Seeking volunteers

Royal Voluntary Service - a charity which helps older people live happy, independent lives - has launched ‘Intergenerational Skill Swap’ and ‘Intergenerational Five Ways to Wellbeing’ to address the issues of isolation and loneliness among older people, and to improve mental and physical wellbeing.

To make the projects a success, Royal Voluntary Service is now calling on local people to give up a couple of hours of their time each week to become a volunteer for the service, so that the charity can help as many people in the community as possible.

Service manager Wilma Smith said: “This is a fantastic project that has been designed to make a real difference to the lives of older and younger people in the community. It’s an opportunity for younger people who are facing challenges with their life to talk to someone older who is impartial and to learn from their years of experience.

“However, to make the project a success, we need new volunteers who are willing to give up just a couple of hours of their time each week, to help those who need it most. In return you will develop your skills and improve your own wellbeing.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for someone who can spare a little time and wishes to share that time with someone who is at risk of social isolation.”

If you are aged between 15 and 49, you can volunteer by sharing your skills, hobbies or experience of any topic, including gardening, baking, knitting and painting.

The charity is also seeking people aged 50 or over to help mentor their younger volunteers.

Wilma added: “We need people who would like to make a difference and who would like to be a mentor to a young person by sharing their skills, as part of our ‘Intergenerational Five Ways to Wellbeing’ programme.”

The project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund. Royal Voluntary Service supports over 100,000 older people each month.

To apply to volunteer please email [email protected] or call 07736825304 or visit Royal Voluntary Service