Volunteers needed urgently to operate services.

The Guernsey Voluntary Service are calling for more volunteers to help with the many benefits it offers to elderly islanders.

Mandy Le Bachelet, Manager for Guernsey Voluntary Service says "The organisation started 70 years ago when there were a lot more volunteers than there are now. In 2019 the majority of people work full-time and are too busy to volunteer. Once people retire they tend to look after grandchildren and don't have the time. We have quite a few services which all need more volunteers to keep them going."

Meals on Wheels is one of their services, which picks up ready-made meals from the hospital and takes them to clients who are unable to cook food for themselves. 

To be able to receive the Meals on Wheels Service clients will have to be referred by a medical professional such as a G.P. or a social worker. Currently the service is accessible six days a week with eight volunteers a day on weekdays and six on Saturday's.

Drivers are needed to help cover the rounds that deliver the meals. Round One is the north of the island, round two: Town and St Martins, round three: St Peters, Torteval and St Saviours, and round four: Castel and the West Coast. The Monday shifts for round one and four and the Tuesday shift for round four are the ones that need volunteers urgently.

Another aspect requiring volunteers is the Blood Donor Service which has been going for over 20 years. This sees volunteers contacting registered blood donors and arranging for them to go to the hospital. 

GVS have two Day Centres, the Jubilee Day Centre and the GVS Russels Day Centre. Both of these are staffed by volunteers who provide refreshments, food and comfortable environments.

The Bathing Service is one that currently also needs a lot of volunteers. It provides help to those who cannot bath or shower safely. 

"Without the volunteers we can't deliver the meals, which is very sad because actually the volunteers are sometimes the only people they see that day." says Mandy.

"If the organisation were to employ full-time workers for 35 hours per week, this would equate to an additional 17 staff members. All of these services are provided by volunteers and without them it wouldn't be possible to provide them for our elderly community." 

If you are interested in volunteering please call 01481 247518.