Helping out in rural areas

Rural living can be wonderful but some people become lonely and have difficulty finding the services they need that help them to live safely and independently.

Village agents are volunteers who provide information and a helping hand to local people to enable them to find the support they need and to engage with the local community.

They provide a face-to-face contact for people who are less likely to use the telephone or internet to access information.

As a known and trusted local resident, their help is often more readily accepted than from a professional.

If you enjoy meeting people, want to get involved in your local area and see people’s lives improve because of your help, this role could be right for you.

Village agents work to make their faces known in their local area by attending events and groups so that people get to know who they are and that they can be approached with queries.

They visit people in their homes in response to queries, and will also provide a helping hand to enable the person to make use of the information provided.

This could be by making a phone call or filling in a form on behalf of the person. They may help to arrange transport or go with a person to a local group for the first time to help introduce them.

Village agents get to know key people in local agencies including the parish or town council, GP surgery and other voluntary organisations working in the area.

Training and support is provided.

They are supported by the accredited Information and Advice Service based in the Winchester office of Age Concern Hampshire.

Village Agents can call a Freephone helpline if they need help with a resident’s query.

To find out more about how a village agent can help you or for more information about becoming a volunteer, contact Freephone 0800 328 7154.

Alternatively call 01962 892443 or complete an application form from ageconcernhampshire.org.uk/ and return as an attachment to villageagent@ageconcernhampshire.org.uk.