Activity group lead training
Training 1: an introduction to your role
Re-engage activity groups are free for older people over 75 and run monthly. The activity groups cater to different levels of ability and are run by Re-engage volunteers.
Older people are collected from their homes, by an activity group driver and taken to the activity group venue where they can take part in an activity that gets them moving in the company of other older people.
Your role as an activity group lead volunteer is to take turns leading the monthly session and support other volunteers when it’s their turn to lead. You’ll also socialise with the older people at the gentle exercise group, ensuring that everyone feels supported and listened to.
The gentle exercises, activities, and sports can vary from group to group and month to month depending on what it is the older people enjoy. However, each activity group will contain an activity that gets people moving such as: dance, chair exercises and stretches, boules, skittles, or boccia.
As an activity group lead volunteer, it’s important to check in with the older people to find out which activities they would like before you plan the sessions you’ll be leading.
Important to remember
Activity groups are suitable for older people who:
- Can get in and out of a car with nothing more than a helping hand
- Climb a few steps with nothing more than a helping hand
- Manage their own personal needs such as using the toilet without help
Activity group lead volunteers must not lift or carry older people under any circumstances.
Getting Started
Before you start volunteering at an activity group, you must complete a volunteer application form and have a call with a Re-engage member of staff who’ll check that the volunteer role is right for you.
After your call, you’ll be asked to:
- Submit a reference
- Complete the Re-engage training
- Submit an ID check
“I am so grateful to this service and all the many volunteers who make the groups possible.”
Meeting the activity group coordinator
Once you’re ready to start volunteering the activity group coordinator will be your main point of contact during your time as a Re-engage volunteer.
You may meet the activity group coordinator before you start volunteering, or you may simply have a telephone call with them. Either way, the activity group coordinator will be in touch to welcome you into the activity group and give you all the details for your first gentle exercise group. They’ll also give you the annual schedule for the activity group which will include the dates, times, and the venue of every activity group in the coming year.
Please make sure you look at the dates and let the activity group coordinator know if there are any months when you won’t be able to lead so they’ll have plenty of time to make alternative arrangements.