Combat loneliness and isolation with Age UK Sheffield - Porter Valley In Touch Volunteering
Age UK Sheffield's new service, Porter Valley In Touch, aims to reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing for older people, especially since the corona virus outbreak. Could you help? Roles are very flexible - volunteer as much time as you wish; No experience is required; You’ll be supported throughout the whole process and receive a training & resource pack. See more details and apply here. More information is available on the Age UK website. This role can be done remotely or in-person (in line with social distance measures)
***
Sheffield Healthy Holidays Project
The Sheffield Healthy Holidays project will support approx. 7,500 children across the city to access activities and food provision over the summer holidays (20th July - 31st August). Register with VAS (Voluntary Action Sheffield) as a volunteer and you'll be able to sign up for shifts with the Healthy Holidays project, and apply for other roles with charities and organisations approved by VAS. The following roles are available (apply through our website, then register with VAS on this website)
Food and Activity Hamper Preparation 2020
Hamper Delivery Helper 2020
Children and Young People’s Activity Volunteer 2020
***
Delivery drivers for emergency food parcels
Timebuilders are looking for volunteer drivers to deliver emergency food boxes to people in need. If you drive and want to be helpful, meet new people in different communities across Sheffield, and can spare a few hours each week, let us know - you'll make a really positive difference. Get in touch with Timebuilders on Facebook or text 07421 745829 and a member of the team will call you back.
***
St Luke's Hospice - Donations centre and Retail volunteers wanted!
Support Sheffield's only hospice and volunteer your time for a fantastic cause. You could sort through donations, looking out for valuable items to be sold in vintage shops or on the ebay store, help at the newly reopening charity shops, or share your digital skills. All training and supervision is provided and the experience will be very rewarding! Apply here or see more on the St Luke's Hospice website here or email volunteer@hospicesheffield.co.uk
***
Support older people in BAME communities in Sheffield
SCCCC's new Inclusive Community Care project is a befriending service for BAME communities. SCCCC are especially looking to recruit volunteers to support older people from BAME backgrounds and those who speak additional languages. If you want to support your local community and can spare an hour a week to visit an older person - join the team as a volunteer! Find out more and get in touch with the team here
***
Foodhall is a volunteer-powered community dining space and kitchen in the heart of Sheffield, bringing people together around food. During the COVID-19 Pandemic it is Foodhall's priority to provide food and support to those most at-risk and isolated in our community. They still need as many volunteers as possible to keep people fed so why not Lend A Hand? Find out how to volunteer or donate here
***
Retail charity shop volunteers for Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK have reopened their stores in Sheffield - city centre and Ecclesall road. Could you spare a few hours per week and volunteer? Apply here or read more on the Cancer Research UK website
***
Food Works are a social enterprise collecting food destined for landfill and making it available to the people of Sheffield. You can help them to provide the city with affordable access to food throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as a Cook, Warehouse Assistant or Van Driver. If you wouldn't have to use public transport to get there and don't have to stay at home for health or family reasons, please click on these links, or go to the Food Works website, or send an email to volunteers@thefoodworks.org
***
South Yorkshire Housing Association (SYHA) are continuing to support people living in the SYHA estates and who are part of the SYHA schemes. As a Community Connection Volunteer, you will help vulnerable people and local communities during this difficult time. Apply through the SYHA website (using your @sheffield.ac.uk address) and get in touch with the SYHA team directly.
***
Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS) have co-ordinated a city-wide response to Covid-19, by building a network of local community hubs and gathering interest from volunteers who wish to support elderly, frail, disabled, and vulnerable people and families in Sheffield - with remote and in person volunteering opportunities.
VAS have created this Sheffield COVID Support Map, on which you can search for organisations who need help in your local area. It details support offered by street level groups such as mutual aid, and community hubs. The map is live, and a work in progress; it points to where you can go to get information or support; or to offer to volunteer. It also contains some really good advice and guidance. To view the map and info, please click here.
Download and install the Now Then App (free for Android and Apple devices), for regular COVID-19 updates and more information about the city’s community response.
***
Staying safe when supporting others
Please only consider helping out in person if you are well and able to, and not self-isolating or showing any symptoms of Covid-19.
It’s important to stay safe when supporting others. Use the following instructions created by NCVO:
- Let family and friends know what you are doing and where you are going
- Support family, friends and neighbours by phone or video call
- Stay at least two metres or about three steps away from people you’re helping
- Offer to run errands for people but stay outside of people’s homes
- Keep washing your hands, often, for 20 seconds
- Don’t take on too much as it’s often better not to offer at all than to let someone down
- If you’re trying to help someone with very serious issues, then don’t be afraid to flag with appropriate statutory services