We have volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds and communities fulfilling various different roles. We wouldn’t be able to deliver our services without the help of these amazing volunteers who generously give their time, energy and skills to enable us to provide our clients with the services, care and support they deserve.
Our volunteers form a vital and integral part of the work we do at CHEER. Like you, they’re people who want to make an impact on a local level, in their community. By joining us you’ll discover new friends, new skills and be able to share your passion and experience to support local people. No matter how much time you can commit, we can help you find a role that works for you.
Why volunteer with CHEER?
Make a difference, bring friendship, comfort, and connection to older people who may be isolated or lonely — your time and kindness can truly change lives. Develop valuable skills, gain experience in communication, empathy, and active listening, as well as practical skills in community engagement and support. Boost confidence and wellbeing, enjoy the personal satisfaction and sense of purpose that comes from helping others. Connect with your community, meet like-minded volunteers, build lasting friendships, and feel more involved in your local area. Enhance your future opportunities, volunteering experience looks great on a CV, providing real-life examples of teamwork, reliability, and compassion.
How can you help CHEER?
Befriender: For a commitment of just one hour a week to visit an elderly person in their home for a cup of tea and chat, you can help put an end to isolation and loneliness.
Home Assessment volunteer: Could you help to combat loneliness and ensure that our clients receive the benefits they are entitled to? You will accompany a member of CHEER staff to carry out assessments for older people in their own homes.
Events volunteer: Our community events provide a welcome and much needed opportunity for older people to get out and socialise. You will be involved with helping out at ad hoc events and potentially driving clients to and from events.
Become a Trustee: Play an essential role in the success of our charity using your skills and experience to help set our strategic direction and ensure the good governance of the organisation.
Volunteer vacancies
Home Assessment Volunteers
Home Assessment Volunteers accompany a member of the CHEER staff while they carry out assessments (benefits and befriending) for people in their own homes.
We need volunteers with great communication skills who will enjoy working with the elderly. This role requires patience and the ability to ensure that clients feel at ease to speak about the difficulties they are encountering. You may be required to photograph documents so ability to use a smartphone and email is needed.
You need access to car as travel within Elmbridge will be required (mileage allowance available). Ideally, you will be available for a minimum of either 2 Tuesdays or Wednesdays per month, between 10am and 2.30pm. CHEER will arrange a DBS check and safeguarding training for you.
For an informal discussion about the above post or an application form, please contact Charlotte via email on [email protected].
If this of interest, please complete a volunteer application form.
Befrienders
One of the important services that CHEER offers to our clients is the opportunity to have a regular home visit from a volunteer. A commitment of one hour a week to visit an elderly person in their home for a cup of tea and a chat can put an end to isolation and loneliness. Many of our volunteers build up a friendship that is rewarding and sees both parties benefiting from the experience.
You must have the ability to empathise with older people together with good listening skills.
If you think you might be interested in this role please contact one of our friendly team for an initial without commitment discussion.
Telephone: 07716 854838 or e-mail [email protected].
If this of interest, please complete a volunteer application form.
Trustee vacancies
Trustee
We are currently looking for Trustees who can bring extra skills and experience to our Board, together with commitment and enthusiasm.
As a Trustee you will be part of a small and friendly team who are collectively responsible for making decisions about the strategic direction of the charity and its activities. A Trustee would normally take the lead on a particular aspect of our responsibilities, and you will have opportunities to adapt, broaden and develop your skills.
This is a fascinating way for you to contribute to your local community. If you have the commitment and enthusiasm for the aims of the charity and a passion to make a difference to the lives of older people, this could be a great role for you.
We’d welcome contact from anyone interested in this opportunity especially those with experience in fundraising, business management, governance, legal and compliance matters, IT, marketing and communications, HR, finance and auditing and/or older people and social care.
For more information, please contact Lisa on 07899 905344 or [email protected].
Staff vacancies
Current vacancies
We are a small team of dedicated staff who are passionate about helping older people. Currently we have no staff vacancies. If you’re interested in joining us, why not look at our volunteer opportunities?”
Members and Friends
Our members and friends support our work by helping us to engage as fully as possible with the local community. They are invited to attend general meetings and other events, and members have the right to vote on the election of trustees and on other resolutions submitted to general meetings. There is no charge for being a member or friend.
You can email: [email protected] for more information.