CareLink Volunteer – Telephone & Face‑to‑Face Support
People’s horizons can shrink in later life due to health issues, bereavement, reduced confidence, or retirement. We believe that later life should not be a lonely life.
Our CareLink service supports older people to remain healthy, independent, and connected, through regular contact, practical support, and encouragement to engage with their community.
We are recruiting volunteers to support older people through telephone befriending and face‑to‑face support.
Telephone Befriending Support
CareLink volunteers provide regular telephone calls to build trusted, supportive relationships.
This includes:
Making regular befriending calls on a weekly routine
Being a point of contact when someone is unsure where to turn for help
Providing practical support and referring to other services when needed
Checking wellbeing, including medication reminders, appointments, staying warm, and eating and drinking regularly
Helping identify local social activities and offering initial encouragement to attend
Face‑to‑Face Support Volunteer
Visit an older person in their home for a cuppa and a chat
Accompany an older person to activities such as Chatty Café groups or social trips
This role focuses on empowering independence and may be time‑limited, for example:
Supporting attendance at a one‑off appointment (dentist or optician)
Escorting someone to a new activity for the first time until they feel confident to attend independently
Time Commitment
Training: 2–3 hours (in one session or split sessions, in person or via Zoom)
Volunteering: Approximately 2 hours per week
Minimum commitment: 6 months
Training and Checks
Full training and ongoing support provided
Mandatory training includes boundaries, confidentiality, and safeguarding
Enhanced DBS check required (arranged and funded by us)
Skills and Experience Desired
Lived experience of transitional life events (e.g. retirement, divorce)
Awareness of how life changes can affect physical and mental wellbeing
Willingness to learn about local services and how to support people to access them
Skills:
Good listening and communication skills
Empathy and interest in supporting older people
Ability to provide non‑judgemental encouragement
Respect for confidentiality, even in difficult situations
Honest, reliable, flexible, and committed
Benefits to You
Volunteers tell us they benefit through:
Learning new skills and enhancing their CV
Increased confidence and self‑esteem
Making new friends and being part of a supportive team
A sense of wellbeing from giving back to the community
Knowing they are making a real difference in someone’s life
Support and Expenses
Ongoing support from a dedicated member of staff
Regular check‑ins to support your development
Reimbursement of reasonable expenses, including travel and activity costs