Volunteering
The Evergreen Care Trust would not be where it is today if it was not for its many volunteers, who are all very generous to offer their time to support our local community. Our volunteers either come to us with time to offer or a particular skill that is so valuable to the everyday running of the charity.
This is where you can help...the Lighthouse project can only support the Evergreen Care Trust grow from strength to strength and help even more people in our community with your help. So if you have a business and would like to get involved, check out the exciting volunteering opportunities below and get in touch today.
Befriending
Befriending is a key part of the Evergreen Care Trust and currently benefits 60+ members.
A Befriender’s role aims to reduce loneliness and isolation by visiting an Evergreen member once a week, perhaps for a cuppa and chat, a game of scrabble or little outing. The Evergreen Befriending project manager will go to great lengths to make sure that anyone in need of a Befriender is suitably matched to a fully trained volunteer.
Now in its 11th year this service is hugely successful and a model that is currently in the process of being rolled out by other charities and Evergreen satellites.
Hand & Nail Pamper Treatment
Volunteers are trained by New College Stamford in basic hand massage and manicure techniques and provide a free pamper session for patients, both male and female. This is a wonderful service which also provides company, fun and vital human touch.
Venue: John Van Geest Unit, Stamford Hospital; Whitefriars Care Home, Hillary Close; Essex Road and Emlyn’s Gardens accommodations.
Training and Development
The Evergreen Care Trust holds 4 training sessions a year, covering eight modules; Dignity, Communication, Loneliness & Isolation, Integrated working, Report Writing, Confidentiality, Health Safety and Safeguarding. On completion of the course each participant will receive a Lincolnshire Volunteer Card which can be used within any charity in Lincolnshire. In addition they will receive an Evergreen Care certificate.
This course is FREE OF CHARGE and open to anyone who wishes to take part.
Evergreen Friendship Lunches
A great opportunity for Evergreen members to meet and enjoy a delicious home cooked 3 course meal. Evergreen employ a team of cooks and recruit volunteers to enable a smooth running service.
Venue: Lunches are currently held in three venues in Stamford six times a week and are very well attended.
Hot & Wholesome
This wonderful service that provides delicious freshly made homemade soup and baking delivered from kitchen to table by volunteers.
The volunteers will set the table, have a little chat with the recipient and make sure that they are safe, as well as can be expected and comfortable. Any concerns will be reported and relevant support will be given.
Clean Team
There are occasions when someone’s home becomes too much to manage and they need a major spring clean. Evergreen provide an amazing team of trained volunteers to transform a home and provide a wonderful new start for a member of Evergreen. This is a truly incredible service and worth every hour it takes to make such a huge difference to someone whose life has become muddled and at times very lonely.
Advocacy
Evergreen currently has over 100 cases on their books. The advocacy project manager co-ordinates a team of volunteer advocates, who methodically address issues that range from accessing information, form filling, benefit/Blue Badge application to one off telephone calls to statutory bodies. It’s a priceless service that helps give peace of mind and vital support.
Furniture Store
The Evergreen Care Trust operates a furniture store where quality donated furniture and household items are available for those who may have need. This service is reliant on donations and items that are surplus to requirement but which still have life and are safe to use.
Hospital to Home
Ideal for members who do not have family or friends nearby, to enable them to get from hospital discharge to home. The volunteers will do all they can to make the homecoming as pleasant an experience as possible.
Volunteers will collect an Evergreen member from the ward and transport them home. After a cuppa and a chat they will offer assistance to turn the heating on, unpack any bags, do any laundry or shopping, air the home, make sure the bed is made and the home is clean and tidy and action an Evergreen support check list, ensuring that as much support as possible is being offered.
The volunteer will visit again the following day to make sure that the member is as comfortable as possible and talk through any further support they may need.
Hospital to Home - Meet & Greet
If a member requires an ambulance transfer from hospital to home, a volunteer will meet and greet the member from the ambulance and take them into their home.
After a cuppa and a chat they will offer assistance to turn the heating on, unpack any bags, do any laundry or shopping, air the home, make sure the bed is made and the home is clean and tidy and action an Evergreen support check list, ensuring that as much support as possible is being offered.
The volunteer will visit again the following day to make sure that the member is as comfortable as possible and talk through any further support they may need.
Chaplaincy
For those moments when someone needs a compassionate, non-judgemental, listening ear. Evergreen Chaplaincy team provide a confidential service working with people of faith, little or no faith and also link with multi-faith colleagues.