Role Title: Office Volunteer

Responsible to: Organiser

Hours of Work: One morning (9:45-12:15) fortnightly

Location: Ham and Petersham SOS Office, Woodville Road, Ham

About the opportunity:
The main purpose of this voluntary position is to answer the phone for Ham and Petersham SOS during the organisation’s published office hours of 10:00 to 12:00 and use a computer database to organise volunteer tasks, matching outstanding tasks with volunteers, provide excellent customer service skills on the telephone or in person when dealing with members and volunteers and to assist the Organiser with other administration tasks as requested.

Benefits to volunteer:
So many people don’t have family who live close to them. We connect people who want to help, with people who need help. It’s a win, win. Those who volunteer feel more engaged with the people within their own local communities. And those people who ask us for help are able to get to appointments, see their friends and get out and about.

About Ham & Petersham SOS:
Ham and Petersham SOS is a registered charity and a limited company that has been assisting elderly and disabled members of our community for almost 50 years. Our volunteers provide car transport for local people who need help to attend medical appointments and social activities, as well as befriending local residents who need support. We own a minibus which is used to provide twice weekly door to door shopping trips to Sainsbury’s in Kingston and provides transport for people who need assistance with the journey and help with carrying their shopping. We also use the minibus for our popular monthly outings, visiting a variety of destinations throughout the year. We hold weekly Tea and Chat sessions and a Lunch Club in the Community Room at Ham Library. SOS is run by a paid Coordinator and two assistants, all of whom are part time, and who are based in our office which is in the Woodville Centre in Ham. Volunteers provide further help in the office as well as helping with and running our services.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for people of all ages with a heart for older and or disabled people. You will need to be reliable, friendly and approachable and have empathy, compassion and patience. You need to have a good telephone manner and experience of admin work would be helpful as would knowledge of databases. You will need to be able to offer 1 to 2 days per month and full training is provided.

Practical Considerations
DBS Check
Informal discussion
References
Reimbursement for out of pocket expenses