Welcome all Contact and Connect Volunteers

Everyone in Cornwall is aware that our health and care system is under great pressure. But what can we do about it? Well, a group of over 50 charities, community groups and social enterprises have joined together to try and make a difference.

We have created a new collaboration which has communities at his heart through a network of community hubs, supported by a great new service called ‘Community Gateway’ – a kind of voluntary sector helpline, available from 8am – 8pm 7 days a week. We aim to work alongside our amazing colleagues in the NHS and Social Care to provide services to people that put them at the center and think about health, care and wellbeing in a different way.

If that sounds like something you might be interested in being part of then read on for details of our new Contact & Connect role…

Contact and Connect 

We are looking for brilliant people like you to support individuals through weekly welfare phone calls offering a listening ear, someone to talk to and a source of advice and support as they manage health conditions, loneliness or vulnerabilities.

Role description

We are looking for Contact and Connect volunteers who are empathetic, reliable, supportive, and a good listener. We hope you can engage with people in a structured way (training given) so that, working with other charities and community groups, we can help ensure that their care and support needs are met. We expect this to involve weekly phone calls over a period of time which may be between 6-12 weeks (variable) after which time we hope to be able to connect them with activities and support locally through the Community Hubs network. 

Volunteer Objectives: 

Your main focus as a Contact and Connect Volunteer will be:

• To increase the well-being of those you are calling.
• To help understand their current and future health and wellbeing needs and, through the Community Gateway, ensure they are connected to the right bit of the voluntary sector.
• To support the health and care system in Cornwall in its mission to provide a genuinely personalised service for everyone.

Volunteer Specification

Volunteers should:

• Be able to communicate well with other people and be a good listener.
• To be able to respect and maintain confidentiality.
• To comply with Volunteer Cornwall policies to ensure your own safety and peace of mind as well as that of the people you are supporting.

We will support you with each client and agree a course of action in the event you have any concerns about someone. This partnership is supported by a range of experienced voluntary organisations and has the active involvement of the NHS and Social Care so if we agree that clinical support is needed, we will ensure that it is provided and you will not be left to manage a complex case alone.

Support and Training 

All volunteers will be given a full induction to help them into the role and training is provided around safeguarding, confidentiality, health and safety as well as the ‘Guided Conversation’ model.

As well as general training, you will be able to access specialised training if you have a particular interest in certain areas or conditions, for example if you wanted to support people with dementia, mental health or cardiac issues. 

Wellbeing Mentors

All volunteers will be offered the option of a mentor to contact them once they have started their phone calls so that they can discuss any concerns – either for their own wellbeing or the people they are supporting.  

Safeguarding

VC will also be doing follow up calls to both you and the person you are befriending to ensure that you are both safe and happy with the arrangement.

If you have any concerns that may need reporting please follow Volunteer Cornwall’s processes.

Hints & Tips

• Always agree a time limit to the call.
• Prepare a few ideas before your chat.
• Add 141 before your call to keep your number safe.
• Do not feel that you need to talk – in this role, the main goal is to listen.  A quiet moment may just mean that the person needs to formulate an answer.

If you have any worries or concerns please please contact our team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 01872 266988.

Confidentiality

Information concerning clients, volunteers or staff is strictly confidential and must not be disclosed to unauthorised persons. This obligation shall continue in perpetuity.  

Disclosures of confidential information or disclosures of any data of a personal nature can result in prosecution for an offence under the Data Protection Act 1998, and GDPR 2018, or an action for civil damages under the same Act in addition to any disciplinary action taken by Volunteer Cornwall.

Your Contacts

Should you have any questions, have a change in circumstances or would like to withdraw from volunteering, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

What Happens Next?

We will contact you as and when a request comes through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or by phone on 01872 266988. 

We will phone you with the name and phone number and arrange the first phone call, then ask that you arrange the following call times between you.   Please let us know about the first call and confirm that you wish to continue.

 

 

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