Volunteering Opportunities

1) Befrienders: We need people who are good at listening, patient, and like people. Befriending involves visiting someone in their own home, and spending an hour with them each week. The people befrienders visit are often quite lonely and isolated, and visits from befrienders can brighten up their whole week.
So come and join us, and help improve someone’s life by just being there.

2) Visiting Service: Some people need occasional support at difficult times in their life. We are looking for people who can offer a listening ear and support. This can involve visiting different people rather than one person on a regular basis. If you can offer an hour a week or a minimum of an hour per month come along and join our team of visitors.

3) Community Drop-In: We are looking for people who are self reliant, organised, like meeting people and are happy to work independently. Volunteers at the Community Drop-Ins will give information and advice to OPAL members. Full induction and training will be given.
The community Drop-Ins will initially be running for 2 hours, once a month and aim to make OPAL’s services more accessible to older people in the Leeds 16 community.

4) Assisted Shopping Volunteers: Some people require someone to shop with them as they are unable to do it on their own. This will involve transporting the older person by car to the shops, walking around with them, and carrying their shopping. Do you have access to a car, have a full driving license and can you spare 2 - 3 hours a month?
If you have said “yes” to all 3, then please contact us. This is a much needed service for older people.

5) Sitters: Many older people are caring for a spouse or family member. OPAL has a monthly Carer’s Support Group offering carers a much needed break. Unfortunately carers are not always in a position to attend and find it difficult to have time to themselves. because they can’t leave the person they care for, on their own.
Can you spare two hours a month to give a carer a much needed break?

6) Car Drivers: Can you drive? Do you have some spare time? Help provide transport to social events and appointments. Driver opportunities vary from providing transport on an ad hoc basis to a regular commitment to weekly activities. Applicants should be car owners, with a full driving license, in good health and be prepared to transport clients in their own car.

7) Main Drop-In: At our main office OPAL offers a Drop-In Monday to Friday
10.00am-1.00pm and Weds 2.30pm -4.00pm. The Drop-In offers older people information and advocacy services.
Do you have good communication skills and the confidence to support people deal with problems e.g. dealing with a utility company or the council. Can you give 3 hours a week to help us give this invaluable service to local older people?
If so, then join our small team of volunteers who act as the main contact person at the OPAL Drop-In.

8) General Opportunities: OPAL offers trips and various activities at which volunteers assist people in wheelchairs or with mobility problems. Volunteers also help with making tea and coffees at various events. Contact us to get involved - you can give as much or as little time as you like.

9) Offer Something New: We are always keen to hear new ideas and gain new skills. Volunteers with OPAL offer massage sessions, run tea dances, teach computer skills and fundraise.