Do you live in a rural or semi-rural location? Would you like to help older people in your community and surrounding areas? If yes, please read on.

Community Information Volunteers (previously known as Village Agents) provide an information/connections service and form-filling, to people living in their local area, enabling them to find the help and support they need and to engage with their community. They are known, trusted local residents and provide face-to-face contact, for people who are less likely to use the telephone or internet, to access information.

Outline of the role

What do Community Information Volunteers actually do?

Community Information Volunteers work to make their faces known in their local area by attending events and groups, so that people get to know who they are and that they can be approached with queries and form-filling.

They visit people in their homes in response to queries, and will also provide a helping hand to enable the person to make use of the information provided. This could be by making a phone call or filling in a form on behalf of the person. They may help to arrange transport, or go with a person to a local group for the first time, to help introduce them.

Typical enquiries include, but are not exclusive to:

• Finding local tradespeople, such as gardeners or a handyperson
• Helping to complete forms, such as Blue Badge and Attendance Allowance applications
• Introducing to local community groups and services, such as lunch clubs or social groups
• Staying safe around the home, such as personal alarms
• Finding help around the home, such as a carer or cleaner

Also, Community Information Volunteers get to know key local groups and organisations, such as the parish/town council, GP surgery and other voluntary organisations working in the area. They are supported by our Information Service (0800 328 7154 or enquiries@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk) if they need help with a resident’s query.

Training is provided, and you will be required to undertake regular training/reading, to keep up-to-date with the latest practices and guidance. A DBS check will be required. You will be based at home, but will be visiting people in their home and attending local meetings/groups/activities.

For this role you need to be:

• An excellent communicator, both in writing and orally, with a range of people and organisations such as older people, carers, relatives and professionals
• Good interpersonal skills
• Able to review and extract relevant information
• Good IT skills – email; using the internet; Microsoft Office (Word; Excel)
• Strong time-management skills
• Understanding
• Friendly
• Car owner/driver or able to travel in your local community and surrounding areas

What is in it for you?

• Becoming part of a friendly, dedicated organisation
• Volunteering in your local community for a local independent charity
• Meeting people and making new friends
• Improving and learning new skills
• Enjoying new experiences
• References for your CV