need volunteers to help with the running of various activities. Application Forms are available from the Student Activities Centre, above Essentials.

St Martins Psychiatric Hosptial - Numerous roles available, see below for Role Descriptions. Application Forms are available from the Student Activities Centre, above Essentials.

Shop Volunteer
Ward Activities Volunteers
'R' Place Volunteer - especially needed on Friday afternoons!
Library Volunteer
Chaplaincy Volunteer
Mentors for Young People with Mental Health Needs

Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre- The MS Therapy centre is an organisation which offers treatment, support and friendship for MS sufferers. The centre (based in Canterbury)would like volunteers to socialise with clients and to help with day-to-day running of the centre. They are open from 9.30 - 3pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. A car would be needed ideally as it is located in a hard to reach area with no direct transport links. Contact Details are available from the Student Activities Centre, above Essentials.

Pilgrims Hospice - The Pilgrims Hospice is a charity that provides help to people who are terminally ill, as well as their friends and family. Volunteersa re needed to help in the reception areas, on the wards and in the Day Centre. Application Forms are available from the Student Activities Centre, above Essentials.

Relate - East Kent Marriage Guidance. Volunteers are needed to help on reception. Contact Details are available from the Student Activities Centre, above Essentials.

Samaritans- The Samaritans are a national listening service for people in crisis or who just need someone to talk to. Volunteers are needed in the local branch in many roles, including telephone help-line operators (full training and support provided), fundraisers, publicity and marketing roles. Application Forms are available from the Student Activities Centre, above Essentials.

Scrine Foundation - The Scrine Foundation is a charty that provides homeless people with opportunities to take part in activities. Volunteers are needed to help with the collection boxes, to act as a Big Issue Vendor Support, to help in the Book Palace, and there are other opportunities as and when need arises. Application Forms are available from the Student Activities Centre, above Essentials.

Swalecliffe Day Opportunities Centre - Swalecliffe Day Opportunities Centre provides opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to get involved with gardening, arts and crafts, educational and culinary activities, as well as organising day trips and giving the clients the independence to perform day to day tasks, such as going to the supermarket or the post office. Volunteers are needed to help run the activities, help with the day trips or trips to the shops as well as with the general administration of the Centre. Due to the location of the Centre, own transport or a willingness to use the bus is necessary.