Volunteer with a group
Get Involved > Volunteer > Volunteer with a group
At Guideposts we run a wide range of group-based activities for people with learning disabilities, dementia, mental health problems, as well as social groups for older people and groups for carers. Our groups can always benefit from more friendly faces to help out and talk to those who attend! Take a look at the roles below:
Story Collector
Service: Day trips and longer breaks for adults with learning disabilities
Location: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and beyond
Commitment: Occasional days or weekends
About the projects
Guideposts arranges an increasing number of day trips and longer breaks for adults with learning disabilities. Some are arranged as part of a local service such as Friendship 4 All in Hertfordshire, Stroud Community Hub, or Guideposts Learning and Activity Day Service (GLADS) in Oxfordshire, while others are arranged for people from across any areas to take part in.
They might be a day trip to the seaside, to a special event, or to a local attraction or activity. Trips are varied, and arranged in consultation with the service members.
The trips are arranged not only to give the participants a great experience, but also allow them to participate in activities that may be inaccessible to them otherwise – for reasons of finance, practical accessibility, or opportunity. Guideposts is currently running a campaign Never Seen, Never Been highlighting this need.
Find out more about the Never Seen, Never Been campaign.
About the role
We need volunteers to capture the essence of going on a trip for our participants. What is it like to see the sea for the first time, to experience a fair-ground ride or be touched by the magic of a Christmas market?
Could you capture this in photos, text, or both?
You should have a good way with people and enjoy listening and observing.
Volunteers will join the group for the excursion and take records to document the event. This may include verbal quotes, descriptions of the experience, photographs and video. Your content would then be passed to the Guideposts fundraising and communications team to us in their work raising awareness and encouraging support of our work.
What to expect
We hope you will find volunteering with our groups a rewarding experience. You will have the opportunity to develop your communication skills, perhaps try out new ways of capturing people’s stories, and experience days out with our service members. You will also be making a valuable contribution to the charity.
All volunteers receive an induction, training and on-going support in their role.
No personal care is involved and any out of pocket travel expenses are reimbursed.
This role is ideal for you if:
- You enjoy meeting people
- You are a good, active listener and observer
- You enjoy writing and/or photography
- You have free time to go on trips
Volunteer requirements
- No experience is needed – just an open mind and a love of discovering and telling stories.
- Personal experience of learning disabilities or autism, or experience working with people with learning disabilities would be useful but is not essential.
- An understanding of protecting personal data and Data Protection would be advantageous.
- You will need to be DBS checked, which Guideposts will pay for.
CONNECT Group Support – Gloucestershire
Service: CONNECT Gloucestershire
Location: Whitminster, Stroud, or Gloucester
Commitment: Flexible – our groups meet once a fortnight and you can discuss your commitment with the CONNECT Coordinator
About our CONNECT projects
Our two Guideposts CONNECT groups meet fortnightly in Whitminster and Gloucester for a conversation over a cuppa, building local friendships. We arrange activities so that people attending can discover new hobbies or interests together with our main focus of sharing conversation with friends and having fun!
Carers can also take part either with the person they care for or independently. The carers support group is a space to share hints and tips between carers with similar experiences or just enjoy a respite break.
Find out when and where our groups meet
About the role
Volunteers can involved in lots of fun ways! Examples of the sort of activities you can help include:
- Helping out with activities
- Helping with refreshments
- Encouraging our clients to take part in group activities
- Sharing your own skills or hobbies with the group (e.g. music, art, quizzes, crafts – anything at all!)
What to expect
You will find volunteering at our day opportunities a rewarding experience and a great opportunity for you to develop your skills and maybe learn new skills such as team working, listening, communication and building your own confidence.
All volunteers will receive an induction, training and on-going support in your role.
No personal care is involved and any out of pocket travel expenses are reimbursed
This role is ideal for you if:
- You’ve got a hobby or passion that you would love to share with people
- You enjoy talking to older people and carers
- You have a couple of hours free during the day
Volunteer requirements
No experience is needed – just an open mind and lots of energy to have fun!
CONNECT Group Support – Oxfordshire
Service: CONNECT Oxfordshire
Location: Witney
Commitment: Flexible – our groups meet once a fortnight and you can discuss your commitment with the CONNECT Coordinator.
About CONNECT Oxfordshire
The aims of CONNECT Oxfordshire is to provide an opportunities for people with dementia and their carers to stay active, meet friends and have fun in a safe and friendly environment. Activities include:
- Painting and craft making
- Music, singing
- Reminiscence, reading and poetry
- Chat
- Refreshments and cake
About the role
Examples of the sort of activities you can help include:
- Helping out with activities
- Helping with refreshments
- Encouraging our clients to take part in group activities
- Sharing your own skills or hobbies with the group (e.g. music, art, quizzes, crafts – anything at all!)
What to expect
You will find volunteering at our day opportunities a rewarding experience and a great opportunity for you to develop your skills and maybe learn new skills such as team working, listening, communication and building your own confidence.
All volunteers will receive an induction, training and on-going support in your role.
No personal care is involved and any out of pocket travel expenses are reimbursed
This role is ideal for you if:
- You’ve got a hobby or passion that you would love to share with people
- You enjoy talking to people with dementia and carers
- You have a couple of hours free during the day
Volunteer requirements
No experience is needed – just an open mind and lots of energy to have fun!
Community Mental Health Group Support – Hertfordshire
Service: Community Mental Health Services in South-West Hertfordshire
Location: Watford, South Oxhey, Borehamwood, Rickmansworth, Potters Bar
Commitment: Flexible – our groups meet weekly or fortnightly for 2-3 hour sessions, and you can discuss your commitment with the group coordinator.
About Community Mental Health Groups
The aims of our community mental health services are works with people living with mental health conditions to improve wellbeing, reduce social isolation, and help people to find a greater purpose in life. We have community support groups, where service users and volunteers meet in cafes; and centre groups at our centres in Watford in Borehamwood.
Some groups are based on being social and sharing experiences; others are based around specific activities. If you have a particular interest or skill to share they may fit well with a group. Our activity groups include:
- Painting and craft making
- Gardening at our allotment
- Exercise including walking, badminton, and football
About the role
Examples of the sort of things you can help with include:
- Helping with refreshments
- Helping out with activities
- Encouraging participants to take part in group activities
- Sharing your own skills or hobbies with the group (e.g. music, art, quizzes, crafts – anything at all!)
What to expect
We have above all a friendly and supportive community. We hope you will find volunteering with us a rewarding experience.
It is a great opportunity for you to develop or learn new skills such as team working, listening, communication and building your own confidence.
All volunteers will receive an induction, training and on-going support in your role.
No personal care is involved and any out of pocket travel expenses are reimbursed.
This role is ideal for you if:
- You enjoy sharing conversation
- You would like to help someone improve the quality of their life
- You have a couple of hours free during the working week
Volunteer requirements
- No experience is needed – just an open mind and an interest in meeting people!
- You will need a recent DBS check (this can be arranged when you apply)
Friendship 4 All Volunteer – Stevenage
Job title: Friendship 4 All Volunteer
Hours: Wednesdays 9:30AM-12:30PM
Salary: Voluntary
The Guideposts Friendship Scheme has a wide range of services supporting adults with learning disabilities, including one-to-one befriending, regular social groups, art and exercise clubs, and occasional outings and events. The scheme currently operates in St Albans, Harpenden, Stevenage and North Hertfordshire.
Our Stevenage drop-in club for adults with a learning disability is a place to meet and make new friends. We have fun playing pool, table tennis and table games, or just enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in a friendly space. The group meets weekly in Stevenage on Wednesdays.
We are looking for a like-minded volunteer to join our team in facilitating this community event.
Are you a people person who enjoys conversation and laughs with others?
Do you have a hobby or interest that you could share with others?
Do you have 3 hours spare every week?
If so, this opportunity could be perfect for you!
You will receive:
- Training
- Working with a friendly, experienced team
- Opportunities to take part in events or activities and be part of a new social network
- If you would like more information or to apply, please email careers@guideposts.org.uk
- Apply now
