Helping St Albans residents with lifts, shopping, odd jobs and befriending
Volunteer
​
Volunteering is incredibly rewarding and makes a significant difference to the people you support.
​
Even the little things like giving a lift, sharing a cup of tea, helping with shopping or chatting can raise people's spirits immeasurably.
​
We are very flexible and you do not have to commit to a fixed day or time to volunteer.
"I was happy to help, as I could see that such a small thing made such a big difference."
To volunteer, complete our online application form or call 01727 830713 to find out more
Driver
​
Giving someone a lift in your own car, such as to a medical appointment or to visit family and friends.
​
Befriender
​
Chatting with someone who could benefit from the joy of a weekly conversation.
​
Shopper
​
Helping someone with their regular shopping, or visiting the supermarket on their behalf.
​
Practical help
​
Carrying out small tasks in the house or garden, such as putting up a shelf or repotting plants.
​
Helpline
​
Managing our helpline from your own home, for one day each month, on a day convenient to you.
​
Supporting our volunteers
We are fully committed to ensuring the wellbeing of our volunteers as well as everyone we help.
Training and support
​
From day one, you will be supported by experienced volunteers. You will be provided with a Volunteer Information Pack and appropriate training.
Communications
​
Volunteers receive regular newsletters and are invited to social events to meet other volunteers and share stories and experiences.
Requirements
​
All of our volunteer roles require a DBS check which we arrange for you.
​
Wellbeing
​
The wellbeing and health & safety of our volunteers is a top priority and we have policies in place to ensure this.
Expenses
​
You can claim reimbursement for mileage
(45p per mile) and phone calls (15p per call), incurred whilst volunteering.
18+
​
All volunteers for St Albans Good Neighbours must be over the age of eighteen.
Helpline
Our Helpline volunteers are also referred to as Duty Officers. You are at the heart of organising the services we provide and are the friendly voice that people first hear when they contact the Scheme.
​
You receive calls from people about their needs and then arrange with our volunteers for them to be helped. This work is facilitated by our new (launched in 2021) computer system.
Our Helpline is open from 9am to 1pm and calls are taken in your own home.
You will appreciate the flexibility of our approach; we plan the Helpline rota to suit your availability.
​
If you are away for a while, don’t worry, we won’t put you in the rota until you are back!
If you have a need to swap your duty day, we have a process to make that happen too.
The key requirements are a friendly telephone manner, good organisational skills, basic level computer skills, and a desire to help others. No specific experience is necessary, and you will be trained (in a specially designed two-hour session) before you start. You are required to have an enhanced DBS certificate, which we will arrange for you.
Our internal intranet has all the resources you will need, and you can always pick up the phone to contact our Helpline coordinator or fellow volunteers who will help you.