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GoldStar - Promoting good practice in managing volunteers from socially excluded groups

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Project	Description
Age Concern Islington	Helping old people to engage with the community through volunteering

Age Concern Islington (ACI) is a not-for-profit organisation that works with, and for, older people in the London Borough of Islington. Its work centres on quality of life, seeking to ensure that older people are able to maintain their self-respect and independence and that they are able to enjoy freedom of choice and equal opportunities. Islington is the sixth most deprived borough in England, as well as one of the most ethnically diverse and densely populated boroughs in London.

The Older Persons volunteer project aims to enable older people to engage with their community through volunteering opportunities. This group has been underrepresented in volunteering and can be hard to reach due to isolation. Therefore, the project’s recruitment strategy includes a lot of outreach work, such as information in GP surgeries, churches and mosques, libraries, local shops, and also partnership working with BME community groups amongst others.

As volunteers are recruited there is a strong emphasis placed on finding a role that meets the potential volunteer’s interests and needs. To do this effectively, it is important to take time to assess what the potential volunteer is looking for. Clear task descriptions are used, from ACI’s own projects and those from other organisations, to match people to roles. Task descriptions are discussed verbally to provide a clear understanding of the role.

New volunteers are given an induction and also invited to a quarterly training session, “Understanding our policies… for all new volunteers”. In addition, volunteers are offered training specifically tailored to their role. For example, the Home for Hospital project focuses on personal safety when visiting people’s homes. Training for day centre volunteers can include first aid, the language of care settings and manual handling.

ACI has been particularly good at offering lots of one-off volunteering opportunities for older people, which particularly benefits those who don’t feel they are able to commit to the traditional model of regular volunteering because of their own health or that of a family member.

The work of the volunteers is recognised and celebrated in many ways. Quarterly social events are organised from Christmas parties, to thank you days. At thank you events volunteers are presented with Certificates of Achievement. The Annual Report formally recognises volunteer achievements and the Volunteer Newsletter dedicates a number of pages to volunteers sharing their experiences. ACI has also developed a practice of nominating volunteers for any relevant awards and inviting volunteers to any relevant events. The organisation also publishes an annual calendar showing the volunteers at work.

Islington Age Concern has a history of developing and disseminating good practice. The ‘Voice and Choice’ project, helping older people to stand up for their rights and voice their concerns, regularly distributes best practice guides in several areas, including the “Listening to Older People” guide.

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