Age Concern Norfolk is challenging people in rural communities across Norfolk to take part in their “Help an Older Person in Your Community” Challenge.
We all lead busy lives but could you spare a couple of hours out of your week to support somebody with a simple everyday task, such as sorting through bills and arranging payment or speaking up on behalf of somebody who may find it difficult to have their voice heard?  Perhaps you are newly retired, looking to gain confidence to return to work or simply would like to give something back to your community outside of your working week.  Read on to find out more…
The Life of a Volunteer
My name is Marion and I am a Volunteer with Age Concern Norfolk.  I am a Money Matters Volunteer and have been doing this for almost nine years. Money Matters is a service which helps older people and sometimes younger disabled people with their personal administration.  In other words, if they have a financial muddle we will help them to sort things out and get them organised.

It isn’t hard to be a Money Matters Volunteer, you really just need common sense and not be afraid of paperwork or filling in forms!
A lot of my fellow Volunteers have one or two people they help and that is fine with Age Concern Norfolk but I enjoy what I do so much, I am helping six clients at the moment!  Altogether there are about 120 Money Matters Volunteers all across Norfolk – even so Age Concern Norfolk always needs more as the service grows and grows.
I love doing it – I get good support from Age Concern Norfolk but I can also use my own initiative.  I can plan my workload to fit around the rest of my life and I know that I am making a difference.  I have met some very special people (some grumpy ones too!) but being a Money Matters Volunteer has certainly enriched my life.

If you could do what Marion does and want to find out more please contact Aileen at Age Concern Norfolk on 01603 787111 or email aileen.francis@acnorfolk.org.uk .

Have you ever thought of Volunteering?
If you have ever thought of doing voluntary work but don’t know how to go about it, let me tell you how I came to be an Advocacy Volunteer with Age Concern Norfolk.  My name is Pat and when I took early retirement, I thought about doing some sort of voluntary work.  The trouble was I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, until I saw an article in my local paper.  A local charity was looking for Volunteers to help older people with all sorts of everyday problems, either by speaking on their behalf or advising where they could get help.  The next thing I knew I was working one day a week, meeting people and helping with all kinds of situations.
This organisation was taken over by Age Concern Norfolk about three years ago and since then I have been working for them.  They are a much bigger organisation and cover a much broader spectrum but I still work for the Advocacy Service.  We need more Volunteers – you do not have to have special skills, just experience of life!  You will get all the support you need from a friendly team.  All Volunteers have a Co-ordinator who accompanies you when visiting someone for the first time.  You are always given the opportunity to decline and only take on those cases that you feel comfortable with.
You can claim reasonable travel expenses and commit as much or as little time as you wish.  Whatever you do, in my experience you will get a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment!  So if you have ever thought of doing voluntary work, please get in touch for a chat.  Wherever you live in Norfolk, Age Concern Norfolk needs you!
If you could do what Pat does and want to find out more please contact Lin at Age Concern Norfolk on 01603 787111 or email lin.mathews@acnorfolk.org.uk .
To find out more about Age Concern Norfolk visit www.acnorfolk.org.uk or follow us on twitter @acnorfolk.