Jan Prisic has been volunteering with the former Broomhouse Elderly Befriending Service, now part of Vintage Vibes, since 2014. She tells us why she got involved and how she makes a difference.
Get in touch: hello@vintagevibes.org.uk
We’re visiting different areas of the city each month to spread the word about Vintage Vibes.
Take a look at our News section to see if we are coming to your area soon.
A: Firstly, have a think about what you can offer: how much time can you realistically give up each week? Would you like to visit on a one-to-one basis, or take someone out and about? Could you lead a friendship group, or even start up an activity group that you think would appeal to those over 60?
A: We’re looking for anyone between 17 and, well . . . the sky’s the limit!
A: The key aim of Vintage Vibes is to offer long-lasting friendships and create sustainable networks for people who are isolated and/or lonely. So we’re asking our volunteers to commit to a minimum of six months, and ask that they be able to take part at least once a week for an hour or two.
A: We’ll ask you about your interests and general likes, and how you think you might be able to help. Do you have a dog, for example, who could come with you on visits? Or perhaps you’re sporty and could help someone keep active, or reminisce about sport with them. Whatever you have to offer, we want to help match you with someone with shared interests and experiences.
A: We will do a brief assessment at your initial meeting, followed by a formal interview and a request for references. Vintage Vibes will apply for all successful candidates to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. This is a lifelong membership scheme and is free to join if you volunteer through us. If you are an existing member of PVG, we will carry out routine checks and assessments.
A: A PVG application can take up to eight weeks to be processed and we can’t match you until it has been approved. In the meantime, however, we’ll put on training and the chance to get together and meet other volunteers who have signed up with Vintage Vibes.
A: Absolutely! Volunteers are the cornerstone of Vintage Vibes, so we’re committed to ensuring you’re valued and supported. The initial training is three sessions over a few weeks with our service co-ordinators Heather and Emily. They cover topics such as expectations, confidentiality, attitudes, values and boundaries, as well as some general dementia awareness raising. Once you’re up and running as a volunteer, there will be ongoing reviews, meetings and the chance to get together with other volunteers for further training and professional development.
A: There is no charge for joining Vintage Vibes as a volunteer. We are also happy to reimburse you for reasonable expenses incurred during volunteering, for example, attending an event or travel costs.
We’re looking for volunteers from a wide variety of backgrounds, circumstances and age groups. We welcome everyone who wants to help our Vibes VIPs, and are particularly interested in the following:
While no specific skills or experience are required to volunteer with Vintage Vibes, there are a number of key qualities we think are important:
We also think it’s important that our volunteers:
Vintage Vibes is particularly interested in being able to offer friendship and support to people who are in minority groups, have mental health issues or suffer from dementia. If these are areas you have experience in, or are interested in helping, we would love to be able to match you up.
Get in touch: hello@vintagevibes.org.uk