Community Discharge Support Volunteer

Our Community Support teams provide short-term support to people aged 18+ who have recently been discharged from hospital, in their own homes or on the telephone. The service aims to improve their wellbeing and continue their recovery at home which enables them to maintain their independence. By checking in, listening, and offering reassurance, you help people recover well at home and reduce the chance of a hospital readmission.

What You’ll Be Doing 

As a volunteer, you might help with: 

• Light grocery shopping
• Light household tasks (washing up, changing bedding, tidying)
• Making a cup of tea or coffee and offering companionship
• Collecting prescriptions
• Offering simple IT support to help access services
• Signposting to other relevant services
• Reading letters or assisting with paperwork
• Posting letters or parcels
• Helping someone engage with services they’ve been referred to
• Making wellbeing calls
• Helping with office administrative tasks

Every small action makes a big difference. You can indicate which tasks you would be happy to carry out.

Who We’re Looking For

You don’t need special qualifications, just the right qualities:

• Empathy for older people and the challenges they may face
• Patience, kindness, and reliability
• Enthusiasm and a positive attitude
• Good communication and listening skills
• Sensitivity to people with disabilities
• A commitment to supporting someone in their recovery journey

Time Commitment

We’re grateful for any time you can give.

Ideally, we’re looking for volunteers who can offer 1–2 hours a week for a minimum of 12 months.

We encourage volunteers to attend organised coffee mornings.

Required Checks

To keep our service safe and supportive:

• Two references are needed, one should be from an employer, tutor, or volunteer manager who has known you for at least two years.
• An Enhanced DBS check is required (we cover the cost)

What You’ll Gain

Volunteering with us comes with many rewards:

• A real sense of purpose knowing you’re making a positive difference
• Valuable experience in community and hospital support
• Connection with a warm, friendly, and supportive team
• Development opportunities, including induction and ongoing training

Our Commitment to You

We’ll make sure you receive:

• Full and appropriate training for your role
• Ongoing support from our staff team
• Reimbursement for agreed out‑of‑pocket expenses
• A welcoming, inclusive volunteer community

Join us and help make a real impact in our community. We can’t wait to work with you!

Find out more

To find out more about volunteering with Age UK Buckinghamshire, please click the I'm interested button above and we will be in touch in the next 3 working days.