VOLUNTEER COLUMN: Friendly faces needed to help elderly people

Kindhearted volunteers are needed to help brighten the lives of elderly residents at a nursing home in Littlehampton

Volunteer Now!, which is part of Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester, is appealing for people to help the Summerlea House nursing home, in East Street.

The home runs a special befriending programme to enrich the lives of its residents.

The scheme aims to provide regular visits from volunteers, to sit and chat with people living at Summerlea House.

Those keen to take on the role could also be called upon to help with shopping trips. Applicants should have a friendly nature, enjoy being with people and be good listerners.

Other opportunities available for prospective volunteers across the Gazette this week are:

n Littlehampton’s Oxfam shop is looking for someone to help out at the store, in Bayford Road.

Volunteers would assist with the sorting, pricing and displaying of the items that have been donated. They may also be required to operate the tills. Full training would be given for this.

Those keen to become a part of the team should visit the www.do-it.org.uk website or call Volunteer Now! on 01243 864220.

n Volunteers with a love of the great outdoors are being called upon to lead a series of healthy walks across the Arun district.

Arun District Council’s leisure operator, Inspire Leisure, is looking for someone to provide and lead short walks to encourage sedentary people to become more active and to improve their overall health.

Good organisational and communication skills are needed as well as an interest in helping people improve their fitness,

n An introductory course is being offered for those who would like to become a volunteer but are not sure how to.

The course is taking place at the Angmering Community Centre, in Foxwood Avenue, on May 19, from 10am-1.30pm.

It is being organised by Volunteer Now! and will offer key pointers on how to become a volunteer, what skills volunteering can offer and how it could lead to permanent employment. Another course will be held on June 16, at the same times, at the Arundel Baptist Church, in Torton Hill Road.

Places are limited for both and need to be booked in advance. To book, or find out more about volunteer opportunities, call 01243 864220, email [email protected] or visit www.vaac.org.uk