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News and essential information

Spring news

Click here to read the latest newsletter sent to our Link Friends.

Use your Charity Days to help with activities

Do you work for a company that allows you to take Charity Days throughout the year? If so, we would love you to come and spend the day with us if you can! We have now worked out a new process to help you take your Charity Day with us at an event or activity that suits you.

Simply fill out this form  (which should take less than a minute) and on completion, you’ll be directed via email to our special calendar of activities and events where we are looking for extra help. Simply choose the activity you’d like to do, let us know and voila! You will be taking time off work and enjoying being with us in no time! It’s a win-win!

Complete this form >
 

Are you receiving email updates?

We regularly send email updates to our volunteer family to keep everyone up to speed, but sometimes our emails can end up in your junk folder - please add marjie@linkvisiting.org and karan.pollard@linkvisiting.org to your contacts to ensure you receive them.

Volunteer essential information

This is designed as a practical reminder after your induction – not a rulebook. When in doubt, please contact the office. To download or print this information, please click here.

The office is your first point of contact, call us on 0118 979 8019. We can help with questions, signposting, rescheduling visits, or just talking things through. We may contact you if we need to share important information or update you urgently by email from karan.pollard@linkvisiting.org / marjie@linkvisiting.org or phone: 07551 227751 (Karan). You'll receive a weekly volunteer email covering news, events, and anything to pass on to your Link Friend urgently.

Visiting your Link Friend

  • You may notice changes in mood, appearance, health, or practical circumstances, things like no food in the house, or something just feeling off. If that happens, let us know as soon as you can by phone or email. You're not expected to judge risk; that's our job. Trust your instincts.

    Outside office hours (8.30am–4.30pm), urgent concerns can be directed to the Emergency Duty Team (Adult Safeguarding): 01344 351 999.

  • Always contact the office first, we'll advise you and, where appropriate, reach out to family on your behalf.

    If you already have a family contact and there's an immediate concern (your Link Friend is unwell, distressed, or confused), it's fine to get in touch with them, but please also loop us in. Don't take sole responsibility for keeping family informed.

  • Try knocking again and, if appropriate, calling their landline or mobile. If you were expected and this is out of character, phone the office straight away.

    If you're still concerned and can't reach anyone, call Thames Valley Police on 101 and ask for a welfare check. Call 999 only if there's immediate danger.

  • Before you leave, try to agree a date and time for your next visit, and encourage your Link Friend to write it down or do it with them. Knowing you're coming back matters more than you might think.

  • You don't need proof, concern is enough. If you're worried about neglect, abuse, exploitation, a sudden decline in health or capacity, or someone being unsafe and unable to protect themselves, please act on it.

    During office hours, call us first. Outside hours, contact the Emergency Duty Team: 01344 351 999.

Your role and boundaries

  • There's no obligation to give out your personal phone number, and once shared it can't be taken back, so go at your own pace. You can always contact the office and we'll pass on messages for you.

  • Before any trip, check the practicalities: can they get in and out of the car safely, will any mobility aids fit, and do they have everything they need (keys, purse, medications)? If anything feels unsafe, don't proceed, call the office.

  • Your role is friendship, not tasks. It's okay (and often necessary) to say no if you're asked to do shopping, hospital runs, or household jobs. A useful question to ask yourself: am I doing this with them or for them? If your Link Friend needs more practical support, call us and we'll help find alternatives.

  • Please don't accept money or expensive gifts. A small token for a birthday or at Christmas (around £10 or under) is fine. If you're ever unsure, just check with the office.

Helpful contact details

The Link Visiting Scheme office: 0118 979 8019 

Karan Pollard, Core Services Manager: 07751 227751

Marjie Walker, CEO: 0118 9798019

Click here for all other team member contact details

For all safeguarding concerns, if the Link office is not available:

Wokingham Borough Council Safeguarding Adults Hub (office hours): 0118 974 6371

Emergency Duty team (out of office hours): 01344 78 6543

Wokingham Citizens advice (office hours): 0300 330 1189, citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk 

Download volunteering posters

Why not print off some Link Visiting Scheme posters to encourage your colleagues to volunteer with our charity? Click here to download some poster options.