Organisation Name:
Age UK York
Organisation's Cause(s):
Older Adults
Location of voluntary activity:
Variable, including service user's home.
When are volunteers needed: Variable days and times, to fit around service user and volunteer availability.
Type of Voluntary Activity:
Advice / Information / Support
Role description:
Older people are still disproportionately represented among those that are not online. As more services move online many older people would like to find out how to get online, but this can be daunting. In this role you will help the older people in York to access the digital world and improve their competence in navigating it to their advantage. You will visit an older person and work with them to achieve their digital goals. You will visit them over a few weeks to support them to build the competence and confidence they need to be able to do this for themselves. In addition to this, you may also organise and run in-person digital learning classes (community events) for the older people of York.
Tasks and activities
• Visit an older person at home or in a community setting (café, etc.) on a regular basis – usually weekly – over several weeks.
• Agree with them what they want to achieve by going online.
• Break down the process needed to achieve their goal into simple steps.
• Support them to work through these steps.
• Keep a simple record of your work.
• Potential topics could include the following, depending on what the older person would like to learn: how to stay in touch with friends and family, find out information, check the weather forecast, book appointments, listen to music, access online shopping, or filling out online forms (such as NHS forms).
• Provide 1-1 digital learning home visit sessions, engaging older people who are housebound or less able to engage in group settings.
• Organise and run in-person digital learning classes.
• Attend community events for digital learning.
• Work alongside the AUKY Outreach Volunteers; to coordinate digital learning opportunities.
• Alert Age UK York to any concerns including potential safeguarding matters.
• You will not be asked to deal with financial matters.
Skills and behaviours needed for the role:
The digital inclusion volunteer will have a passion to help others, be IT literate and methodical, being able to break down a task into its component parts. They will be patient, sympathetic and a good listener and communicator, to be able to understand the older person’s needs and work towards achieving their goals. Older people may struggle with the basics or may get confused. Reliability is essential and the ability to understand role boundaries is key. Age UK York volunteers must be willing to work within guidelines and always follow confidentiality policies.
Will there be a DBS check? Yes
Driving Licence required? No
Volunteer's own vehicle required? No
Suitable for:
Ongoing Volunteering
What will the volunteer gain/benefit from:
In return, as an Age UK York volunteer, you will have the opportunity to:
• Help York become more digitally inclusive for older people and help individuals with their goals.
• Be part of a friendly team and supported in your role.
• Access training and development, as appropriate.
How to get involved:
Please find out more by going to our website, where you can see lots of information about volunteering with us, and can complete an expression of interest form.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/york/get-involved/volunteer/
You can also call us on 01904 627995.
Web link: Click here
Closing date: 31-08-2027