Whether juggling family and work commitments to provide care a few hours a week, or caring 24 hours each day, if you provide regular help and support to a partner, relative or friend because they cannot manage without your help, then Carers Link is here for you.
In East Dunbartonshire 1 Person in 8 is a Carer.
Frequently Asked Questions:
There are no formal qualifications needed to volunteer with Carers Link, however possessing an interest in people, patience, skills in listening and the ability to communicate with people is essential, as is - in some situations - a good sense of humour! All Volunteer roles also require that the Volunteer is someone who is reliable, a good timekeeper and trustworthy.
This depends on what voluntary opportunity you are involved in and on how much time you can give to Carers Link. Most Volunteers commit to 2-3 hours each week, however some do this on a fortnightly basis. We try to ensure that all Volunteer roles are flexible and can fit around your time and commitments. There are also volunteer roles that form part of a pool of Volunteers that can be called upon. These are on an ‘ad hoc’ basis.
This also depends on the type of volunteering you are involved with. For example, our ‘Carers Call’ Volunteers and other office type roles are based in our offices in Milngavie, whereas most volunteering takes place in your local area or throughout East Dunbartonshire. If you need to travel, your expenses will be reimbursed.
Carers Link believes that volunteering is open to anyone (see our Equal Opportunities Statement) and therefore that the cost of travel or taking part in activities should not prevent you from volunteering. All Volunteers will have their travel expenses reimbursed for their volunteering activities as well as for attending support meetings, training, information sessions and any other events organised by Carers Link.
All Volunteers are required to provide the details of two people (not relatives) from whom references can be sought in order for us to get to know you better. For nearly all volunteer roles a Disclosure will be necessary (formerly known as a ‘Police Check’). Any potential Volunteer who refuses permission for these checks will not be accepted as a Volunteer with Carers Link.
Volunteers are insured for any voluntary activity that Carers Link asks them to be involved in. Volunteers are insured through our Insurance Policies for Public Liability and Professional Indemnity. Under the former, legal liability to third parties for damage to their property or bodily injury, illness or disease is covered. Claims are not paid if the injury consists solely of illness or disease or if the injury results from any physical condition or infirmity that was already known about. Full copies of these Insurance Policies are held by Carers Link and are available to view on request.
Carers Link appreciates that providing support to Carers is rewarding but that sometimes it can be stressful, however there are various training opportunities to equip Volunteers with the skills to meet the requirements of their role(s).
All Volunteers must attend an “Induction to Carers Link” information session, and thereafter information sessions specific to their support roles within the organisation. These sessions aim to be informative, interesting, fun and provide the opportunity to meet other Volunteers, and discuss experiences. Where possible these flexible sessions will be tailored to the individual needs of Volunteers.
The amount of training that you receive will depend upon which type of volunteering role you become involved in. Awareness Raising Volunteers will usually attend a half-day training session, whereas Volunteers providing information or emotional support will usually attend basic training over at least a day in order to provide enough skills and knowledge to get started.
Carers Link encourages Volunteers to attend internal and external training specific to their role(s). We have access to a wide range of training courses such as ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), SMFHA (Scottish Mental Health First Aid), Bereavement training, First Aid courses and condition-specific training. Additional appropriate training will also be offered from time to time.
