OSJCT volunteers bring a range of skills, interests, and hobbies into our homes, sharing and enjoying them with our residents. 

Whatever your passion, we’re likely to have a resident that shares it.  So why not join our network of volunteers? We promise you’ll enjoy volunteering as much as residents do your visit.  But don’t take our word for it, hear first-hand what volunteering at OSJCT is like from some of our fantastic volunteers.

Lynn volunteers at Athelstan House, one of our Wiltshire homes. She has a passion and natural flair for crafting and runs a weekly resident knit and natter group with her volunteer colleague, Maureen. The results are incredible, from knitted poppies for remembrance displays, to creating tapestry panels to form a 1.5-mile blanket which was displayed at COP26. It’s always exciting to see what the groups next project will be. 

Lynn tells us how she became involved and what volunteering at OSJCT means to her.

“I had been visiting Athelstan House for several years supporting my mum and helping her to rediscover how she could still do so many of the crafts she loved, even though she had lost the use of her right side following a stroke. It quickly became apparent that other residents could also benefit from a bit of extra one to one encouragement and support like this.

“When mum was alive I had little spare time to offer as I worked full time but when I retired and sadly mum passed away, I felt that I could offer some of my time to volunteer and help. 

“My volunteer role is varied. I turn my hand to poetry and a touch of gardening but primarily I support the Activities Co-ordinators by providing craft-based activities such as the weekly knit and natter group. I love doing crafts and talking to people, so this enables me to do both, and I feel I have a real purpose.

“I initially volunteered for half a day per week, but I enjoyed it so much I now do a full day. I live a considerable distance from the home so it isn’t possible to visit more than this, but I do a lot of preparation work at home, researching how we can make certain crafts more suitable for the residents and their varying needs as well as researching new craft projects that we can enjoy together.

“One of my favourite memories of volunteering was seeing the joy on a partially sighted resident’s face when she saw her piece of her knitting transformed into a Pudsey Bear and then hearing the pride in her voice when staff came and congratulated her. Our knit and natter sessions are filled with laughter as residents share memories or just come out with comments we least expect.

“Volunteering at OSJCT has shown me how rewarding being part of the care sector can be. It has also reinforced that it can also be challenging at times. If a resident has a bad day, it can sometimes be hard to interact with them or calm them but when you do manage to turn the situation around, it feels like you’ve won the lottery. 

“I was surprised at the difference volunteers can make and how much we are made to feel part of the team by the staff. I was expecting to be more like a visitor but actually we’re part of the home team. I have a real sense of pride when residents tell us what a difference we make and how much they enjoy our visits, particularly during lockdown when residents missed their families. I am very proud to put on my volunteer t-shirt and have the opportunity to make a difference.

“Don’t be apprehensive about volunteering in a care home based on what you’ve heard in the media about Covid-19. I feel a great deal safer going into the home than I do walking down the high street or going into a shop. There are extensive precautions taken to protect us all.”

“I’d recommend volunteering at OSJCT, get in touch and find out how you can get involved in your local area."

Pictured above and below are just some of the projects which the Knit & Natter group, led by Lynn and fellow volunteer Maureen, have worked on.