Bield on the hunt for West Lothian and Perth volunteers

Silver SurferBield is looking for several volunteers to support tenants by increasing their community involvement and helping to reduce isolation.

Mansewood Court Retirement Housing Development in Whitburn, West Lothian, is looking to recruit a befriender to get to know and socialise with tenants, helping to broaden their horizons, as well as two social activity coordinators.

Social activity assistant are also being sought to help organise weekly bingo sessions (Monday afternoon) at Bield’s Quayside Court Very Sheltered Housing Development in Perth.

Social activity coordinators work in a group setting with tenants and are vital to ensuring the smooth running of organised social events. From coffee mornings and lunch clubs, to games afternoons and gardening clubs, these events enable tenants to socialise regularly and provide entertainment all year round.

Mansewood are looking to expand their social program and need extra help. Bield is looking for a volunteer to come in once a week on any day, Monday to Friday from 1:30pm to 3:00pm.

Another coordinator would help service users plan a seasonal gardening programme and help in assisting with light gardening duties. They would be required once a week although days and times are flexible.

Lynn McQueen, development manager at Mansewood Court, said: “The social activities program was introduced so that our tenants could enjoy socialising in the development as well as within the community around them.

“It gives them a chance to go to coffee mornings and various gatherings throughout the year; it really helps brighten up their days.

“It fits in brilliantly with our ‘Free to Be’ ethos, supporting older people to make their own decisions about how they live their day to day lives.”

Bield is also looking for a female befriender to visit one of its service users on a weekly basis for a bit of a chat over a cup of tea and an interest in crosswords and dominoes is a definite bonus.

Lynn added: “We really do appreciate the huge impact our befrienders make on the quality of life of tenants in Bield housing and the added social benefits they bring.”

The roles in Perth allow opportunities for social interaction for the tenants within the development and the wider community.

Raymond Scott, manager at Quayside Court, said: “Social activity assistants play a vital role in helping the tenants engage with one another.

“Organising events from coffee mornings to bingo nights, we like to involve the tenants at every stage with the emphasis on having fun.”

Enquiries are welcome from all people over the age of 16 but applicants should be aware not all applications will be successful. Bield are asking for a minimum of a six month commitment and full training and support will be given as well as out-of-pocket expenses.

For more information please call Raymond Scott (Quayside) on 01738 622 189 or Nora Toolan (Gladstone Court) on 01738 634 222 or visit our website jobs.bield.co.uk to complete the online application form.

Alternatively you can contact Lynn McQueen on 01501 743 253 or email Donna Dickson on d.dickson@bield.co.uk for further information.

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