Volunteering
Working with over 200 volunteers a year, the overall objective of the volunteer programme is to support and celebrate the lives of residents: promoting well-being and independence, raising horizons and enriching the lives of our residents and communities.
Nurturing Relationships
When you volunteer at the St Monica Trust, your focus will be on building relationships with our residents and older people living in Bristol. We know that our volunteers bring a range of skills that enrich life both within and outside our communities. That’s why we’re keen to hear from you.
Ways to volunteer
From lending a hand at a coffee morning, to sharing your love of gardening, there’s plenty of ways to get involved. You might like to support regular activities in one of our care homes, or help out at special events in our retirement villages.
Why volunteer?
Volunteering can be a life changing experience, giving you the opportunity to:
- Be active and involved in your local community
- Make new friends and experience working with older people
- Learn something new about yourself
- Do something you’re good at
- Increase, improve and maintain your skills
- Make a real difference
We place a high value on the enrichment that our volunteers bring to what we do and we welcome volunteers from all backgrounds. This is why we pay travel expenses and make sure you’re supported by experienced staff. You'll also receive a proper induction, have access to other training opportunities and attend staff events like the annual Family Fun Day.
Become a Volunteer
Explore your options
The first step to becoming a volunteer is an informal chat. We’ll talk you through our current opportunities and find out what is of interest to you. You’ll be asked to fill out an application form and be invited to visit the Trust to find out more.
We look at your skills, interests, motivations and personal circumstances to ensure that we closely match this with the potential benefits to our residents and the older people we work with.
Volunteering in our retirement villages
For an informal chat about volunteering at the Trust, please call 07817 633 011 or email volunteering@stmonicatrust.org.uk.
The legal bit
Because our volunteers work in a position of trust with older people, we always take up references and carry out a criminal records check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Having a criminal record will not automatically prevent you from volunteering at the Trust. In such situations, decisions about suitability are made on a case by case basis.