Walking With ConfidenceVOLUNTEER ROLE DESCRIPTION

Role Purpose:To support and empower an older person to get out and about and therefore attend activities or join in their communitiesand reduce isolation.

Supported by:Walking with Confidence Coordinator

Overview: Walking with Confidence is a lottery funded project to reduce social isolation amongst older people who have lots their confidence in getting out, walking, using transport etc. Volunteers will work with a client for a few months to help them achieve their goals, such as using public transport, attending local social groups etc.

Tasks & Responsibilities:

  • After a referral from a case worker, attend a first meeting, on a one to one basis, possibly in the client’s home.
  • Supportthe client to overcome any barriers to improving their health and wellbeing, particularly walking.
  • Encourage and motivate the client to be more physically active, or to engage socially or take other steps to improve their health and wellbeing.
  • Discussing with the person what activities they might like to try.
  • Introduce the client to activities or groups they might not have tried before, but would like to.
  • Arranging to attend activities with the person you are supporting using the mode of transport they will use after you withdraw support.
  • Attending activities with the person you are supporting.
  • Contributing to the collection of information about how the project runs.
  • Refers all information and advice enquiries to the Case worker to be forwarded to the relevant member of staff.
  • Provide a brief summary of each meeting with the client to the Case worker by email.
  • Attend 1:1 sessions with the supporting Case worker

Skills, Experience and Qualities:

  • Good listening and communication skills essential.
  • Patience and tact.
  • A caring, sympathetic, sensitive manner and a non-judgemental approach.
  • Willingness and confidence to work without direct supervision, on your own in the community. Previous experience of working on your own out in the community and with minimal supervision would be helpful.
  • Reliable/dependable/flexible.
  • Understanding of confidentiality (working with Age UK Leeds policies and procedures).
  • Commitment to understanding the needs of older people.
  • Have a positive outlook and be enthusiastic.
  • Willingness to help raise self esteem/confidence through a positive relationship based on encouragements, tasks and achievements.

When and Where:

Flexible depending on the needs of the client, but will range from 1-3 hours per visit. Visits could take place weekly for up to 12weeks for confidence building, or could be on a one-off basis.Because of the nature of the activities people want to do, most volunteering will take place during the working day, as that is when the activities are held. Volunteering takes place across Leeds, in people’s homes or out in the community.

Age UK Leeds Commitment:

Volunteers will benefit from the experience of working with older people living with long term medical conditions..

All Age UK Leeds volunteers are offered a full induction. Volunteers also have access to training, informal supervision, briefings and opportunities to participate in social events.

Age UK Leeds will provide specific training on Safeguarding, Professional Boundaries and anything relevant to the role.

All agreed out of pocket expenses such as travel costs will be met by Age UK Leeds.

We offer:

  • full support and training (including walk training)
  • work experience
  • opportunity to develop new skills and interests
  • chance to meet new people
  • an opportunity to contribute to and be part of an established organisation specialising in the knowledge and understanding of the older people of Leeds

We would ideally like volunteers to try to commit to 6 months because you will be building relationships with older people. A full DBS will be completed and references received before commencement

For more information please contact: Adie Nivison, 0113 389 3012,

To apply for this role: please complete a volunteer application form, available to download from the volunteering page of the Age UK Leeds website or by emailing