Group Support Assistant

Our Group Support Assistants are able to offer friendship and support and form positive relationships with older people who attend our group sessions. There will be initial support from a member of staff for a number of weeks prior to any volunteers facilitating a group without staff present.

Supporting at one of our groups or day centres

Making refreshments for people attending

Helping to run activities - finding out peoples interests

Referring onto other groups activities as appropriate

Talking and listening to people attending

Establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries

Informing Age UK Bradford District staff of any concerns about the people attending our groups

Updating the Charity Log System with details of people attending the group (or sending these details to a nominated member of staff to update

Skills

Reliable

Ability to maintain and respect confidentiality

Ability to share skills, interests or activities

Understanding, patient and empathetic

Non-judgmental

Effective communication skills

Outgoing, personable and a good conversationalist

Willingness to follow Age UK Bradford District values, policies and procedures, including Health & Safety, Data Protection & Confidentiality, Equal Opportunities.

Polite and courteous at all times

Desire to support older people in the community

A basic understanding of older people and an appreciation of issues facing older people