Volunteers
The impact and value of volunteers in care homes
Samantha Ward OBE, deputy CEO of Royal Voluntary Service, explains how volunteering in care home environments can enhance the care experience for residents and staff
The care and support sector is facing new challenges following the pandemic and amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis, which is putting additional pressure on care homes. In the face of these challenges, resources which support employee wellbeing and improve the experience of care for residents are more valuable than ever.
One resource care homes are utilising to address and reduce these pressures is volunteer services. Although volunteers are not a solution to workplace shortages, volunteers can play a fundamental role in supporting the care sector and positively contribute to enhancing the wellbeing of staff and residents. To explore the impact and value
of volunteers in care homes, Royal Voluntary Service, in partnership with Anchor, England’s largest not for profit provider of housing and care for older people, undertook research exploring the contribution of volunteering in adult social care, focusing on care home environments. Data collected from both the UK public and care home staff from Anchor identified that well-designed volunteer roles can have significant benefits for residents, their families, and staff. For social care staff, the benefits of working with volunteers included increased morale and job satisfaction, as well as reduced levels of work stress. Overwhelmingly, care home staff felt that
volunteers add ‘a lot of value’ for residents (94 per cent) and staff (85 per cent). For residents, benefits included improved mood and cognitive function, and perceived
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improvements in the quality of care. The value of volunteers in the care sector
has recently, and more formally, been recognised by both the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, with the expansion of the Volunteer Responders programme in to adult social care.
Welcoming volunteers For over 10 years, Anchor has welcomed volunteers. Anchor has seen firsthand the difference that effective volunteering programmes can make to residents and colleagues. Care colleagues at Anchor will be utilising the NHS and Care Volunteer Responders programme to support the health and mental wellbeing of care recipients. Anchor CEO Sarah Jones said: “Social care is highly skilled and specialised and can provide enormous job satisfaction for those working in the sector. In addition to the service our colleagues provide,
Volunteers can play a fundamental role in supporting the care sector
volunteers in our care homes play an important role in helping older people live fulfilling lives. Crucially, for a sector facing workforce challenges, we have a number of colleagues who began their careers with us as volunteers.
“We are encouraged by the expansion of the NHS and Care Volunteer Responders programme into adult social care, and we hope people feel inspired by the many opportunities available. Giving a little time can make a life-changing difference – for residents, colleagues and volunteers.” Care home colleagues can arrange for residents to receive free, practical support from NHS and Care Volunteer Responders. Delivered by Royal Voluntary Service and the GoodSAM app, the programme is free, flexible, and easy-to-use. It is providing health and care providers with a pool of available volunteers that can be accessed quickly and easily. There are at present some 30,000 volunteers standing by to boost capacity in health and care this winter and support some of the country’s most vulnerable people. Volunteers are available to support with
a range of services. They offer friendly telephone support to help with the emotional
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com February 2024
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