Are you interested in volunteering? Do you enjoy meeting new people, chatting on the phone, and being a listening ear? We may have just the role for you!

Here at Carers Count, we’re looking for volunteers who’d like to be ‘telephone companions’ for carers in Kirklees. By supporting carers over the phone, you can help the service provide the best support to as many carers as we can, and make a huge difference in your local community.

What does this role involve?

As a Telephone Companion Volunteer, you will:

• Make phone calls to carers who are caring for someone with mental ill-health, early onset dementia and/or substance dependency.
• Be a listening ear for carers on the phone, provide emotional support and help reduce loneliness and isolation.
• Keep accurate records of calls made.
• Encourage carers to attend peer support groups.
• Signpost carers to appropriate local or national services.
• Follow mandatory training to be aware of safeguarding procedures and raise any concerns as needed.

Where and when?

This role is based at our office: 4th Floor, Empire House, Dewsbury, WF12 8DJ. You would be volunteering every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month between the hours of 10am and 1pm.

Do I need any skills or experience?

Previous experience is not essential as training will be given. However, we are looking for someone with:

• The ability to chat to people easily
• Awareness of and respect for confidentiality
• Awareness of safeguarding
• Listening skills, patience and honesty
• An awareness of carers’ issues
• A non-judgmental, reliable, and punctual attitude

This role would be a time commitment of around three to four hours per month.

Volunteer expenses will be authorised on a Volunteer Expenses form with valid receipts or tickets attached. Details of this and other information relevant to volunteering is contained in the Cloverleaf/Carers Count Volunteer handbook.

Through volunteering with Carers Count, you will gain experience and training, helping you build valuable new skills and boosting your confidence.

An application form with references and DBS will be required.

If you’re interested, please get in touch by emailing: rebecca.haworth@carerscount.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you!