Bassetlaw Action Centre seeks volunteers

The organisation, which is based in Retford but covers the whole of Bassetlaw, employs 12 paid staff and 70 volunteers.

Chief executive Lynn Tupling said volunteers are absolutely essential for our organisation to be able to deliver services to those most needy in our society.

“Our volunteers are very valuable to us as without them we simply could not give the help and support that we do to people who really need a bit of help,” she said.

The Action Centre delivers a range of services including a community car scheme where volunteer drivers take people who are unable to make their journey.

Volunteer drivers will take people shopping, to the doctors, to local clubs or just to visit friends.

Car scheme co-ordinator Ruth McKenna said the scheme is a lifeline for many older people who would otherwise be stuck at home and reliant on others.

“Having a volunteer who is willing to take them shopping or just out to see friends is really important. It helps to keep people independent and reduces isolation of many older people,” she said.

The car scheme is only one of several things that the Action Centre offers. The centre has a fully accessible minibus with a range of day trips and short breaks on offer and their latest acquisition is for a fully accessible car which is able to take a wheelchair or even a mobility scooter. The vehicle can also carry 3 further passengers, one of which can benefit from the Turney seat which is fitted to the vehicle. The Turney seat comes right out of the car enabling the passenger to sit on and be lifted into the vehicle – this will be particularly useful for people with limited mobility.

A range of preventative services is also on offer through the action centre including specialist housing information, stroke information and support for stroke survivors and their families and community outreach advisors who are able to visit older and vulnerable people in their own home to offer help and advice to keep them independent.

Every Thursday people can access the Action Centre’s services through the Resource for Older People at the Buttermarket in Retford Town Hall where, in addition, people can purchase refreshments and a home cooked lunch.

The Home Support Service offers practical help with everything from cleaning to meal preparation and is charged by the hour. All Home Support Staff are fully trained, insured and have CRB clearance which gives extra piece of mind.

And there’s more …. A Staying Well programme which is a 6 week self-management course for people living with a long term condition, Bassetlaw Self-Help link, Bassetlaw Share a Ride, Community Ambassadors, First Contact … it is really easy to see why the Action Centre gets its name. The most recent action that the centre is offering is a range of interventions to help keep vulnerable and older people warm with packs being given out to people aged 60 and over, struggling to keep warm, on a low income, or who have a long-term condition or a disability.

Linda Bowskill, 65 of Worksop, recently received her pack and said: “I’ve got an old fashioned heating system and it’s expensive to keep my home warm so these items are really helpful. It’s a great idea.”

The packs contain a woolly hat, room thermometer, thermal slipper socks, sachet of hot drink and an information pack about all of the services the Action Centre provides.

Packs will be available at Bassetlaw Action Centre, Canal Street, Retford or on a Thursday from the Resource Centre at the Buttermarket at Retford Town Hall until stocks last.

For details of the services that the Bassetlaw Action Centre provides or for further information on volunteering opportunities, contact them on 01777 709650.