Volunteering

Wanted
At a time when the NHS and Social Services are depending more and more on support from the voluntary sector, we are receiving unprecedented numbers of requests for help with medical transport and shopping. Ironically, this also comes at a time when the anti-car lobby in London and Richmond upon Thames has never been stronger and it is therefore getting far more difficult to recruit volunteers with cars.

Last year, our volunteer drivers drove over 17,000 miles on behalf of FiSH, dropping off shopping and taking clients to appointments at hospitals, GPs, dentists and podiatrists, opticians, therapists and hairdressers!

In October 2021 the ULEZ also impacted our area, and some older members of the community realised that their cars were not compliant and that reaching local shops, GPs and services, including the local crematorium, had become prohibitively expensive. We anticipate this will continue to increase the demands on our services.

Meanwhile, our ongoing need for more volunteers continues and applications are always welcomed. As is our usual policy, all new volunteers are asked to undergo a criminal records check and for the contact details of two referees.

We need a variety of skills including shoppers, car drivers, bus drivers, bus escorts, tea helpers, bakers, gardeners, handypersons... but please note most of our activities take place Monday to Friday and we have a particular need for car drivers.
We are currently very short of volunteers and urgently need more. In particular we need help with the following:
  • Car drivers to provide transport to and from medical and social appointments
  • Bridge players to help run FiSH Bridge
  • Helpline volunteers to answer the phone and match requests for help with available volunteers. Must be computer confident and able to keep calm under pressure!
  • Volunteers to help run our community lunch in East Sheen
  • Bus escorts to provide 1:1 help with shopping trips and outings
  • A volunteer with an understanding of Parkinson's disease to help run our Parkinson's Group
  • Volunteers with an understanding of dementia to help run our Retro Clubs and Picassos in the Park art classes, both of which are attended by those living with memory loss
  • Friendly volunteers able to chat, listen and host MeetUpMondays at the Hare & Hounds and our Coffee Corner at Sheen Lane Library
  • Shoppers with transport to shop and deliver
  • Fundraisers to help with special events

To find out more please call Linda on 020 8876 3336 or complete and return an application form by clicking on the button above.

Why do we need volunteers?

The demands for our service continue to increase and the service we provide is hugely popular.  The more volunteers we have, the more we can do within the community.

FiSH plays an essential role in providing care within the community.  It is able to identify needs at grass root level, enabling small preventative measures to be put in place so that more significant social and health issues can be avoided.  This in turn often lessens the burden on the statutory services.

FiSH helps to bring members of the community together but, long-term, the volunteers of today may become the clients of tomorrow.

What sort of volunteers does FiSH need?

Friendly, practical people.  We need befrienders, escorts, drivers, shoppers, gardeners, listeners, handypeople, chatters, bakers, musicians...  But we'd also love to hear from you if you have clerical skills or specialist skills in IT, marketing, PR, finance or fundraising.

How much time would I need to give?

As much or as little as you can spare. Some volunteers help on a weekly basis, some more occasionally. Some help for an hour, others give a day. Our various activities have varying time commitments, so we can always find an activity to suit you.

How do I become a volunteer?

Complete the application form which is downloadable from the button below. We will then arrange to meet with you. All volunteers need to be DBS cleared before becoming actively involved.

What training does FiSH provide?

FiSH will provide training for volunteers and we encourage all new volunteers to attend a basic induction course within their first six months of service. Other courses are offered in moving and handling people, basic first aid and befriending skills.  For those interested in driving our minibuses, a MIDAS course will be arranged via Richmond and Kingston Accessible Transport (RaKAT).