Volunteering Opportunities
At Approach we are always looking for reliable volunteers to help us. We have four different opportunities for volunteers:
Admin Office Volunteer - Sorry, all our current opportunities are filled
Volunteer Car Drivers - Positions available
Volunteer Day Care Assistants - Positions available
Volunteer Minibus drivers - Position available
Please scroll down for more information on opportunities and if you are interested please call Warren on 01782 214999 for an informal chat.
The Organisation
Approach aims to enhance the quality of life of older people with mental health needs and adults who are socially disadvantaged in North Staffordshire. Our Day Care provision comprises 12 small, localised groups.
1. Administration Office Volunteer
Sorry: No Vacancies at the moment
2. Volunteer Car Drivers
The Opportunity
Join our thriving, friendly, organisation as a volunteer driver for our day-care groups and you will be helping older people with a mental health issue enjoy a perfect day.
Our volunteer car drivers support the groups by collecting members in their own car at the start of the day and returning them home at the end.
We have opportunities for volunteers for one or more days per week at our groups across North Staffordshire.
All volunteers receive a structured induction and all expenses are re-reimbursed.
We welcome male and female volunteers from all varieties of backgrounds, ethnic groups and ages.
Volunteer car drivers can also join the groups during the day as volunteer group assistants (see separate information below)
Our volunteer car drivers support the groups by collecting members in their own car at the start of the day and returning them home at the end.
We have opportunities for volunteers for one or more days per week at our groups across North Staffordshire.
All volunteers receive a structured induction and all expenses are re-reimbursed.
We welcome male and female volunteers from all varieties of backgrounds, ethnic groups and ages.
Volunteer car drivers can also join the groups during the day as volunteer group assistants (see separate information below)
Days/Places you can volunteer
Monday – Shelton
Tuesday – Newcastle/Shelton
Wednesday – Newcastle (Cross Health)/Meir/Shelton
Thursday – Shelton/Newcastle
Friday – Meir/Blurton/Meir Park
Skills/Qualifications
A full clean driving licence and an interest in/experience of working with older people with a mental illness is essential. Reliability and the ability to work as part of a team are important, and volunteers should have a friendly personality.
3. Day-Care Assistant Volunteers
The Opportunity
Join our thriving, friendly, organisation as a volunteer at one of our 12 day-care groups and you will gain valuable experience of working in social care, while helping older people enjoy a perfect day.
Supporting older people with dementia and/or other mental health issues you will support the running of the day-care group, getting to know individuals and helping to organise the activities and refreshments, including occasional day trips.
As a volunteer you will be supervised by experienced staff and will have the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge in elderly care, while enjoying the activities and company of the members.
All volunteers receive a structured induction, and free training is available, (including Dementia Awareness).
Volunteers’ expenses are re-reimbursed and a free midday meal is provided.
Supporting older people with dementia and/or other mental health issues you will support the running of the day-care group, getting to know individuals and helping to organise the activities and refreshments, including occasional day trips.
As a volunteer you will be supervised by experienced staff and will have the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge in elderly care, while enjoying the activities and company of the members.
All volunteers receive a structured induction, and free training is available, (including Dementia Awareness).
Volunteers’ expenses are re-reimbursed and a free midday meal is provided.
Some volunteers often progress on to paid work in the care sector and are able to use their experience as an advantage when applying for jobs. However other volunteers stay with us for years and we welcome male and female volunteers from all varieties of backgrounds, ethnic groups and ages.
Current Volunteer vacancies exist at the following locations
Tuesday – Newcastle/Shelton
Wednesday – Newcastle (Cross Health)/Meir
Thursday – Shelton
Friday – Blurton/Meir Park
Skills/Qualifications
No formal qualifications are required but volunteers require an interest in/experience of working with older people with a mental illness. Reliability and the ability to work as part of a team are essential, and a sense of humour and a friendly personality are useful. A clean driving licence and use of a car is often helpful as some volunteers transport members to and from groups once they become confident. However this is not essential or required.
4. Volunteer Minibus Drivers
The Opportunity
Join our thriving, friendly, organisation as a volunteer minibus driver for our day-care groups and you will gain valuable experience of working in social care, while helping older people with a mental health issue enjoy a perfect day.
Volunteer minibus drivers support the groups by collecting members at the start of the day and returning them home at the end, as well as occasionally driving for group outings during the day. We have opportunities for volunteers to work for one or more days per week or for casual hours. Free MIDAS training is provided and all volunteers receive a structured induction. All expenses are re-reimbursed
Some volunteers often progress on to paid work in the care sector and are able to use their experience as an advantage when applying for jobs. However other volunteers stay with us for years and we welcome male and female volunteers from all varieties of backgrounds, ethnic groups and ages.
Volunteer minibus drivers can also join the groups during the day as volunteer group assistants
Minibus drivers are required between 9am and 10am in the morning and 3.00pm and 4pm in the afternoon and drive the minibuses which are collected from our headquarters in Shelton.
We encourage volunteers to start by supporting at a group for a single day and
Currently minibus driver volunteers are needed at the following locations.
Monday – Shelton
Tuesday – Shelton/Newcastle
Wednesday – Newcastle (Cross Health)/Meir/Shelton
Thursday – Shelton/Newcastle
Friday – Meir/Blurton/Meir Park
Skills/Qualifications
Skills/Qualifications
A full clean driving licence obtained before 1997 and an interest in/experience of working with older people with a mental illness is essential. Reliability and the ability to work as part of a team are important, and volunteers should have a friendly personality.
For more information on any of these opportunities please speak to Warren, on 01782 214999