Introduction: Do you have a knack for making conversation? We’re looking for a volunteer who can keep a group telephone conversation rolling, enabling all involved to have an enjoyable experience. In this role, you’ll support everyone in the group to contribute to and benefit from the call, administrate the phone group technology so that calls run on time and everyone connects with the group, and keep the environment safe. The group calls are an important way for older people to participate in a group environment who are isolated and would otherwise not have this opportunity.

About Age UK Bristol: At Age UK Bristol we help make sure that everyone in Bristol can love later life. We do this by supporting and empowering older people, helping other organisations to work together, and championing the interests of older people in the city.

Our organisational objectives are to:

• Provide top-quality services and support to all older people in Bristol.
• Lead and enable collaboration between other organisations working with older people in Bristol
• Influence public spending and policies in a way that benefits older people in the city
• Promote positive attitudes to ageing in Bristol

We do this by:

• Providing quality information
• Delivering quality services
• Involving older people
• Giving older people a voice
• Working in partnership
• Maintaining an effective organisation

Volunteers are important and valued members of the team at Age UK Bristol. We will do our best to make your volunteer experience enjoyable and rewarding.

About the Telephone Groups Facilitator role:  

Age UK Bristol hosts conversation groups over the telephone. The role of a Telephone Group Facilitator is:

• To support everyone to contribute and benefit from the call,
• To administrate the technology so that calls run on time and everyone connects with the group
• To encourage an enjoyable experience
• To keep the environment safe

This is a home-based role and each volunteer will need:

• Reliable internet connection
• A computer or tablet 

The qualities and skills required for this role are:

• Confidence using new software – though the platform we use is quite straightforward and easy to learn
• Reliability and punctuality - calls need to run to time
• Good verbal communication skills to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible and encourage shyer callers
• Ability to set a welcoming atmosphere on the calls
• Ability to be assertive and intervene if necessary, for instance manage group members who may dominate the conversation
• Ability to raise concerns re risk or safeguarding issues
• Ability to access support from the Age UK Bristol team if required, attend essential training and volunteer support sessions.

Training

We offer induction, training and other relevant training opportunities to enable you to fulfil this volunteer role.

Hours

We are currently asking for a minimum of two hours per week

Location

This role is based in the home of the volunteer with training and support provided remotely.

Expenses

We reimburse all reasonable expenses associated with the role, for instance telephone calls.

Further Information

For further information please contact:

Jay Wilkinson | Volunteer Coordinator

Email: jaywilkinson@ageukbristol.org.uk

Phone: 0117 440 4303