CARA: Volunteer With Us

This is an opportunity for anybody who is friendly, outgoing, loves to talk to people and for someone who really wants to make a difference to our clients mental health & wellbeing.

As many of our clients are Irish living in Liverpool or of Irish descent, we welcome applicants who are local to the Liverpool City Region, are of Irish descent and/or have good knowledge of Irish History, Geography and Culture though this is not a necessity.

The aim is to provide regular, friendly chats to our clients which will help alleviate loneliness and social isolation during this difficult time. You will call the same person weekly, allowing you to build rapport with your buddy over time. Though working on your own from home, you will be part of a wider network of volunteers who work closely with the CARA Project Co-ordinator and our support workers to ensure that our clients remain safe and well throughout the pandemic.

The role will suit somebody who is able to develop long lasting, positive relationships with people, is a good listener and someone who is patient and empathetic with people who may be lonely.

Main Responsibilities:

• Taking a brief from the Project Co-ordinator on your client (we endeavour to pair clients with volunteers who share similar interests etc.)
• Making a regular telephone call to one (or more if it suits) of our clients for a general chat. The time and frequency can be arranged to suit both parties.
• Report any concerns or problems to the Project Co-ordinator immediately.
• To record information about the call to the Project Co-ordinator in a timely manner.

Key Skills and Abilities

• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Patience and sensitivity
• Non-judgemental; treating everyone with respect and dignity
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Reliability
• Flexibility
• Good knowledge of the Liverpool City Region and/or of Irish culture, history & geography are a bonus.

The Commitment

• A minimum of 30 minutes per week to make the phone calls and write up a brief report.
• We understand that volunteers need to make volunteering fit around other commitments so there is no    time limit on the length of service. However, we ask volunteers to commit to a minimum of 4 months if possible, so that our clients get the best out of the service and forge a meaningful friendship.


Our Commitment To You
• You will receive induction and ongoing training as part of your role.
• We will provide regular follow ups and support.
• We will keep you informed on the positive impact of your work and the difference it is making to our clients and our charity.
• We will happily provide you with references for further employment if necessary.
• We will also allow you the opportunity to have your say and to put your ideas across to support the CARA Programme.
• Reimbursement of out of pocket expenses.

This role involves working with vulnerable groups and you will therefore be asked to complete a DBS Disclosure. A criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from volunteering with CARA. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact: Andy Kelly, CARA Project Co-ordinator at: Andy.Kelly@iccm.org.uk

As many within our community will be shielding during this difficult time, we require volunteers who are able to purchase and deliver essential goods on an ad-hoc basis.

How it Works:

• Our community case workers will receive a shopping request and pass it on to the Project Co-ordinator
• Project co-ordinator will advertise the request via our volunteer WhatsApp Group.
• If you're available at the time of the request, we will contact you with a shopping list and delivery details.
• You purchase the items from a supermarket of your choice, making sure to take a photo of your receipt. 
• Once purchased, you deliver the items to the person who requires them.
• We reimburse you for the items you purchased.

Key Skills and Abilities

• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Patience and sensitivity
• Non-judgemental; treating everyone with respect and dignity
• Understanding of confidentiality
• Reliability
• Flexibility
• Good knowledge of the Liverpool City Region

The Commitment

With this opportunity you do not need to be available at any specific time as requests often come through sporadically. If you're not available at the time of the request then there's no need to worry and there's no minimum time requirement to fulfil this role. 

Our Commitment To You

• You will receive induction and ongoing training as part of your role.
• We will provide regular follow ups and support.
• We will keep you informed on the positive impact of your work and the difference it is making to our clients and our charity.
• We will happily provide you with references for further employment if necessary.
• We will also allow you the opportunity to have your say and to put your ideas across to support the CARA Programme.
• Reimbursement of out of pocket expenses.

Other Requirements:

You will need to have access to your own car with a full clean drivers licence. You car insurance should also cover for you for your voluntary duties.

This role involves working with vulnerable groups and you will therefore be asked to complete a DBS Disclosure. A criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent you from volunteering with CARA. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact: Andy Kelly, CARA Project Co-ordinator at: Andy.Kelly@iccm.org.uk