Volunteering: The Association of Carers provides free volunteer led support to unpaid carers in East Sussex.
The Association of Carers have approximately 300 unpaid carers waiting for a volunteer to give them a much-needed break. Their current volunteers offer an invaluable service to the carers they are supporting, the problem is they need more people to become volunteers.
We spoke to the charity to find out what it does and how people across East Sussex could get involved.
What does the Association of Carers do?
Based in Hastings, the charity works across East Sussex, matching volunteers with unpaid carers with services that reduce isolation and encourage independence. Their care service is called Befriending with Respite and the main aim is to give a carer a regular break from their caring role.
By having a regular, set time, carers are able to look forward to their break and plan what to do with the time. The service also benefits the person that is being looked after, providing them the opportunity to spend time with a volunteer who has similar interests and experiences, therefore reducing isolation.
The charity takes the time to carefully match volunteers with families who might share similar interests or who may have some shared experiences, so that the arrangement is fulfilling for both parties. Volunteers are matched with a family in their local community so that so that the volunteer can easily reach the people they are helping.
The charity is specifically looking for volunteers to offer the Befriending with Respite service.
The volunteers are not expected to provide any personal care – so no washing, giving medication etc – but are there to sit with the person being cared for, maybe reading, just chatting, or watching TV. This enables their carer to take some time out for themselves, maybe do some shopping, meet friends for coffee or even just go to bed.
Who can be a volunteer?
Anyone over 18 can volunteer (for insurance purposes they have to be over 18) and there is no upper age limit. It might be someone looking for experience, who hopes to get a job in a caring profession, or someone who finds they have a bit of spare time and wants to do something to help others.
Volunteers don’t need any experience at all. All volunteers will be taken through induction training and there are other training courses which will be offered such as first aid, active listening and safeguarding.
You just need to be interested in helping others and able to spare the time each week. You don’t need your own transport. Although it is an unpaid role all travel expenses are met by the charity and there are volunteer drivers who can transport volunteers to the house of those they’re helping if needed.
Volunteers will see the same people each week, some have been providing respite care for a number of years for the same people, so they build up really close friendships.
The respite allows carers a bit of time for themselves, to relax or to do essential things like attend appointments, which they might not be able to commit to otherwise.
How do people get involved?
Anyone expressing an interest in volunteering will first of all speak to a volunteer co-ordinator who will find out a bit more about them, their hobbies and interests for example, so that they can match them with suitable people for befriending.
Nobody will be thrown in at the deep end – as well as the training a services co-ordinator will accompany volunteers on their first visit, and there will be ongoing support and help.
Find out more
To find out more about the Association of Carers or about volunteering for them please visit the website; call 01424 722309 or email: