About Volunteering

There are several ways in which you can volunteer a little of your time to help AJR members.

Every intending volunteer is invited to an interview with AJR's Volunteer Services Co-ordinator and their particular skills and aptitudes are then matched to those of an AJR member, taking into account needs, shared interests and time available.

Individual Befriending

Many elderly AJR members, though still living in their own homes, are frail and often isolated. Some have few or no surviving family and can find themselves to be very lonely indeed. A befriender, who can make regular visits, be someone to talk to and possibly go on walks with in fair weather, would be very welcome. Currently, befrienders visit between 1-3hrs weekly, fortnightly, or even monthly.

Befriending invariably proves to be an extremely rewarding activity. If you think this is something for which you believe that you possess the necessary qualities, please click the application form. (If you don't have a sufficiently regular slot free, please read about hospital visits).

Reading AJR Magazine onto tape

AJR Journal, published monthly, remains of great interest to all our members as it has over more than 60 years. In response to an increasing number of members developing poorer eyesight, a team of volunteers undertakes to provide the option of a recorded version on tape, delivered to each registered recipient directly through the post.

Volunteer readers require clear diction and some knowledge of German is helpful. Three readers are called to record each edition, on average once every few months. Recording sessions are held at a studio in London N16 on every first Tuesday of the month. If you can offer help, please click here for the Volunteers application form. [needs doing]

Transporting Members to the Community Centre

Members who can no longer travel on public transport from their own homes to spend the day at the AJR's Day Centre in West Hampstead, London NW6, are reliant on the generosity of others for transport. Volunteer drivers are needed to drive them to the centre in the morning and to take them back home later in the afternoon. If you are a car driver and believe that you may be able to offer regular help, please click here for the Volunteers application form.

Hospital Visiting

Usually active AJR members, who could well find themselves temporarily in hospital for treatment, may be in need of company and visits during their stay. If you would like to offer your time and companionship to members in hospital, please click here for the Volunteers application form.

Hospital Outpatient Escort

Some of our members have to attend regular hospital appointments and, due to their age and frailty, would benefit from a friendly escort; someone to help them find their way to the correct area and then to return safely. As this area of volunteering experience is irregular, you would only be called as and when needed. If you think that you would be interested helping in this way, please click here for the Volunteers application form.

Day Centre

At our Day Centre in West Hampstead volunteers help in any number of ways to create its warm atmosphere and maintain its efficient operation. Among their many duties are serving light meals, clearing up, assisting members around the building and working as members of the Day Centre team at whatever is required.

Please see Day Centre sections for the opening hours, and if you would like to help out, please click here for the Volunteers application form.

Office

Various office-based tasks arise throughout the year, such as answering phones, sorting through paperwork, sealing envelopes and taking bookings. From time to time the AJR also needs volunteers to help members complete forms relating to German pensions and compensation claims. Currently there re regular helpers, as well as others who help as and when required. If you think this would be of interest to you, please click here for the Volunteers application form.

Volunteer Support and Events

The AJR provides support for all its volunteers in a number of ways to ensure that they have the best possible information and training to assist them in their tasks.

• A quarterly Newsletter welcomes new volunteers, reports on activities, gives information on future events and keeps AJR volunteers regularly informed on all the latest volunteering news.
• Every 6 weeks a volunteer Befriender Support Group meeting is held. The date, time and venue of these groups vary as much as possible to give equal opportunities for each volunteer to attend.
• Training sessions are offered throughout the year and cover relevant volunteering topics, such as 'Effective Listening Skills' and 'Dealing with Depression'.
• Regular support is available for volunteers, from the Volunteer Services Co-ordinator, both on the telephone and in person.
• The AJR will reimburse volunteer's travel costs at the current rate per mile for car journeys and also any bus or train fares against the tickets or receipts.
• An annual 'Thank You' party with entertainment and a high tea, is held for all the volunteers as a token of the AJR's gratitude for all their generosity, hard work and human understanding.

Thank you all for the continuing support and volunteer time you give to the AJR and their members; it is greatly appreciated.