Re-engage
Charity registered in Scotland SC039377
Re-engage exists to support older people who live alone and find it hard to get out in normal times. The Covid-19 crisis is particularly devastating for these people and many are feeling incredibly vulnerable, especially those with few family members or friends to talk to.
In response to the crisis we’ve suspended our regular social gatherings and, with the help of our dedicated volunteers, have set up a UK-wide call companions service. Older people who are feeling alone can receive a regular friendly phone call throughout the crisis and beyond, for as long as they want it.
No one should have to face this crisis alone. We won’t leave anyone behind.
Current opportunities
The call companions idea is very simple; a volunteer call companion calls the same older person between two and four times a month at a mutually agreed time for an informal chat.
As a call companion coordinator, you will be the main point of contact for all of the call companions and older people in your group. This is a challenging, rewarding role which might be a bit busy initially but will take up less of your time once your group is established.
As a call companion, you will make regular telephone calls to a lonely and isolated older person. These calls provide a lifeline of friendship for our older people, and the regular, warm, friendly chats and companionship provide a vital link with the outside world from which they have become isolated. Tasks include committing to calling the older person you have been matched with two to four times per month at an agreed time and following the guidance in our call companion training modules.
As a call companion, you will make regular telephone calls to an older person experiencing loneliness and isolation. These calls provide a lifeline of friendship for our older people, and the regular, warm, friendly chats and companionship provide a vital link with the outside world from which they have become isolated. Over time, you and the older person you have been matched with will get to know each other well and together you will spend many hours full of fun, laughter and stories. You will need two references and to complete an ID check for this role. Tasks include: Calling the older person you have been matched with two to four times per month at an agreed time. Following the guidance in your call companion training modules to ensure that your calls are enjoyable, appropriate and in line with our charitable aims. Keeping in regular contact with your call companion coordinator and letting them know how everything is going. Completing monthly online reports about your call companion calls.
Our tea party hosts are a vital part of the Re-engage team.
Tea parties provide a lifeline of friendship for our older people and the regular, warm, friendly chats and companionship provide a vital link with the outside world from which they have become isolated. Re-engage needs enthusiastic volunteers to work as tea party hosts.
This is a flexible, voluntary role that can easily be fitted in around your own lifestyle and availability. As a volunteer host you will run a local Re-engage tea party once or twice a year. You will host a group of four to 12 people (which includes drivers, the group co-ordinator as well as older guests) in either your home or a community venue. The tea parties will last around two hours and will usually take place on a Sunday afternoon. You must be comfortable socialising with people and providing guests and other volunteers with refreshments.
You will need two references and to complete an ID check for this role.
Tasks include:
*Completing and submitting a host’s home checklist for your own home or signing a declaration if you’re hosting at an external venue before your first tea party and on an annual basis
*Welcoming a group of older guests and volunteer drivers into your home or to the community venue
*Providing and serving refreshments for your group – usually food and drinks for afternoon tea
*Liaising with your group co-ordinator to ensure dietary requirements and the older guests' needs are met prior to the tea party
*Informing the group co-ordinator of any safeguarding concerns or issues you might have
*Following all guidance in your host training modules to ensure that the tea parties are enjoyable, appropriate and in line with our charitable aims