Volunteer roles
Volunteer with The Link and help reduce loneliness in your community. By giving just a little of your time, you can make a lasting difference to the life of an older person. Whether you'd like to visit a Link Friend, help at social events, support fundraising activities or use your skills in another way, there are a variety of rewarding opportunities available. Browse the roles below and find the one that suits you best.
One-to-one Friendship Volunteer
Our volunteers build real, lasting friendships - visiting an older person in Wokingham Borough who's experiencing loneliness and isolation, and bringing warmth, laughter and connection into their week. We carefully match you with someone nearby, through regular visits or phone calls.
It's amazing the difference you can make simply by showing up for someone. You'll soon become the person who makes their week that bit better - and you'll be joining a community of 500+ volunteers doing the same across Wokingham Borough. Many find it's a great way to widen their own social circle too, meet like-minded people, and pick up new skills along the way. No experience needed - we'll give you all the training and support you need.
-
Flexible (average time is 1-2 hours a week or fortnight). We ask you to give one or two hours per week or per fortnight to offer friendship and support. Volunteering with us is all about building friendships, so a commitment of at least 6 months is needed.
-
We will provide Volunteer Induction Training, Safeguarding Training, Dementia Training and guidance on the role.
-
Via our Volunteer Manager Karan Pollard
-
We’re looking for friendly individuals with listening skills and a non-judgemental attitude. Honesty, empathy, reliability and respect for confidentiality are crucial.
Driver Volunteer
Each week we have a variety of activities and events that older people need transport for. We are looking for reliable drivers to pick up our Link Friends and deliver them safely to the activity and drive them home again. This could be adhoc support or a regular commitment depending on your availability. Request a volunteer pack→
-
Variable depending on each volunteer availability and to be determined fortnightly in advance. Drivers required for weekdays and weekends.
-
We will provide Volunteer Induction Training, Dementia Training, Safeguarding Training and guidance on helping Link Friends in and out of a car and folding and storing walking aids safely. You will a full driver’s licence.
-
Via our Volunteer Manager Karan Pollard
-
This role is a great fit for you if you’re reliable, great at time-keeping and a good driver with a clean track record.
Digital Volunteer
From family chats on FaceTime and WhatsApp messaging to online food deliveries and banking, being online is more important than ever. Link Online provides older people with individual coaching and support via our digital volunteers to either learn on a Link tablet or with their own device. This is usually for an agreed time period of 4 to 6 weeks with an individual. Volunteers are fully supported by our Digital Inclusion colleague Stuart. Request a volunteer pack→
-
Flexible (average time is 1-2 hours a week or fortnight). This would be for the duration of the loan of a tablet (4 months) or in the case of the Link Friend’s own device we anticipate 3 or 4 months
-
We will provide Volunteer Induction Training, Dementia Training, Safeguarding Training and guidance on the role. Appropriate IT skills are a prerequisite for this role but extra technical support is always available.
-
Via our Volunteer Manager, Karan Pollard and our Digital Inclusion Officer, Stuart Tayler.
-
We’re looking for friendly individuals with the ability keep technical explanations simple and are prepared to be very patient, possibly repeating the same concepts multiple times.
Activities Volunteer
As part of our commitment to enabling Link Friends to feel connected to their community again, we encourage those struggling with loneliness and who are able, to attend group activities. We run a wide range of group activities and we also help Link Friends access community near them. We will discuss with you how you could help.
-
Ideally once or twice a week, for a few hours each time.
-
We will provide Volunteer Induction Training, Dementia Training, Safeguarding Training and guidance on the role.
-
Our team will be on hand to support volunteers throughout.
-
We’re looking for cheerful and positive individuals who understand the barriers to joining groups for the first time. Someone non-judgemental with empathy for the serious impact of loneliness on confidence and motivation.
Telephone Call Volunteer
Alongside regular friendship calls, we also have opportunities for volunteers to call our Link Friends to check in and see if they have any particular changes we may need to know about. This is to enable us to support our Link Friends as life changes. Request a volunteer pack→
-
Weekly (ideally) for 1 to 2 hours. (more time if desired!)
-
Confident basic IT skills are required. We will provide Volunteer Induction Training, Dementia Training, Safeguarding Training, training on our database and how to fill in our Microsoft Form. We will also provide some basic guidance on organisations and services in the borough.
-
Via our Client Services Administrator Martha Bryant and our Befriending Officer, Kate Austin.
-
We’re looking for a volunteer who is happy talking to people on the phone and able to ask questions in a friendly and approachable way. Someone who has experience of older people would be ideal and who is relaxed about using our database and filling in a Microsoft form. This would suit somebody who likes an office environment or volunteering from home.
Events Volunteer
We run fundraising events and activities that vary from golf days, to quiz evenings to curry nights to sponsored walks and adventurous challenges. We are looking for volunteers who can help us plan, organise, help on the day and mix in with what needs doing! This could include evenings and weekends. Request a volunteer pack→
-
This role is flexible depending on the event, activity or idea!
-
We will provide Volunteer Induction Training.
-
Via Our Core Services Manager, Karan Pollard.
-
We’re looking for helpful volunteers who are happy to roll their sleeves up with a variety of tasks and roles!
Family Volunteer Club Volunteer
Children and young people can join in with volunteering activities alongside a parent, grandparent or other adult volunteer who has been fully recruited by The Link. From helping at events and fundraising activities to supporting community projects, it's a fun and rewarding way for families to give back together while helping older people feel connected and valued. Request a volunteer pack→
-
This role is flexible depending on the event, activity or idea!
-
Volunteers for The Link Family Volunteer Club will be fully recruited Link Volunteers.
-
Via our Volunteer Manager Karan Pollard
-
We’re looking For volunteers who are warm and friendly, great at facilitating conversations and putting people at ease. Creativity is a plus (though not essential!) Flexible and calm, not afraid to roll their sleeves up if needed.
If you have any questions about volunteering, please get in touch! You can reach us here →