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Volunteering surges at Accord as almost 250 apply to lend a hand

The number of people applying to be volunteers at one of the largest housing groups in the West Midlands has rocketed with nearly 250 people submitting applications in a matter of months.

Since January this year, 246 people have applied to work as volunteers within the Accord Group, which manages 11,000 affordable homes and provides services to 40,000 people across the region.

In the same period last year just 85 people asked to volunteer at the organisation. The increase is being put down to a number of factors including the turbulent jobs market and an expansion of Accord’s volunteers’ service.

Amongst the volunteers are college leavers, people facing the threat of redundancy, those looking to change their careers and older people who are looking for something to do during their retirement.

Of the 246 enquiries, 106 are currently working as volunteers, or are set to start roles, within Accord’s care homes, support schemes or offices. Others have been sign-posted to volunteering opportunities at local hospitals, charities, hospices and other voluntary organisations.

Irene Casserley, Volunteer Services Manager for the Accord Group, said: “The number of enquiries that we have received since the beginning of the year has been staggering, certainly more than we have ever had before over a similar period.

“And it’s not just young people looking for experience to add to their CVs, we have spoken to people who have worked in industry all of their lives and want a career change or people that have retired but still feel like they have so much more to give.

“We have also come across people who are pre-empting being made redundant and want to get into a new line of work. Whatever the reason, volunteering can and does have a wealth of benefits from giving people the chance to road test a new career to creating opportunities to use a natural talent.”

Valerie Duncan, from Pleck in Walsall, who has volunteered at Caldmore Housing Association’s young parents’ scheme, which is part of the Accord Group, for more than four months, said: “I currently work as a sales advisor but I’d really like a career working with young people.

“By volunteering I’m not only helping the young parents’ scheme but they are helping me to learn and get the right experience and skills that I need.

“The staff at the scheme have made me feel like one of the team and the training I’ve received has been fantastic. I’m now hoping to do a NVQ in advice and guidance and pursue a career in care.”

Janet Ball, aged 72 from Telford in Shropshire, worked at Accord’s Cartlidge House care home for around 30 years before she retired last October. She now volunteers at the scheme up to two days a week.

She said: “I’ve always loved working with the elderly and getting involved in organising outings and activities for them so it’s great that I can continue to do that.

“Nowhere would work without volunteers, from hospitals to charities, and it is good for my health and well-being too to give up my spare time to do something that I enjoy and that keeps me active.”

To find out more about volunteering at the Accord Group, call Irene Casserley on 01922 728 203 or email irene.casserley@caldmorehousing.co.uk

The Accord Group is made up of seven different organisations which provide homes and services, including care and support, to people across the West Midlands including Birmingham, Sandwell, Walsall, Redditch, Coventry and Wolverhampton.