Andrew, Jean, Margaret and Arthur (pictured clockwise from top left) are among the busy residents at Whitefriars care home in Stamford who are choosing to take on volunteer resident roles in the home.

Home Manager, Shelly Smith, has introduced a new initiative where residents can apply for defined house roles, and then assist employees with the smooth running of the care home. Roles include ‘Resident Volunteer Gardening Assistant’ and ‘Resident Volunteer Kitchen Assistant.’ Each role has been described on an ‘opportunity board’ and residents fill out an ‘application form’ setting out their skills and experience for their chosen role.

Shelly explained: “I came up with this idea as a way to empower our residents and involve them in their home. It has been met with plenty of enthusiasm by residents.

“Our residents all have wonderful skills and experience from their working lives or running their own family home. By facilitating the opportunity to take on easy tasks, which fall within their capabilities, they feel empowered and purposeful. It really contributes to that feeling of a family home.”

Residents who want to take on one of a range of Resident Volunteer roles will be invited to take on light duties related to their area of interest. They will be supported with their tasks by care home employees and given training if suitable.

Residents who are taking part in the scheme include:

Andrew, 81-years-old, who wants to be a Resident Volunteer Gardening Assistant. He said: “I like to keep busy, and I enjoy working in the garden at Whitefriars.” Andrew moved into the home in December 2021. He added that what he likes most at the home is “the company here and the monthly gentleman’s club.”

Arthur is 93-years-old and moved to Whitefriars last year. He would like to be a Resident Volunteer Fire Marshall Assistant. As a young man he was a cook in the RAF for his national service. He is organised and enjoys helping people. He wants to take on this role so that he would be prepared to save lives in the event of a fire, and as the role will help him to keep alert and active.

Arthur said that he finds the home is "well run and organised, and employees are very helpful". He enjoys activities such as competitions and entertainers coming into the home.

Jean, who is 88-years-old, moved to Whitefriars in April 2021. She is keen on taking up a Resident Volunteer Kitchen Assistant role as she enjoyed looking after her own home before moving into the care home in April 2021. Jean said: “I like living at Whitefriars as I like the company of others and joining in with activities.”

Margaret is 82-years-old and has been a resident at Whitefriars for 3 years. She is keen on becoming a Resident Volunteer Senior Clerk. This would suit Margaret as she is naturally methodical and worked with documents and paperwork during her career, which included working in a bank and a supermarket. Margaret is an avid reader and said that her favourite place at Whitefriars is Fern Lounge which has lots of books.

Jackie, who is 80-years-old, has been at Whitefriars for two years. She would like to become a Resident Volunteer Laundry Assistant. Jackie said: “This scheme is a good idea. I like to help and feel useful.”

Ninety-year-old Joyce moved into Whitefriars in Spring 2022. She is applying to become a Resident Volunteer Administrator and Receptionist. Joyce is keen to help out at Whitefriars and "give something back". She has a compassionate and calm nature. Joyce is well organised and is used to solving problems. Joyce has gained skills and experience during a varied career, which included working at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) for 10 years, running shows and concerts and managing a sweetshop. Joyce is a very sociable member of Whitefriars, and she enjoys making friends. She is a keen member of the Knit and Natter group.

Alan, who is 78-years-old, moved into Whitefriars in 2021. He enjoys organising and keeping things right, so he is applying for the Resident Volunteer Manager’s Assistant. Alan is keen to contribute to home life by assisting Home Manager Shelly. Alan is very sociable and thinks he has some good ideas that will assist the staff team, and residents too.

Frank who moved in to Whitefriars last year would like to be a Resident Volunteer Gardening Assistant. The 81-year-old enjoys being outdoors. He said: “Flowers bring smiles to peoples’ faces and it is lovely to grow plants and see them develop.” Frank will help the home to cultivate gardening plots and spaces to be entered into this year’s Trust in Bloom competition.

Ninety-year-old Jeanette has been at Whitefriars for one year. She enjoys housekeeping and tidying around the home and is drawn to the Resident Volunteer Assistant Housekeeper role. Jeanette enjoys socialising and has many friends at Whitefriars. She would like to assist in general tasks around the home, such as polishing, helping to lay tables or a spot of cleaning.

Jeanette’s previous experience includes working for the council in an administrative role, and at a doctor’s surgery. She also ran a home for her family and feels she has the capabilities to assist at the home and help the team to keep things "ship shape".

Rosie moved into the home in spring 2022. This sociable and chatty 76-year-old used to work in Woolworths. She enjoys any type of shop work as well as organising goods and shopping, so Rosie would like to become a Resident Volunteer Shop Assistant. Rosie is keen to contribute to running the care home. The shop helps people who are bedbound and less mobile by letting them do their shopping in the comfort of their own room. Rosie loves interaction with others and is an excellent communicator.

Violet has been at Whitefriars for a year. She likes to have regular tasks in the homes. The 94-year-old needs some assistance as she is partially sighted but enjoys having a purpose. She would like to become a Resident Volunteer Shop Assistant. This role would suit Violet as she has previously worked in a shop and a hospital.

Eighty-seven-year-old Maisie who moved to Whitefriars in 2019 enjoys helping and making people smile. She would like to take on the Resident Volunteer Laundry Assistant role. Maisie is a very caring person and likes everyone to have clean clothes that are well laundered and folded. She worked for a girl’s grammar school for many years and also volunteered in India to help children to get fresh water. She has a warm and comforting nature.

Maisie enjoys the social side of living at Whitefriars. She rarely spends time in her room and enjoys activities and quizzes in the lounges. Maisie also loves being outside in the garden as it reminds her of her countryside upbringing.

Sheila, who is 92-years-old, would like to be a Resident Volunteer Kitchen Assistant. She loves to cook and ice cakes. Sheila said: “It is lovely to see people eat food that you prepared, whether it be family or residents or friends.”

Sheila has many skills and experience to bring to this role after many years running a family home, where she enjoyed baking for her family and friends and hosting dinner parties with her husband.

Kath who has been at Whitefriars for six years would like to be a Resident Volunteer Housekeeper. Eighty-seven-year-old Kath enjoys helping around the home, she has had a cleaning basket for the last two years which she uses to help out with easy cleaning tasks. Kath said: “I worked as a cleaner when my children started school and have always enjoyed keeping my home neat and tidy. Whitefriars is happy home and I get on with the staff, I love it when we have sing songs.”

Residents who apply for a role have an informal discussion with the Home Manager to discuss how they would like to volunteer and what tasks they would like to do around the home. They will be fully supported in their new Resident Volunteer roles.