Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association has launched a brand new volunteering service to combat social exclusion among their residents, an issue that disproportionately affects older people.

As a not-for-profit provider of quality housing for older people in Scotland, employing over 500 staff in more than 200 housing developments, the new volunteering service aims to make a positive difference to Hanover’s customers’ lives as well as the wider community.

The framework will encourage Hanover residents to volunteer in their developments and local communities, as well as empower Hanover staff to establish high quality, customer focused volunteering opportunities.

Delivered by a newly appointed volunteer coordinator, the framework will also promote the take up of volunteering within developments from local communities and third sector organisations.

Since taking up the new role, Edinburgh-born Jim Brown has carried out in depth analysis of Hanover’s current volunteering capacity and the range of social activities residents participate in. Over the next few months Jim will meet with staff and residents to consult in the development of the new framework, ensuring it meets the needs, requirements and abilities of those who will benefit most from it.

On his new role, Hanover’s volunteer coordinator Jim Brown said:“I am delighted to have been selected as volunteer coordinator for an organisation that really cares about its residents, employees and the communities it is part of. I am very much looking forward to getting out to our developments across Scotland to meet with residents and staff and encouraging them to volunteer and become more socially active.

“I have volunteered throughout my life, as a befriender for an adult with learning difficulties as well as managing a youth football team, so I fully understand and appreciate the benefits volunteering brings to everyone involved.”

Hanover’s chief executive, Helen Murdoch, said: “Customer service is at the heart of what we do. It is our priority to help all our residents lead rich and fulfilling lives and we are confident that by encouraging residents, local communities and third sector organisations to take up volunteering, that we will see a hugely positive social impact on the lives of everyone involved.”