Volunteering with VASL

Volunteering with VASL

Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, make new friends and get out and about, whilst giving something back to the community. All our volunteering opportunities are designed to be fun and rewarding and we’ll give you all the help and support you need to get started and make the most of it. Have a look at what some of our VASL volunteers have to say and the impact that volunteering has.

We offer full training and support, taking the time to get to know you and exploring the skills and knowledge you bring to the role.

Volunteering here at VASL

We offer a great range of volunteering opportunities, whether you’d like to volunteer with us regularly or every now and then. You could spend an hour or two a week helping older people get more out of their lives with our Community Champions project, providing transport to those that cannot get around Harborough, or providing support to one of our groups.

So what are we looking for?

Below are some of the volunteering opportunities at VASL. If you decide you would like to be considered as a volunteer for any of the roles below then fill in our Volunteer Registration Form, (downloadable below) or ring us and we will post a paper copy to you.

Volunteer Registration Form – Word.doc
Volunteer Registration Form – PDF

Community Wellbeing Harborough

This service is looking for people to become part of a valued team of volunteers who befriend individuals who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems with a view to:

  • Creating a valued therapeutic connection
  • Helping to improve self-confidence and reduce social isolation
  • Identify goals, based on the 5 ways to wellbeing, (The 5 ways are to connect, to give, to learn, to notice and to be active) and supporting clients to achieve their targets

We are looking to expand our diverse team of valued volunteers and would like to hear from you if you are interested in supporting someone facing mental health challenges and or isolation. 
We have the following roles:

  • Telephone Befriender – providing up 12 weeks’ worth of telephone support.
  • Group Support – welcoming people into the session, helping with refreshments and setting up/clearing away the session.
  • Co-Group Facilitator- welcoming people into the session, supporting staff member with delivery of wellbeing topic, having a key role in the planning of the session.
  • Community Connector – meeting a client in the community and supporting them to access community resources, usually up to 3 sessions.

We are led by you around how much time you have to commit; full training will be given. 

If you are interested in any of these volunteering opportunities and would like to know more please contact: Emma.  Thank you.

Phone – 01858 456042I
Email – wellbeing@vasl.org.uk

Support for Carers


Telephone Befrienders

At Support for Carers we have a great team of volunteers who provide regular phone calls to the carers of Leicestershire, making a huge impact to carers daily.

We are looking for friendly, empathetic individuals who can volunteer their time with Support for Carers to make a real difference. Most volunteers commit to making calls one afternoon or one morning a week (no weekend calls are involved.)

Perhaps you look after a loved one yourself or have had experience in a caring role and therefore, understand carers’ situations. Maybe you want to get into something new and give back to your community. If so we would love to hear from you.

Please contact us if you would like to get involved or for more information

Phone – 01858 468543
Email – maureen@supportforcarers.org

Carers Dementia Guardian

  • Offering face to face and Telephone support to carers of loved ones with dementia
  • Supporting the work of VASL.

Phone – 01858 468543
Email – maureen@supportforcarers.org

Community Champions

We are looking for volunteers who will visit or make phone calls, email or write to older people who live alone in Harborough District. Our volunteers get in touch once a week to share some news and to listen, it makes such a difference to someone who might not be able to get out of the house on their own. We are getting back to face to face meetings, but phone calls, letters and emails are still important.

We will offer you training and support as you develop a relationship with your client.
If you want to know more about this, please get in touch.

Community Champions Volunteers

We’re looking for caring people to volunteer their time and skills, to help isolated or lonely people reconnect with their local community. With your encouragement and companionship they will be able to discover new opportunities and achieve their personal goals. Visit isolated or lonely older people at home and encourage them to broaden their horizons by trying out local groups, activities etc. You’ll be matched to the person you support for a year, so you’ll have plenty of time to really make a difference to their lives.

Telephone Champions

Call isolated and lonely people on a regular basis, giving them companionship, support and practical help and information.

Digital Volunteers

Visit isolated and lonely people at home and show them how to use and benefit from the internet, both practically and socially. There’s a world of online information and support out there, as well as communities of like-minded people and fun, enriching activities. You will help people discover all this and more.

Phone – 01858 439262
Email – champions@vasl.org.uk

Car Scheme – Drivers

Drivers are needed to help people in areas with no public transport get to hospital appointments etc. Expenses are provided.

Phone – 01858 468499
Email –ljones@vasl.org.uk

Young Carers Project run by HCYC

Drivers for Young Carers Project

Drivers are needed to help transport young carers to and from the groups which has is run by HCYC. Expenses are provided.

Chaperones for Young Carers Project

Volunteers to accompany young carers when transporting to or from one of the HCYC activities.
The Young Carers Project is now managed by HCYC but VASL are managing the transport.
Telephone 01858 433232
Email: admin@vasl.org.uk

Become a Trustee

The Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of VASL, developing the organisations aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines. and trust in the Charity.
All potential trustees should be able to commit time to attend a full Board meeting every two months. Trustees are also encouraged to join at least one sub-committee (currently Finance and HR) and participate in joint working groups with the staff.
You do not need previous experience of being a trustee; many find that they bring transferable skills from other walks of life, such as budget setting and oversight, planning and prioritising resources and activities.

To find out more and for an informal chat about volunteering please contact business support 01858 433232 or email admin@vasl.org.uk

Full training is available for all of our volunteering opportunities.
Download a registration form or ring us to receive a paper copy.

VASL welcomes people from all backgrounds as volunteers, clients or staff. We aim to provide an excellent service to everyone and do not discriminate in the support we offer on any grounds eg, race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, marriage status etc

We will do our best to make sure everyone is included and respected. We hope that you will also embrace our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion so that together we can build positive relationships and connect communities across all types of diversity.

VASL has just set up an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group which will help us develop best practice in this vital work.

Telephone 01858 433 232
Email: admin@vasl.org.uk
Address:
VASL, Torch House, Torch Way, Market Harborough, LE16 9HL

Rest Less Age Inclusive Volunteering

Other volunteering opportunities

While we hope that you will decide to volunteer with VASL, there are many other opportunities to volunteer in the County for local and national charities. From volunteering in charity shops to clearing rivers, from supporting a scout group to encouraging a love of reading, you can find details on the VAL website
To find out more about volunteering and how you could get involved through VAL please contact them on: volunteering@valonline.org.uk 0116 257 50 50