Safer Ageing Volunteer

Hourglass NI is part of the well-established UK-wide charity, Hourglass (formerly Action on Elder Abuse), the only

UK-wide charity dedicated to calling time on the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people. We’re dedicated to promoting safer ageing and a fairer society for all older people; delivering a range of support services from prevention and early intervention, right through to direct support and recovery.

Hourglass are enhancing our community-led services to provide a range of support to help those who have experienced abuse or exploitation, as well as any older person who may be at risk. We’re therefore recruiting a team of volunteers to help us deliver frontline support to older people and others – can you help?

Safer Ageing Volunteers may carry out the following roles:

• Promoting the work of Hourglass Northern Ireland & raising awareness of issues around safer ageing and abuse of older people
• Making regular Safer Ageing phone calls or visits to older people.
• Acting as an advocate on behalf of an older person
• Providing casework support to older people (or others) concerned about the abuse of older people and/or safer ageing, e.g. making calls or referrals to other agencies, providing information and advice, researching support options etc.

Skills and qualifications

• Ideally looking for someone with relatable & professional experience such as, but not limited to, those from a care, finance, education, legal, HR, engineering or professional services background
• demonstrate commitment to Hourglass’s ethos of “Safer Ageing, Stopping Abuse”.
• demonstrate an understanding of the experiences of and issues affecting older people
• are reliable and able to commit to the agreed hours, as well as initial training
• display patience, sensitivity, and resilience
• can maintain confidentiality and deal appropriately with sensitive issues
• have the ability to listen patiently and constructively, and provide advice and guidance in a non-judgemental manner
• can recognise and work within personal and organisational boundaries

Full training and support will be given as appropriate, with further opportunities for learning and development. We will cover all out-of-pocket expenses, and arrange regular support meetings with other volunteers and staff.

Benefits to the volunteer

ur volunteers will join a dynamic organisation, helping us shape our work to empower older people to experience safer ageing. Benefits include:

• access to a range of training courses and events
• one-to-one support, and support/networking with other volunteers
• building a network of friends and contacts in your local community
• give your time, talents and skills for the benefit of vulnerable older people & their families