Role criteria

Essential - You must:

• Be able to stay for the Christmas day meal and eat with project members and other volunteers.

• Be over 18

• Be a car driver with a clean driving licence

• Have access to an insured car on Christmas day (25th December)

• Be able to support the project members in and out of the vehicle and to and from the house/venue (no manual handling)

• Be able to drive  within the Bristol, South Glos or N Somerset area

• Be able to give two suitable references for a reference check

• Be able to complete an original photo ID check (ideally driving license).

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Please note, it would be desirable (but not essential) for you to have:

• A 5-door car

• The ability to take more than one project member

• Space to take a mobility aid such as a walker if needed.

 

Please note, this role will need you to:

• Be friendly and approachable – ensuring project members and other volunteers feel comfortable throughout the day

• Be a good listener and communicator – to effectively liaise with and support our project members, volunteers, and the venue

• Have an understanding of loneliness and the effect this can have on someone (i.e. loss of confidence in new social situations)

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Commitment required

October/ November

• Attend an online training session to give you information on your role. This will also give you an opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

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Late November/early December

• Receive confirmation on which project members and venue you have been matched with, as well as contact details of the Venue Lead Volunteer.

• Call project members to introduce yourself so that they feel comfortable about who they will be with on Christmas Day.

• Let us know any dietary requirements  Please note, we kindly ask volunteers to contribute towards the cost of the meal. We suggest a donation of £40 but anything helps.

 

December

• Call project members to check in with them in mid December, confirm timings,  report any changes in health / mobility or concerns to us

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Christmas Eve

• Call allocated project members to remind them about the event and the transport arrangements and timings.

 

Christmas Day Event

• Phone in the morning to check all is ok & they will be ready for pick up

• Collect project member(s) at approximately 11:00/11:30 from their home (depending on location/time required to support project members).

• Support project member(s) to your car – ensuring they have locked up the house; have their keys/mobility aid and any medications required.

• Drive project member(s) to the venue and support them from the car into the venue.

• Enjoy a meal together, Help to ensure everyone is included. Assist if project member(s) need to get up to use facilities.

• At approximately 14:00/14:30 take your project member(s) home, and settle them in.

• Once you have taken your project member(s) home, confirm this with the Event Coordinator or Venue Volunteer, by text message.

• Your job is now complete! You can enjoy the remainder of your day happy in the knowledge that you have enabled people experiencing loneliness to have companionship and fun on Christmas Day.

 

Between Christmas and New Year

• Call project member(s) to check in and wish them a Happy New Year.​

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What we offer

 

• You will make a difference to the lives of people experiencing loneliness on Christmas Day  in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset

• You will be part of a Christmas meal which is often a catalyst for change for many of our members to reconnect with their communities

• You will be a valued part of our Marmalade family.