Volunteer Shop Assistant (Adderbury, Oxfordshire)

Our volunteer Shop Assistants are usually found in the heart of our homes helping our residents and their families enjoy all the home has to offer.

The shops in our homes come in lots of different forms. In some they are a mini supermarket where people can drop by and pick up their essentials and in others our shops are stocked with memory joggers; old packaging and products to help people remember the good old days. In some homes our shops are open to the local community selling the produce from our gardens and even eggs from our chickens! And in some homes our shop is mobile, going to the residents in their rooms on a trolley.

Whatever form our shop takes, it’s always a destination. For some people going out can be a challenge. Having a shop in the home gives them a place to go and creates a ‘little village’ atmosphere along with the hairdressing salon and themed spaces. Our Shop Assistants play a vital role in making the shop ‘the place to be’, helping our residents to get the most from their visit whether that’s treats for the grandchildren or a chat about their childhood.

Our Shop Assistants are usually responsible for taking money and ensuring that everything is accounted for. They are also involved in making lists of what’s needed and making sure the shop always looks its best.

You’ll build up relationships with people so ideally, we’d like a regular, longer term commitment of a couple of hours a week. Days and times are flexible; talk to us and we’ll see what suits us both.

Role Boundaries The following boundaries apply to all volunteer roles at the Trust: • All volunteers over 16 years old will require DBS clearance (Criminal Records check) and the Trust will cover the cost. • Volunteers aged between 14 and 16 years old can’t go into residents’ rooms on their own. • There are certain things only carers can do. Volunteers can’t provide personal care for residents. This involves help with dressing, visiting the toilet or eating. • Volunteers can’t support residents in moving, rising or sitting or move residents in wheelchairs until they have completed mandatory moving and handling and wheelchair training. • Volunteers must not hoist a resident • Volunteers should not attempt to give first aid unless qualified to do so. • Volunteers can’t transport residents in their own car. • Volunteers should not give or accept gifts to or from residents, relatives or employees. All gifts offered should be declared to the Home Manager. • Our communications team are responsible for all our media postings. Volunteers should not contact or speak to the media unless asked to by their manager nor should they post anything on social networking sites. • Volunteers should ask their manager before making any decision outside the scope of their role that could affect OSJCT, residents, employees or other volunteers. • Volunteers are not expected to handle complaints or safeguarding issues. They should talk to their manager in the first instance.