Volunteering with Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership

We are looking for volunteers to support us within social care and social support settings in the community throughout Perth and Kinross. 

PKHSCP aims to work alongside individuals, communities, statutory, independent and third sector providers to ensure people can live as positive and independent a life as possible within their own community and to help people feel included rather than socially isolated.  Volunteers connecting and supporting people are a key part of making that aim a reality.  

We also welcome contact from organisations or groups where volunteering is encouraged such as 3rd Sector partners and those working on their Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Our Volunteer Co-ordinators can assist with matching people to health and social care volunteering opportunities.

Is volunteering right for you? 

Do you have some time to spend helping others in your local community who have become isolated, lonely or would like to make connections? Perhaps you want to develop skills for the workplace or would like to change your career path?  

Volunteering can be an opportunity to share your skills, make connections and gives you the prospect of trying something new. 

Are you looking to:

• Make use of some free time.
• Make a difference. Volunteering can have a real and valuable positive affect on people, communities, and society in general.
• Be part of a community. Volunteering can help you feel part of something outside your friends and family.
• Meet people. Volunteering can help you meet different kinds of people and make new friends.
• Learn new skills. Volunteering can help you learn new skills, gain experience and sometimes even qualifications.
• Gain confidence. Volunteering can help you gain confidence by giving you the chance to try something new and build a real sense of achievement.
• Take on a challenge. Through volunteering you can challenge yourself to try something different, achieve personal goals, practice using your skills and discover hidden talents.
• Or perhaps you are already volunteering and looking to take on another challenge.

Volunteering opportunities with the Health and Social Care Partnership

Current volunteering opportunities

Examples of volunteering opportunities currently being progressed include befriending, care home visitor, driver, and sports buddy.   

Befriending

• To accompany people on easy and local walks as mobility allows.
• To accompany people out on walks to local high street for coffee or to the shops (Risk Assessment dependent).
• To spend quality time with people within a Care Home.
• To visit someone within their home, carrying out activities they are interested in e.g. crafts, conversation, games and puzzles.
• To visit and also take someone out to an activity of their choice.

Care home visitors - Contact for those without family or friends to visit 

• To communicate and interact with care home residents doing something they are interested in, to help reduce social isolation in a community care home setting, possibly playing a game, or doing a crossword or helping with a craft activity. 

Volunteer drivers

• To provide transport in harder to reach areas or where there is not an available 'community transport' service that can be accessed.
• This will be done using the volunteers own vehicle so that the person can attend social events or opportunities to socialise.  Transport is key for many people who cannot readily access public transport.  You will be joining a pool of volunteer drivers who are keen to support individuals in their local community.

Activity buddy

• To support, inspire and encourage a client to partake in their chosen activity.

Gardening

• To assist clients with an interest in gardening help plant flowers and vegetables and to supervise them in any light gardening they may wish to do eg pruning, light weeding, making up baskets, watering plants etc.

Some of the types of volunteering require a background check to be completed to ensure the safety of both the volunteer and those who require your help. This process is managed by Perth and Kinross Council.  More details of what the check entails can be found in our   PVG Policy (PDF) [166KB]  or discuss with our volunteer coordinators.

How to become a volunteer

Whatever your reason, you can register with us today and start taking control of your volunteering journey with PKHSCP.

Volunteer expression of interest

Apply to be a volunteer

The information provided by you in this form will be used by Perth & Kinross Council to deliver volunteering. The information will not be disclosed to third parties.

We may check information provided by you, or information about you provided by a third party, with other information held by us. We may also get information from certain third parties or share your information with them in order to verify its accuracy, prevent or detect crime, protect public funds or where required by law. 
For further information, please look at our Data Protection page; email Data Protection or phone 01738 477933.

How do I request a volunteer?

Do you or someone you know require some support to carry out routine tasks or activities.  If you would like to discuss options, please contact either Lynne Cunningham on 07789791264 or Mary Begbie on 07789728334 or email  volunteers@pkc.gov.uk.

NHS Tayside

The PKHSCP Volunteer Coordinator has a remit to develop volunteering within NHS Tayside community services in Perth and Kinross.  This includes supporting volunteers at 'hearing aid drop in' sessions throughout Perth and Kinross, volunteers at immunisation clinics, volunteers who meet and greet at a range of out-patient clinics. 

Other organisations that support your neighbours

• Volunteer for PKAVS | PKAVS
• NHS Tayside (scot.nhs.uk)
• PK Learning & Development - Home
• Volunteering | Voluntary Work | Volunteer with Royal Voluntary Service

I have really enjoyed the weeks and the time with you...It's helped me to feel brighter about the future

 What a difference to my life - I now have somewhere to go and love it!

It was nice to get out and talk to people