Volunteers in Adult Social Care

Volunteering in our centres

How can you become a volunteer?

Would you like to make a difference in your community? Volunteering at one of our centres is a rewarding way to help others, while gaining valuable experience.

To find out more and to apply, please email: ASCRecruitment@gloucestershire.gov.uk 

Who can volunteer and what skills and experience do you need?

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and represent the diversity of people who live in Gloucestershire.

• Do you enjoy helping others?
• Are you good at mixing with people?
• Can you commit to helping out on a regular basis?

If you can answer yes to these, we'd love to hear from you!

How old do you have to be to volunteer?

The minimum age is 16 - there is no upper age limit. You will need the consent of your parent or guardian if you are under 18.

What do volunteers do/help with?

Volunteers provide all kinds of practical help such as:

• chatting and listening to people and generally helping them to feel comfortable and at ease
• sharing skills and interests - for example, arts and crafts, music and singing, computing or other skills
• encouraging and supporting people to join activities, both at our centres and when we go out
• loading and unloading dishwashers or helping with washing up
• serving food
• creating beautiful gardens for everyone to enjoy
• keeping centre vehicles clean for the people who use our services.

Can you apply if you're not a British Citizen?

Yes, you can apply if you have a visa with the right to work in the UK.

Do you offer work experience?

Volunteers do not carry out (or shadow) statutory work or do work experience.

What are the benefits of volunteering?

Volunteers help to make a compassionate and caring experience for those using our centres.

There are benefits for volunteers too, such as:

• making a real difference to someone’s life - sometimes just the smallest act of kindness makes a big difference to someone’s day
• putting your skills to good use
• meeting new people
• improving your confidence
• getting a taste of what it is like to work in the social care sector
• adding to your CV
• a positive effect on your wellbeing and mental health.

Will you need to have an interview?

We need to be sure that the people we work with are safe from harm, so we will ask you to:

• have an informal interview with one of our managers
• nominate two referees that we can contact
• have a DBS check. A criminal conviction does not necessarily mean that you can’t volunteer with us but we will want to make sure that there is no risk to anyone using our services.

More information and how to apply

If you would like to apply, your first step is to complete the volunteer application form and email it to: ASCRecruitment@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Our centres where you can volunteer

Stroud

• The Beeches - Learning Disabilities Day Centre | Whitehouse Park, Cainscross, Stroud GL5 4LD
• Longhouse - Learning Disabilities Respite Unit | Whitehouse Park, Cainscross, Stroud GL5 4LD

Gloucester

• Westbrook - Learning Disabilities Day Centre | Archdeacon Street, Gloucester GL1 2QX
• Cathedral View - Learning Disabilities Respite Unit | Archdeacon Street, Gloucester GL1 2QX
• Great Western Court - Residential Bed-based Reablement Unit | 33a Millbrook Street, Gloucester GL1 4BP

Cheltenham

• The Vicarage - Learning Disabilities Respite Unit | 59 Andover Road, Cheltenham GL50 2TS
• Oakley - Learning Disabilities Day Centre |  Isbourne Road, Cheltenham GL52 5QG
• The Prestbury Centre - Physical Disabilities / Older People’s Day Centre | Isbourne Road, Cheltenham GL52 5QG

Cinderford

• Royal Forest Centre - Learning Disabilities Day Centre | Dockham Road, Cinderford GL14 2DB
• Foxes Bridge - Physical Disabilities / Older People’s Day Centre | Valley Road, Cinderford GL14 2LJ

Tewkesbury 

• Tewkesbury Day Centre - Dementia Day Centre| Station Road, Tewkesbury GL20 5DR