Due to an increase in demand, we urgently require volunteer drivers across the whole of the Harrogate District.

Role: Volunteer Driver

Could you help someone to get out and about?

(Film shared with kind permission from Mashamshire Community Office)

This flexible volunteering opportunity is perfect for volunteers who want to offer practical help at times to suit them. Our volunteer car drivers provide a vital transport service to help people unable to use public transport due to mobility or location to make journeys to medical appointments, day centres, lunch clubs, shops, bank, post office, visits to relatives, hairdressers and other social visits.

You will need to be over 18, have access to your own vehicle, have no more than three points on your licence, and be subject to DBS checks and references. In return you receive the satisfaction of helping local people get out and about, the opportunity to meet new people and the chance to see more of our beautiful district. You will be reimbursed directly by the client for your expenses.

Driving Force is our transport service for Harrogate, Knaresborough and the surrounding villages. Our Ripon & Rural Car Driving Service covers Ripon, Masham, Pateley Bridge and surrounding rural areas.

Enquire here

Role: Volunteer Befriender

Do you like meeting people? Do you have a good listening ear?

We are looking for caring, empathetic people to become volunteer befrienders to over 65s living in and round Ripon. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to people living locally by providing them with much-needed social contact. As volunteer befriender you will:

  • Visit clients regularly in their own homes for a catch up over a cuppa
  • Be a friendly familiar face and provide company for people who struggle to get out and about
  • Provide moral support when they might be at a low ebb
  • Be matched with a client, based on your mutual interests

Volunteers should ideally be drivers with access to their own vehicles as this role involves travelling to visit people in their own homes. Volunteers who are good listeners and enjoy the company of older people will be ideal for this role.

Enquire here 

Role: Volunteer to provide company and assistance at social groups

We organise a range of craft and social groups to help our clients remain connected with their communities. At our groups, there is plenty of opportunity to participate, chat, meet new people and have a giggle.  We are in need of volunteers to help out at our groups. Typically, you would help meet and greet clients, lend a listening ear and help out with activities. This is a very rewarding role and can be done flexibly to fit in with existing commitments.

Volunteers, particularly car drivers, are needed to support these outings, which provide a lifeline for many of our service users. You will need to be over 18, have access to your own vehicle and be subject to DBS checks and references. In return, you receive the satisfaction of helping local people get out and about, the opportunity to meet new people and the chance to see more of our beautiful District.

“Doing something as simple as going into town or going to a garden centre, that I take for granted, can bring so much pleasure to someone.”

Enquire here 

Role: Teams to help out with gardening and decorating

Are you a group of colleagues or friends who would like to make a difference to local people?  

We are always in need to lots of spare pairs of hands to help out with larger Help at Home jobs, which are too big for our small team to tackle on their own. Typically this might be clearing , weeding or tidying up a garden or lending a hand with painting. This is usually a one-off opportunity either for a day or half day and can be arranged around times to suit you. You would receive full supervision and guidance from a Help at Home Support Worker. Brilliant for team building, no previous experience is necessary, just a willingness to get involved. We have a long list of jobs waiting for us, so please spare a few hours if you can.

“It’s a pleasure to look out at a tidy garden. All the volunteers are very nice and helpful.”

Enquire here