Worthing-based charity Guild Care is looking for volunteers

Guild Care is a local charity that has been making a difference to the lives of the people of Worthing and its surrounding areas since it was first established by a small team of volunteers in 1933. Today, the charity runs three care homes and community services that, before the pandemic, annually helped more than 3,000 people of all ages. This work could not be completed without the support of the charity’s amazing volunteers.

Guild Care is always on the lookout for people to join its volunteering team but is currently in particular need of charity shop assistants, administration assistants and minibus drivers.

With the start of the new academic year, Guild Care has had to say goodbye to many of its student charity shop volunteers, as they return to their full-time studies. For this reason, the charity is currently on the lookout for people who would like to volunteer in its shops.

Guild Care currently has 11 charity shops, including 10 locations in Worthing and a charity superstore in Littlehampton. Funds raised in the shops are put towards the charity’s community services. Shop volunteers decide how much time they give and what days best suit them. No previous experience is necessary, just a willingness to help other people.

The charity is also recruiting for a new office-based volunteer role that will help its home care service. This service, which is rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission, was established in 1994 to promote independent living. It enables older people and vulnerable adults in and around Worthing to lead better quality lives while remaining safe and comfortable in their own homes and has been a vital lifeline for many during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Home care administration assistants will provide administrative support for the service, as well as helping the public through customer service. Volunteers in this role need to be at least 18 years old and bring a positive and courteous manner.

Finally, the charity is also currently on the lookout for volunteer drivers. The drivers are provided with full training and ongoing support, with no minibus driving experience needed - you just need to be a confident driver. Although, due to the terms of Guild Care’s insurance, drivers need to be aged between 22 and 70 years old and should have held a driving licence for at least two years.

Ric has been volunteering as a Guild Care minibus driver for 11 years after being recommended to join by a friend. He said: “I enjoy the fact that we meet such lovely people, we have some wonderful members, they’ve got a great sense of humour.

“I also enjoy the driving and volunteering fits around my life really nicely. So, when I can’t drive, I just let them know and they’ll find somebody else. We all work as a great team together.”

Mark Phillips, Guild Care’s volunteer co-ordinator, said: “We are so very lucky to have our brilliant volunteer drivers who make our community transport service possible, which is why we are looking for more drivers to join the team and help us to continue to connect people to our vital services. You do not have to have lots of spare time, even a few hours a week will make a real difference.”

If you are interested in volunteering in one of these roles or would like to find out more, please email [email protected] or visit www.guildcare.org/volunteer-for-guild-care

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